The main reason for iron deficiency anemia is the reduction of iron content in the body, and the reduction of iron in the body may be related to insufficient iron intake, increased iron demand and excessive iron loss.
1. Insufficient iron intake: The Chinese Nutrition Society suggests that the recommended dietary iron intake for adult women is 20mg per day, and for men is 12mg per day. when there is insufficient dietary iron intake for a long period of time, or when there is an iron absorption disorder in the body, it will cause a lack of iron in the body and thus lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which is commonly found in the populations of infants, young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
2. Increased iron demand: when individuals are in special physiological stages such as growth and development, pregnancy, lactation, etc., the body’s demand for iron will increase. If the individual does not increase the intake of iron, it will lead to a relative lack of iron content in the body, which may lead to iron deficiency.
3. Excessive iron loss: long-term chronic blood loss is the most common reason for excessive iron loss in the body, such as chronic gastrointestinal blood loss, excessive menstrual flow in women. When there is long-term chronic blood loss without timely supplementation, it will lead to a gradual decrease in the body’s iron content, which may cause iron deficiency anemia.
When iron deficiency anemia exists, iron should be supplemented in a timely manner under the guidance of a professional doctor, including ferrous succinate and other drugs, while avoiding the toxic effects that excessive iron supplementation may cause to the body.