Iron is absolutely vital to the health and development of your child. Without sufficient levels of functioning and stored iron, cognitive and physical growth is hindered and lifelong consequences may develop. As with nearly all minerals, there are various factors affecting the bioavailability of dietary iron. In order to better understand the absorption of iron, it is necessary to understand the mineral itself, and how it is utilized by the body.

When we breathe in, oxygen flows into our lungs. Our heart pumps blood to and from our lungs, where red blood cells containing hemoglobin bind the oxygen molecules. Red blood cells circulate throughout the body, providing necessary oxygen to our muscles, brain, vital organs, etc.

Without enough iron, our red blood cells will not produce sufficient hemoglobin to adequately bind oxygen and carry it throughout the body. Not only will our bodies lack hemoglobin, but without iron, our bone marrow will be unable to produce effective red blood cells.