Iron (Fe) is a soft metal and is silver in color. Iron occurs naturally in nature, and it can be found in large quantities.http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/pages/data/iron_data.html Iron is found in other metals, the sun, the Earth’s core, meteorites, and in living organisms.http://www.webelements.com/iron/geology.html Iron is one of the cheapest metals to purchase and manufactures use it to produce products. Iron is one of the elements used to make steel.http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/pages/data/iron_data.html

Iron is a reactive metal, and when it is exposed to other elements, oxidization occurs. When pure iron is exposed to air or water, the surface will react by peeling off or forming rust.http://www.webelements.com/iron/chemistry.html

Iron is not used on it’s own in production. It is usually added to other metals to make items such as stainless steel. Cast iron cookware is one of the few manufactured products made of pure iron.http://www.holidaycook.com/cast-iron/history.shtml

Humans need iron in order to survive. Iron is one of the components that make hemoglobin, which transports oxygen thorough out the body. Low levels of iron may cause iron deficiency anemia, too much iron is poison to the body.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=70 Low iron levels may be caused by a heavy menstruation, not eating a balanced diet that contains enough iron such as being a vegetarian or having an eating disorder like anorexia, an unknown source of internal bleeding, and the inability to absorb nutrients because of intestinal diseases such as celiac disease. A blood test can determine iron levels in the blood.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-topic-overview Sources of iron are soybeans, lentils, spinach, tofu, sesame seeds, kidney beans, raw pumpkin seeds, venison, chickpeas, and navy beans.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=70

A blood test will determine the level of iron in the blood. Complete blood count (CBC), reticulocyte count, and ferritin levels are tested for iron deficiency.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-exams-and-tests Iron supplements, or a blood transfusion are prescribed to raise iron levels.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-treatment-overview

The amount of iron in a daily diet should be:

• 7 to 12 months: Males 11 mg, Females 11 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• 1 to 3 years old: Males 7 mg, Females 7 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• 4 to 8 years old: Males 10 mg, Females 10 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• 9 to 13 years old: Males 8 mg, Females 8 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• 14 to 18 years old: Males 11 mg, Females 15 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• 19 to 50 years old: Males 8 mg, Females 18 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• 51 years old plus: Males 8 mg, Females 8 mghttp://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000179§ionid=00015
• Pregnant women: 27 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-iron
• Breastfeeding women: Under 19 years old 10 mg, 19 years and older 9 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-iron

• Feeling lethargic and weakhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-symptoms
• Dizziness and headacheshttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-symptoms
• A pale appearancehttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-symptoms
• Shortness of breath and heart palpitationshttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-symptoms
• Food cravings for non-food items such as dirt or icehttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-symptoms

When there is too much iron in the blood, it can cause iron poisoning. Symptoms of iron poisoning appear six hours after ingesting. The symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stool or vomit. Iron toxicity in children can cause death.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-poisoning

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.