According to a recent study, almost one in three Americans may experience weariness and cognitive fog due to an undetected iron deficiency.
Since the illness affects millions of people’s quality of life, especially women, pregnant women, and people with chronic inflammation, experts call for greater public awareness.
JAMA Network Open recently released a research study that says millions of Americans suffer from iron insufficiency-a common but underdiagnosed condition.
A recent Brigham and Women’s Hospital study said that an absolute or functional iron deficiency impacts nearly 30% of adult Americans. The result is bad: exhaustion, brain fogginess, and an inability to concentrate.
According to Leo Buckley, a clinical pharmacology expert, many adults suffering from iron deficiency do not know they have it because a medical issue related to this condition is the only reason doctors may take an iron test.
Hematologist Dr. Andrew Eisenberger, who had no role in this study, points out that iron deficiency has a significantly negative effect on quality of life but does not prove lethal. “People are not able to perform at their best because they are running on fumes,” he said.
The significance of the study is that it especially highlights that women are more vulnerable, especially when they are in their menstrual time or pregnancy periods.
Pregnancy may ensure severe iron deficiency both on the part of mother and the unborn child, which may have long-term developmental effects. Diet is another concern, where vegan or vegetarian diets mostly don’t include enough iron-rich foods like red meat.
