May has been designated National Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the various health concerns that affect women of all ages. This commemoration reminds women to prioritize their overall health and seek appropriate medical care when needed.
This year, the Office of Women’s Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the agency that oversees National Women’s Health Week, May 12-18, is encouraging women to take charge of their health journeys. Our goal is to help you make yourself shine.” Shedding light on health issues unique to women. ” The agency said on its website that it hopes this year’s commemoration will encourage women to freely express their health needs and concerns.
As I pondered this year’s theme, the issue of iron deficiency came to mind. Iron deficiency is often stigmatized and rarely discussed publicly by women due to its association with menstrual bleeding and socio-economic rank. But this is an issue that deserves the attention of public health officials.
Iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the blood, stands out as a unique nutritional, lifestyle, and biological problem among women of all backgrounds. Women of reproductive age and those approaching menopause are particularly at risk due to factors such as heavy menstrual blood loss and increased iron requirements associated with increased gestational age. A 2022 Centers for Disease Control study found that the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children program increased by 13% from 2008 to 2018; A total of about 250,000 women between the ages of 25 and 64 were found to be anemic. In 2016, anemia-related issues visited the doctor’s office, and in 2021, approximately 38,000 women in the same age group visited the emergency room with similar issues. Young women are also not spared. Research shows that 40% of young women between the ages of 12 and 21 suffer from anemia due to iron deficiency. But in a medically advanced nation, these related statistics reveal to health officials that surveillance of anemia during pregnancy in the United States is limited, highlighting gaps in surveillance and response to this important issue. .
Anemia is classified as a nutritional deficiency, but it is a chronic disease that often has hidden symptoms. In the absence of a nationally coordinated effort to effectively manage iron loss, women need to take active steps to increase their nutrition and health awareness.
Here are some practical steps to increase your iron intake and eat healthier.
- Eat plenty of iron-rich foods – Including green leafy vegetables, sprouted and fermented foods in your diet will increase the absorption of iron into your body.
- Get your day off to a nutritious start – choosing protein-rich and micronutrient-rich vegetables for breakfast is a healthier alternative to processed cereals. Be careful with cereals that are high in iron. Those hidden sugars can contribute to health problems such as obesity and diabetes. Legumes like lentils are great for breakfast because they’re high in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals and low in fat. It also contains complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy.
- Healthier food choices – Monitoring your grocery purchases and choosing prepared meals with fresh produce will improve your nutrition and reduce consumption of unhealthy additives and preservatives found in processed foods. will be reduced. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote overall health.
- Fad diets can help you lose weight in a short period of time, but their effects are short-lived. Adopting sustainable dietary patterns is important for long-term health. This includes making balanced food choices, portion control, and eating nutritious foods.
- Regular exercise stimulates the cardiovascular system and improves circulation and oxygen supply throughout the body. This increases your endurance, stamina, and energy levels. You can maximize these benefits by combining aerobics, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Obesity, on the other hand, impairs iron absorption and utilization and is a risk factor for anemia.
- Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can interfere with the absorption of important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin B12, folate, and calcium that are necessary for overall health. Limiting alcohol intake and practicing moderation can help maintain nutrient absorption and promote good health.
In keeping with this year’s theme, I encourage women to actively learn about their bodies. It is important to openly communicate your health concerns to your health care professional without fear of judgment or negative repercussions that may affect your professional or social life. Women, if you experience any worrisome symptoms such as extreme fatigue, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, dizziness, changes in the color of the whites of your eyes, or pale skin, be sure to check your iron levels regularly. . and other related issues.
About the author
Angeline Jeyakumar is a world-renowned researcher and advocate for improved nutrition for children and mothers. She currently serves as a public health nutrition specialist at the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, where she is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. Read more about her background.
