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Spring is the season of renewal and a great time to improve our health.
The first step is a positive resolve to bring balance into your life.
It is important that you take time to relax, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables daily, eat less fat, and maintain an adequate vita- min and mineral balance.
Late nights and excessive lifestyles play havoc on the internal body systems, depleting essential vitamins and minerals, in particular iron, which eventually affects the way you look and feel.
You should check your calcium and magnesium intake, however, most people tend to suffer from an iron deficiency.
Iron is vital to the growth of any living organism.
It not only burns up garbage, it regenerates as well, transporting oxygen to every cell in the body.
Women are more likely to be deficient in iron than men. If this loss is not overcome by including high natural sources of iron in the diet, anaemia can result.
In the animal protein group red meat is the richest source of this mineral, fol- lowed by chicken and fish.
However, iron can also be obtained from other sourc- es, an important factor to consider for vegetarians and those with high cholesterol problems.
It can be found in all of the green, leafy vegetables, particularly in the darker leaves.
Iron is also in high concentration in some seeds, particularly in germ of wheat.
A generous spoonful of wheatgerm sprinkled over your breakfast cereal will almost be enough for your daily requirement.
Natural unprocessed bran gives you plenty of iron and tones up your bowels as well.
Pumpkin seeds are high in this mineral, and sesame seeds follow not far behind.
Herbal teas, such as alfalfa and yellow dock, will add to your iron intake and soya beans are exceedingly rich in it, as are most of the bean family.
Oatmeal is good iron food and will give you a good start to the day.
You can get your daily ration from porridge.
Add fresh seasonal fruit and some wheatgerm and you have a super get-up- and-go breakfast.
Egg yolks are acceptable, providing iron of animal origin that is easily assimilated.
Yoghurt also contains this mineral.
Iron is an excellent food to include in your diet if your digestion is weak, or if you are recovering from an illness.
All leafy green vegetables and even dandelion leaves, with the exception of spinach, which contains oxalic acid that inhibits the body from using the iron it contains, are a good source.
Iron is the mighty mineral that provides the driving force to give us that get-up- and-go to enjoy life just in time for summer.
This feature is brought to you by:
Ocean Drive Family Practice
- Address: 615 Ocean Dr, North Haven NSW 2443
- Phone: (02) 6559 7341