Iron

Recommended Daily Allowance: (FDA) 15 mg for infants.

                                                  15-20 mg for children.

                          18 mg for adolescents, adults, pregnant and lactating women.

Physiological Effects: Necessary for hemoglobin formation.  Found in many enzymes.  Important to muscle physiology.  Involved in protein metabolism.  Growth in children.

Deficiency Disorders: Headaches, anemia, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, pallor, constipation, lethargy, anorexia, shortness of breath, tachycardia.  Loss of hair, loss of resistance to infections.  In-coordination, impairment of the IQ, brittle nails.

Natural Sources: Liver, heart, yeast, lean meats, eggs, whole grains, grapes, raisins, apricots, molasses, dates, dried beans and peas, fish, poultry, nuts, oatmeal, wheat germ, clams and oysters.

Synergistic Substances: B12, folic acid, Vitamins C and D, HCl, gastroferrin, calcium, cobalt, copper, phosphorus.

Antagonistic Substances: Phosphates, oral contraceptives, coffee, tea, manganese, excessive intake as zinc and copper.