Iron, Hemp & Women’s Health
With National Women's Health Week and Mother's Day right around the corner, let’s support women taking steps to prioritize their health! A key way to do this is by celebrating the power of iron—one of the most essential nutrients, especially for females.
The Importance of Iron for Women’s Health
There is a very high rate of iron deficiency in the U.S. population, and the numbers show women are more likely to be affected than men:
10% of children in the U.S. are considered iron deficient
2% of adult men in the U.S. are considered iron deficient
About 17% of premenopausal women are considered iron deficient, with the following breakdown:
Menstruation is the most common reason for the higher prevalence of iron deficiency in females. Women who menstruate lose blood every month during their menstrual cycle, leading to iron loss. The amount of blood and iron loss varies among women, but those with heavy or prolonged periods are at a greater risk for iron deficiency.
Iron is one of the essential nutrients for female health, necessary for physical growth, neurological development, cellular functioning, and the synthesis of certain hormones.
Let’s celebrate the power of iron for female health during this special week (and beyond!) After all, there’s no better gift than the gift of good health.
What Is Iron, And What Does It Do?
Understanding nutrition can be complicated, so we’ve ironed out the details for you!
Iron is a mineral our bodies need for growth and development. Our bodies use iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to make some hormones.
The many benefits linked to iron include:
Sleep Restoration
Red blood cell production
Normal oxygen transportation
Fatigue reduction
Increased Focus
Improved Stamina.
Healthy pregnancy. For this reason, iron is usually included in pregnancy supplements.
How Much Iron Do You Need?
Iron from food comes in two forms: heme and non-heme. Heme is found only in animal flesh like meat, poultry, and seafood. Non-heme iron is found in plant foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens.
A person's daily amount of iron depends on factors like age, sex, and whether you consume a primarily plant-based diet. For example, Vegetarians who do not eat meat, poultry, or seafood need almost twice as much iron (listed in the table below) because heme iron is more readily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron found in plant sources
Below is a list of the average daily recommended amounts of iron in milligrams:
FOR MALES
FOR FEMALES
Disclaimer: This information was provided b the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and should not replace medical advice.
Iron Deficiency
A lack of iron is called iron-deficiency anemia, which affects about 4-5 million Americans yearly. Undiagnosed or untreated iron deficiency can have severe consequences, including an increased risk of heart or lung complications, like an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure, where your heart cannot pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.
Certain groups are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough.
These groups include:
Teen girls and women with heavy periods.
Pregnant people - During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases, and so does the need for more iron for the growing baby. Getting too little iron during pregnancy increases the risk of iron deficiency anemia and the infant’s risk of low birth weight, premature birth, and low iron levels. Getting too little iron might also harm an infant’s brain development.
Infants (especially if they are premature or have low-birth-weight)
Frequent blood donors
People with cancer, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, or heart failure
Getting too little iron does not cause noticeable symptoms in the short term. However, extended iron-deficiency anemia can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded, and you may experience cold hands and feet. Other symptoms may include weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, problems with concentration and memory, a fast heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
Pump Up Your Iron With Hemp
There are many effective methods to combat iron deficiency and give women the boost they need!
Iron can be found in plants, animals, soil, air, water, meteorites, and rocks. Plants absorb iron through their root systems; animals eat these plants. Humans consume these plants and animals. Some of the greatest iron sources include nuts, dried fruits, dark leafy green vegetables (like spinach and broccoli), tofus, oats, and legumes.
We also encourage you to check Nutrition Facts labels to track your consumption of iron in foods.
If you’re not in the mood for oats and leafy greens, getting your fill of iron can seem challenging. Fortunately, due to its high iron content, our favorite superfood, hemp, is a great way to counteract or prevent iron deficiency.
2 tablespoons (30g) of Hemp Hearts have 3.69mg of Iron.
2 tablespoons (28g) of Hemp Protein Powder have 6.58mg of Iron. Use the chart above to determine your recommended daily intake.
Hemp products, like protein or hemp hearts, are iron-containing foods that are 100% vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
You can increase the absorption of non-heme iron in hemp seeds and other plant-based foods by adding vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruits at meals and snacks. Take a look at our recipes for delicious ways to incorporate more hemp–and iron into your diet: https://www.kannabu.com/recipes.
Here’s how hemp measures up:
Hemp Seeds have 989% more iron than broccoli.
783% more iron than dates.
403% more iron than peanuts.
193% more iron than spinach.
48% more iron than tofu.
68% more iron than oats.
Compare the nutritional content of your favorite foods, including hemp, with this nifty resource: Food Nutrition Comparison. Take a look at last month’s article for a similar exploration into the nutritional value of hemp as it relates to fiber and protein.
Take Iron Deficiency Off Mom’s Plate
Now that you’re basically iron man (or iron woman), inform your loved ones about its benefits. Better yet, give the gift of health this Mother’s Day! Kannabu’s premium hemp products are an excellent source of iron and other essential nutrients.
Plus, we’re giving 5% off almost all products* until May 31st - So strike while the iron’s hot!
Kannabu Öljy Reserve Hemp Seed Oil - Comes with an additional $3 discount!
Kannabu Premium Hemp Protein (From Hemp Seeds)
Kannabu Premium Hemp Hearts (Hemp Seeds)
*The promotion excludes our Salvare Hemp Heart + Protein Bundle.
Whether you are a woman prioritizing your health, a shopper looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, a hemp-enthusiast curious about all the benefits of this miracle plant, or a curious reader expanding their horizons, we hope these nutritional facts encourage you to harness the power of iron during Women’s Health Week and beyond!
To keep reading about the wonderful nutritional values of hemp, visit our past articles:
Worth The Hype? The Truth & Benefits of CBD and Hemp
Let’s Talk About Poop (The Benefits of Hemp Protein)
Make sure to visit Kannabu.com or our Amazon shop to make your order today!
Want to find out more about iron?
For general information on iron:
Office of Dietary Supplements Health Professional Fact Sheet on Iron
MedlinePlus®, Iron , and Iron in diet
For more information on food sources of iron:
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) FoodData Central
USDA, Nutrient List for Iron (listed by food or by iron content)
About the author - Tessa Dines is an award-winning, NYC-based copywriter with BKN Creative. She transforms difficult-to-understand scientific, legal, and industry-specific information into digestible content for curious audiences of any age. Tessa has a green thumb, three cats, and nearly a decade of writing under her belt.
Kannabu, Latinx-Owned, and operated hemp company is challenging the status quo in wellness by optimizing health through easy-to-use hemp-infused superfood options. Based in the United States and Latin America, Kannabu offers consumers products of the highest quality and nutritional value. Contact us with additional questions online or visit Kannabu.com to make your first order today.
*Disclaimer: Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend consulting with a medical professional. As with any addition to your health routine, speak with your healthcare provider before combining CBD products with your current medications to see if this treatment is proper for you.
