About Iron Deficiency
Your body and the role of iron
Iron is the critical nutrient that feeds your body and your brain. It helps your blood move the oxygen from lungs to your muscles, organs, and the rest of the body. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition where a lack of iron in the body leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells. Though everyone is susceptible to developing iron deficiency or anemia at different times in their lives, particular groups of people are more at risk than others.
Iron deficiency is most commonly seen in:
Iron deficiency is often underdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
The causes and symptoms of iron deficiency differ from person to person depending on their lifestyle and life stage. If left untreated, iron deficiency can make people more susceptible to illness and infection.
It is commonly underdiagnosed and can often go unaddressed due to symptoms mimicking other common struggles such as low energy, poor immunity etc.
Iron deficiency risk assessment
Not sure if you have low iron?Take our quiz to see if you have any symptoms of iron deficiency.
If you have concerns about your iron levels, please speak to your doctor.
How much iron do you need?
Your iron needs can vary based on multiple factors such as age, lifestyle, dietary restrictions. Per USDA and Health Canada, the average daily recommended iron intake is as follows:
| Age | Male | Female | Pregnancy | Lactation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 0.27mg | 0.27mg | 0-6 months | |
| 1-3 years | 7mg | 7mg | 0-6 months | |
| 7-12 years | 11mg | 11mg | 0-6 months | |
| 4-8 years | 10mg | 10mg | 0-6 months | |
| 9-13 years | 8mg | 8mg | 0-6 months | |
| 14-18 years | 11mg | 15mg | 27mg | 10mg |
| 19-50 years | 8mg | 18mg | 27mg | 10mg |
| 51+ years | 8mg | 8mg | 0-6 months |
Meeting your daily iron needs just got easier
Dietary iron is a great way to naturally and sustainably improve your iron levels for the long run. The Lucky Iron Fish/Leaf allows you to fortify your daily meals with a boost of iron without any side effects.
There are two types of iron available in our diets: Heme iron and Non-Heme iron.
- Animal-based foods (meats, poultry, seafood, and fish) contain both Heme and Non-Heme iron.
- Plant-based foods (vegetables, grains, legumes, etc.) only contain Non-Heme iron.
While our bodies absorb Heme iron more readily than Non-Heme iron, you can optimize the absorption of Non-Heme iron by pairing it with an acidic source like citrus. Lucky Iron products provide 6-8mg of bioavailable Non-Heme iron per use - making it a gentle and vegan-friendly source of iron.
Iron-packed foods to add to your plate
In addition to the iron provided by Lucky Iron Life's tools, some other iron-rich foods you can aim to incorporate in your diet include:
- Legumes- such as chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, kidney beans
- Liver and other Organ Meats
- Dark leafy vegetables (spinach, kale)
- Shellfish- such as oysters, clams, mussels
- Nuts & seeds, especially pumpkin seeds
- Steak and other red meats
- Tofu, Quinoa, Broccoli, and more
- Chicken, Turkey, Duck and other poultry
A single use of Lucky Iron Life releases 6–8mgof absorbable iron
That is the same as:
Frequently asked questions
For the Fish/Leaf to be effective, the liquid must be at a boiling temperature and at a specific pH level (this is why we need to add a few drops of acidity like lemon juice).
When added to the slightly acidified boiling liquid, the Fish/Leaf will release microscopic iron particles off its surface and into the liquid!
* This is also why it is recommended to use the product in liquid-based meals such as soups, or when making dishes like oatmeal or rice where all the liquid is fully absorbed.
The Fish/Leaf is clinically proven to release safe levels of iron. When used as directed, it releases 6-8 mg of absorbable iron per 1L (4 cups) of liquid (such as soup, curry, or water with 2-3 drops of citrus).
Since most people need up to 18mg of daily iron (depending on age/ lifestyle/ etc.), the Fish/Leaf can provide more than 50% of the daily requirement.
Cooking with the Fish/Leaf regularly is a great addition to your daily diet to ensure adequate iron intake
If used daily, the Fish/Leaf is designed to last ~5 years - that is over 1,800 uses!
As iron is released from the Fish/Leaf, the features on its surface will wear down. After 5 years if will become more brittle and will release less iron. At this point, the "smile" on the Fish and the "stems" on the Leaf will fade. That's when it is time to recycle and replace it.
When used as directed, the Fish/Leaf does not change the taste, colour or smell of the food or water it is boiled in.
If there is a strong taste it is generally because:
- Not washing with soap and water before and after use
- Excessive acidity added - keep it to no more than 2 drops per 1L of liquid
- Boiling for too long