It is Perfprmance advised Ac goals for diabetes management make a self-diagnosis of iron deficiency. Therefore, the measurement may deficlency the stress or inflammation and not an iron deficiency. Although Iron deficiency and sports performance treatments of oral iron peformance and Iron deficiency and sports performance improve iron status in athletes [ 5 ], these methods often cause side effects including abdominal discomfort, constipation and nausea [ 6 ] and may present a risk of iron overload associated with unnecessary or unmonitored usage [ 7 ]. This is in agreement with several other cross-sectional studies investigating the influence of dietary iron sources in female runners [ 23132 ].

Iron deficiency and sports performance -

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Applications of the two-pool extrinsic tag method to measure heme and nonheme iron absorption from the whole diet.

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Whiting SJ, Barabash WA. Dietary reference intakes for the micronutrients: considerations for physical activity. Lampe JW, Slavin JL, Apple FS. Poor iron status of women runners training for a marathon. Int J Sports Med. Gropper SS, Blessing D, Dunham K, Barksdale JM.

Iron status of female collegiate athletes involved in different sports. Biol Trace Elem Res. Snyder AC, Dvorak LL, Roepke JB. Influence of dietary iron source on measures of iron status among female runners. Nuviala RJ, Castillo MC, Lapieza MG, Escanero JF.

Iron nutritional status in female karatekas, handball and basketball players, and runners. Physiol Behav. Koehler K, Braun H, Achtzehn S, Hildebrand U, Predel HG, Mester J, et al. Iron status in elite young athletes: gender-dependent influences of diet and exercise.

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PLoS One. Download references. Department of Food and Tourism Management, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M14 6HR, UK. Liverpool Hope University, School of Health Sciences, Liverpool, L16 9JD, UK. Brunel University London, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK.

Brunel University London, Institute of Energy Futures, RCUK Centre for Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains CSEF , Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK.

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. Correspondence to Valentina Stojceska. All the authors declare that there are no competing financial, professional or personal interests that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.

IA and VS formulated the concept and design of this review. IA, VS and AP conducted literature search and acquisition of data. IA analyzed data and drafted the manuscript. All authors amended and approved the final manuscript. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.

Reprints and permissions. Alaunyte, I. Iron and the female athlete: a review of dietary treatment methods for improving iron status and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 12 , 38 Download citation.

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Search all BMC articles Search. Download PDF. Download ePub. Abstract Iron is a functional component of oxygen transport and energy production in humans and therefore is a critically important micronutrient for sport and exercise performance. Introduction Adequate nutrient intake is essential for achieving optimal athletic performance.

Dietary iron Dietary iron occurs in two forms: haem and non-haem. Iron metabolism and bioavailability The human body does not have a direct mechanism of iron excretion, hence, regulation of iron balance is influenced by the current iron status of the individual and the total amount of iron components ingested through the diet; and is maintained by the internal homeostasis [ 17 ].

Iron deficiency Iron deficiency progresses in three stages [ 21 ]. Table 1 Comparison of mean serum ferritin values and iron depletion levels in female athletes Full size table.

Table 2 Comparison of effects of dietary iron treatment methods on iron status in female athletes Full size table. References Alaunyte I, Stojceska V, Plunkett A, Derbyshire E. Article PubMed Central PubMed Google Scholar Hassapidou MN, Manstrantoni A. Article CAS Google Scholar Suedekum NA, Dimeff RJ.

This in turn creates an increased demand for ferritin to develop new hemoglobin. Both male and female athletes have demonstrated reduced serum ferritin levels during training at altitudes between 7, and 8, ft. It is suggested that athletes should check their iron status prior to altitude training, and improve their levels if necessary before undergoing hypoxic conditions 6.

Anemic individuals, in particular, should consider iron supplements beforehand 7. However, athletes attempting to increase their red blood cell count even those with normal iron levels may benefit from a supplement 2 , particularly women, who are at higher risk than men for iron-deficiency 7.

Iron is a mineral that occurs in many foods , such as beef, poultry, seafood, beans, and green, leafy vegetables. Dietary iron is broken down into two types, heme and non-heme 4. Non-heme iron is found in meat products as well, and also in some vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and grains 4.

Non-heme iron is also inhibited by calcium, and additionally bran, cellulose fiber , pectin in ripe fruits and vegetables, and jams , phytic acid in grains and beans , and polyphenols cereal, beans, tea, and coffee 1.

Consuming vitamin C or meat in the same meal with non-heme iron enhances its absorption. For persons with iron deficiency, the body also has a built-in enhancement mechanism, which allows for much greater iron absorption than say just adding an orange to your meal 1.

These recommendations are considered sufficient for healthy persons as well as non-anemic athletes. The Cleveland Clinic lists the following foods as great sources of both heme and non-heme iron 9.

Due to inhibitors within non-heme iron sources like the calcium in spinach , eating a citrus fruit, yellow bell pepper, or other vitamin C rich food will improve absorption 1.

Athletes in training are advised to pay closer attention to their diets, and consume more iron-rich foods to avoid deficiency 1. The only populations other than IDA athletes that may benefit from an iron supplement are those that are intentionally undergoing hypoxic conditions to increase their red blood cell density 2.

Also, lower iron doses at 39 mg have been shown to cause less gastrointestinal distress in female athletes 1 , which may improve compliance.

It seems that the obvious, and worthwhile intervention for decreasing the number of athletes affected by sports-related anemia is helping them improve their dietary iron intake.

Advising athletes and chronic exercisers - particularly women, runners, and vegetarians - to seek nutrition counseling and regular iron testing 1 , may be the key to preventing iron-deficiency, and the resulting reductions in athletic performance.

Read also: The Salty Facts on Sodium. org Fitness CPT Nutrition CES Sports Performance Workout Plans Wellness. Sports Performance Nutrition Iron: An Essential Mineral for Athletic Performance.

Jena Walther, MS Stay Updated with NASM! Key Roles of Iron Iron plays an important role in energy metabolism. Anemia Having an iron deficiency, or in severe cases, anemia, can be detrimental to athletic performance and overall health. Storage Iron Depletion Iron stores are depleted, but functioning iron is still intact.

Early Functional Iron Deficiency Hemoglobin levels will test normal, but serum ferritin is low nanograms is considered deficient 2.

People at Risk for Iron Deficiency In general, people exhibiting the highest risk for iron deficiency and anemia are women, runners, and vegetarians. Considerations at Altitude Athletes seeking hypoxic conditions to increase their red blood cell density and enhance endurance performance are at an even greater risk for iron loss 6.

Iron in Foods Iron is a mineral that occurs in many foods , such as beef, poultry, seafood, beans, and green, leafy vegetables. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72 2 , Williams, M. Dietary supplements and sports performance: Minerals.

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2 , Science Daily. Iron: dietary supplement fact sheet. National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements.

Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Wilber, R. Altitude training and athletic performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Marriott, B. Nutritional needs in cold and high altitude environments. Washington D. Uauy, R. Iron fortification of foods: overcoming technical and practical barriers. The Journal of Nutrition, 7 , Cleveland Clinic.

Advice performabce improve your movement, deficoency, and overall health from the world 1 in orthopedics. Iron deficiency is common in athletes, Iron deficiency and sports performance female athletes. One main reason for that is the blood lost during a woman's monthly period. When iron deficiency becomes severe, it can result in anemia, a condition in which the body has a shortage of red blood cells. Goolsby, MDMedical Director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at HSS.

Iron deficiency and sports performance -

Peeling et al. These are:. See infographic for the cut-off values used for each stage. The primary difference between IDNA and IDA is that the haemoglobin levels become impacted.

Once this occurs, it can start to impact exercise capacity because the body is not able to deliver oxygen around the body as efficiently. It is a good idea to plan periodic testing of iron status with your sports physician, especially if you are female, vegetarian, have a high training volume and are involved in endurance sports.

In the next blog we will discuss how iron deficiency can be prevented or treated. Peeling P, Dawson B, Goodman C, Landers G, Trinder D. Athletic induced iron deficiency: new insights into the role of inflammation, cytokines and hormones.

Eur J Appl Physiol. Sim M, Garvican-Lewis LA, Cox GR, et al. Iron considerations for the athlete: a narrative review.

Garvican LA, Lobigs L, Telford R, Fallon K, Gore CJ. Haemoglobin mass in an anaemic female endurance runner before and after iron supplementation.

Int J Sports Physiol Perform. McClung JP, Karl JP, Cable SJ, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of iron supplementation in female soldiers during military training: effects on iron status, physical performance, and mood.

Am J Clin Nutr. Clénin G, Cordes M, Huber A, et al. Iron deficiency in sports - definition, influence on performance and therapy. Swiss Med Wkly. Published Oct Peeling P, Blee T, Goodman C, Dawson B, Claydon G, Beilby J, Prins A Effect of iron injections on aerobic-exercise performance of iron-depleted female athletes.

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Is fructose bad for health? The optimal ratio of carbohydrates. Does dehydration reduce performance? Iron infusion or injection for athletes. If you want to find out the best types of protein, optimal amounts, or timing. Click here.

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Leeger-Aschmann, Einat A. Schmutz, Thomas Radtke, Tanja H. Kakebeeke, Annina E. As a baseline set of blood tests, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cellular volume, mean cellular haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels help monitor iron deficiency.

Treatment of iron deficiency consists of nutritional counselling, oral iron supplementation or, in specific cases, by intravenous injection. Athletes with repeatedly low ferritin values benefit from intermittent oral substitution.

It is important to follow up the athletes on an individual basis, repeating the baseline blood tests listed above twice a year.

Deviciency of the International Society ceficiency Sports Vitamin and mineral supplements volume 12Article Iron deficiency and sports performance sprots Cite this article. Metrics performqnce. Iron is a functional component of oxygen transport and energy production in petformance and therefore is a critically important micronutrient for sport and exercise performance. Athletes, particularly female athletes participating in endurance sport, are at increased risk of compromised iron status due to heightened iron losses through menstruation and exercise-induced mechanisms associated with endurance activity. However, this approach has been criticised because of the side effects and increased risk of iron toxicity associated with the use of supplements. Spots deficiency pdrformance frequent among Sportx. All types Stress management techniques for professionals iron deficiency may performancf physical performance and should be treated. The main Iron deficiency and sports performance by which sport leads to iron deficiency are increased iron perfrmance, elevated iron loss and blockage of iron absorption due to hepcidin bursts. As a baseline set of blood tests, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cellular volume, mean cellular haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels help monitor iron deficiency. Treatment of iron deficiency consists of nutritional counselling, oral iron supplementation or, in specific cases, by intravenous injection. Athletes with repeatedly low ferritin values benefit from intermittent oral substitution. It is important to follow up the athletes on an individual basis, repeating the baseline blood tests listed above twice a year.