The element of fitness success: iron deficiency may be sapping your energy and hurting your performance. Here's how to turn the tables

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, April, 2003 by Bob Lefavi

REFERENCES

1. Martinez, A.C., Camara, F.J., Vincente, G.V. Status and metabolism of iron in elite sports-men during a period of professional competition. Biological and Trace Element Research 89(3):205-213, 2002.

2. Qian, Z.M. Nitric oxide and changes of iron metabolism in exercise. Biological Reviews 77(4):529-536, 2002.

3. Fallon, S.D., McMillan, J.L., Lefavi, R.G. Reduction of serum ferritin in male and female cross country runners during a compentive season. Journal of Applied Sport Science Research 5:162, 1991.

4. Eichner, E.R. Fatigue of anemia. Nutrition Reviews 59:S17-19, 2001.

5. Looker, A.C., Dallman, P.R., Carroll, M.D., et al. Prevalence of iron deficiency in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association 277:973-976, 1997.

6. Brownlie, T., Utermohlen, V., Hinton, P.S., et al. Marginal iron deficiency without anemia impairs aerobic adaptation among previously untrained women American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 75(4):734-742, 2002.

7. Zhu, Y.I., Haas, J.D. Iron depletion without anemia and physical performance in young women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 66:334-341, 1997.

8. Ramakrishnan, U., Kuklina, E., Stein, A.D. Iron stores and cardiovascular disease risk factors in women of reproductive age in the United States. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76(6):1,256-1,260, 2002.

Robert G. Lefavi, PhD, CSCS, CHES, is associate professor in the College of Health Professions, Graduate Program in Sports Medicine, at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia.

BY BOB LEFAVI, PHD, CSCS, CHES