Pump that iron!

As many runners know, iron is integral to performance. Iron deficiency and anemia can cause serious setbacks in training anywhere from pure fatigue to more serious injuries. Especially for women, getting enough iron is difficult. Runners need iron for training, but this is complicated by the striking motion which actually depletes iron further. As a result, athletes, especially runners, unknowingly lack the basic minerals to perform optimally. To help combat this problem, it is first suggested that runners take a blood test. Depending on the results, an iron supplement is suggested, however there are other supplements that can help increase low ferrenin levels, which is an underlying cause of iron deficiency. In addition, simple nutritional changes can help increase iron levels and absorption. Most basically, vitamin c helps iron absorption while calcium compromises it, so don't take both a calcium supplement and iron at the same time. Red meat is a good source of iron, though that's not really my deal. In stead, I've found that dried herbs such as thyme contain iron as well as beans, spinach, other leafy greens, fortified cereals, dried herbs such as thyme, and some interesting options such as whale (beluga, specifically). The overarching idea of running nutrition is to get enough of the right foods to fuel and repair the body, and iron is a big part of this. So next time you reach for a fuel food, consider making a choice to help boost your iron levels!