The symptoms of iron deficiency, and many other mineral deficiencies, can be frustratingly vague and non-specific. If you have these symptoms and they are persistent, check in with your local health provider. The testing is as simple, in most cases, as a blood test. 

The 10 most common symptoms are (in no particular order):

• Extreme fatigue
• Generalized Weakness
• Pale skin
• Chest Pain (with or without a fast heartbeat)
• Shortness of Breath
• Headache, Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Cold hands and feet
• Tongue Inflammation and Soreness
• Brittle nails
• Decreased Appetite

Severe iron deficiency may need to be treated with supplementation. Dietary sources of foods rich in iron include:

• Red meats (Beef, Lamb, Bison, etc.)
• Pork
• Poultry
• Seafood
• Legumes such as Beans and Peas
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables, such as spinach

Since we often consume specific foods as part of a meal, combining the above with the following food helps increase iron absorption, as the foods listed below are good sources of vitamin C:

• Cruciferous vegetables like Broccoli
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Leafy greens
• Melons
• Oranges
• Peppers
• Strawberries
• Tangerines
• Tomatoes