Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Iron
This Office of Dietary Supplements Fact Sheet discusses what iron is, what foods provide iron, what affects iron absorption, what is the recommended intake for iron, when can iron deficiency occur, who may need extra iron to prevent deficiency including pregnancy, iron supplement facts, who should be cautious about taking iron supplements, hot topics around iron, and risk of iron toxicity, It concludes that nutrients should primarily come from food, but dietary supplements “may be advantageous in specific situations to increase intake of a specific vitamin or mineral.”
- Second National Report on Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition in the U.S. Population, 2012 (pages 300-341) and Executive Summary (page 8)
This report provides ongoing assessment of the U.S. population’s nutrition status by measuring blood and urine levels of diet-and-nutrition biochemical indicators. “The prevalence of iron deficiency based on low body iron was higher in Mexican-American children compared to non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white children; it was higher in Mexican-American and non-Hispanic black women aged 12–49 years compared to non-Hispanic white Women.”
- 2005 California Food Guide: Iron Deficiency Chapter (PDF)
Discusses how “health care providers can help prevent and control iron deficiency by counseling individuals and families about their need for iron rich foods and by monitoring iron status.”
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2008). "ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 95: anemia in pregnancy." Obstet Gynecol 112(1): 201-207
This document provides “a brief overview of the causes of anemia in pregnancy, review iron requirements, and provide recommendations for screening and clinical management of anemia during pregnancy.”
Educational Resources to provide education to MCAH Program participants
Black Infant Health (BIH) Program
Note: Brochure is no longer available in hard copy. My Pyramid is outdated, please see MyPlate for Moms or USDA MyPlate.
These handouts provide nutrition information and tips for pregnant women from conception through 60 days postpartum in both English and Spanish. They are intended to support but not replace the information provided by healthcare providers.
These Guidelines were designed by the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division of the California Department of Public Health to assist Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP) case managers in improving the nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating practices of AFLP clients. They can and have been used by other adolescent programs. If interested in modifying or using the materials in any derivative work, contact the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division.
The Guidelines serve as a reference for case managers working with teens. They also provide handouts for motivational counseling and education with adolescents.