Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
Iron is key to mood and mental health as it plays a key role in oxidative metabolism and the reduction of free radicals. It is also a cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin. Your neurotransmitters are serotonin, dopamine, beta-endorphins, and GABA.
And since iron is an essential part of the systems and circuits in the brain that can dictate psychological behaviors, low iron levels in the body may make you more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Iron deficiency anemia and depression
According to a 2020 study , iron deficiency anemia can increase a person's risk of depression. Iron deficiency can cause low levels of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter and mood stabilizer.
Multiple studies in people with and without mental health diagnoses have showed improvements in mood and fatigue after iron supplementation, even if they didn't meet the criteria for iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron pills don't work for everyone, but they do help support energy levels and reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue. The body needs iron to produce red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. If you experience ongoing tiredness and fatigue, consider taking an iron supplement such as Active Iron.
And since iron is an essential element for brain functions that can dictate psychological behaviours, low iron levels in the body may put you at risk for a variety of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Iron is an important Co Factor for serotonin production as it is involved in the conversion of tryptophan into 5HTP, and 5HTP to serotonin.
However, even low-grade iron deficiency can lead to more immediate cognitive or neurological symptoms, such as fatigue, trouble concentrating or dizziness. Lack of iron has also been associated with memory and attention problems, as well as poor cognitive development in children.
Since both a deficiency and an excess of iron can negatively impact brain function, the body's regulation of iron transport to the brain is crucial.
Those that are anemic are placing their body under a great deal of stress, and this often sends messages to the brain to be more anxious. Further, the brain may not be getting enough healthy blood, and the symptoms of anxiety (such as heart palpitations) may cause anxiousness on their own.
When your body isn't getting enough oxygenation due to a lack of iron, you may find it hard to maintain focus and carry out your daily tasks. In addition, you may experience mood swings and irritability. Over time, in some cases, it may cause anxiety and depression.
Having a mineral deficiency like iron deficiency anemia can predispose people to hyperventilate and experience panic attacks at a higher rate than those without anemia.
Low iron intake resulting from diet and accelerated iron loss, which occurs through bleeding or breastfeeding, are the main causes of iron deficiency. The first symptoms of iron deficiency anemia tend to be neurological resulting in brain fog and fatigue.
Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to make some hormones.
If you remember, anemia makes it so your organs don't get enough blood to function at 100%. When this happens in your brain, the blood vessels in your brain swell and cause the pressure that sets off a headache. This same pressure may also cause lightheadedness or dizziness.
– It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks of taking regular iron supplements before your symptoms start to improve. – You may need to keep taking iron for several months to build up your iron reserves and keep your anemia from returning. Take your pills for as long as your doctor recommends, even if your symptoms have improved.
Iron gives you energy because it allows your tissues, muscles and cells to receive and absorb oxygen.
The key iron-regulatory hormone, hepcidin (HAMP or HEPC), controls systemic iron homeostasis through its ability to negatively regulate ferroportin, its cognate receptor (1, 19) (Figure 1). Hepcidin regulates systemic iron homeostasis.
Living with hemochromatosis may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress.
People with low iron levels in their blood, a condition known as anaemia, are thought to be more at risk of developing problems with thinking, communication, understanding and memory.
Some signs that iron pills are working for iron deficiency anemia include increased energy, less weakness, and less shortness of breath or dizziness. However, since iron deficiency anemia does not always cause symptoms, people may not display any clear signs that iron pills are or are not working.
Iron affects synthesis and signaling of the neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenalin, adrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine, which are involved in emotion, attention, reward, movement, and various other functions.