Why Teen Athletes Need More Iron Than You Think

Increased Iron Demand: Intense physical training increases iron demand to support red blood cell production and oxygen delivery.

[{"selector":"#anim-13d42faf-2ec0-4c5c-8303-10bd0d1a2539 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Rapid Growth Spurts: Adolescence requires more iron for rapid growth and development.

[{"selector":"#anim-afda5a48-43f5-4a7d-aa61-20b65a00707e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Menstrual Blood Loss: Female teen athletes lose iron due to menstrual blood loss, increasing their risk of deficiency.

[{"selector":"#anim-b7ea8224-e4d5-40c7-bb6e-f01e0d9e0e33 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(21.916884599928522%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Poor Dietary Intake: Inadequate dietary iron intake can lead to deficiency, especially in vegetarian or vegan athletes.

[{"selector":"#anim-fe5fe545-5489-492b-9992-55e8b1f9d755 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Endurance Activities: Iron deficiency can negatively impact endurance activities like distance running and swimming.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b79a218-6301-4e18-8707-a73cf9524204 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Oxygen Transport: Iron is essential for transporting oxygen to cells, crucial for athletic performance.

[{"selector":"#anim-e2ee6daf-67de-471f-89cf-6afda0d5afe3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Fatigue and Weakness: Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, impacting athletic performance.

[{"selector":"#anim-45dfb33c-f78e-4349-82c8-bdce5b32b68b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Immune Function: Iron supports immune system function, and deficiency can increase illness risk.

[{"selector":"#anim-ab8193f0-92d6-4dbc-8c04-75c60aa70971 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Cognitive Function: Iron deficiency can impair cognitive function, concentration, and memory.

[{"selector":"#anim-0b8101f0-ddab-4b68-878a-9995817f47d2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Higher Risk for Athletes: Teen athletes are at higher risk for iron deficiency due to increased demand and potential inadequate intake.

[{"selector":"#anim-6a52ef77-1d56-48ac-8117-5e72b9d8b732 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

For More Info

[{"selector":"#anim-93908e4a-f765-4967-8e68-ea79847d5e3d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]