In the late 80’s and early to mid 90’s this was the question I was most often asked as a vegetarian and then vegan. Of course, this was also the same time as a massive campaign was running about women and iron levels, encouraging them to eat more beef.

What is iron and why do we need it?

Iron is a mineral that we need to serve two main functions. The first is to help the red blood cells transport oxygen around the body, and the second is to help break down fats and carbohydrates into carbon dioxide and water, and thus produce energy.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world and means there is insufficient oxygen in the blood to be transported to the cells and results in weakness, fatigue and poor immunity among other symptoms. A chronic deficiency causes anaemia.  Read More →