Iron is a vital mineral the body needs to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the organs. Iron is an essential constituent of muscles and also supports metabolism and is necessary for growth and development throughout every stage of life. When the body doesn’t have enough iron, many parts of the body are affected and one’s overall health is affected. 
 

 

Recommended Dietary Allowance for Iron

According to the Canadian Dietary Reference Intake Guidelines the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs) for Iron is:

Age

Note: The requirement for iron is 1.8 times higher for vegetarians due to the lower bioavailability of iron from a vegetarian diet.