Mineral Wellness Spotlight: Iron

Naturally, Iron Mountain Hot Springs contains iron, the most common element on Earth. Iron (Fe) is No. 26 on the Periodic Table, and humans have found countless uses for the metal since the Iron Age thousands of years ago, including cars, ships, machines, buildings, decorative furniture, frying pans, and, well, irons. In compounds, it shows up in everything from water purification systems to insecticides.

On top of all that, iron is a vital nutrient inside your body. About two-thirds of the iron in your body shows up in hemoglobin, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to all your other cells. If you don’t have enough iron, you won’t get enough oxygen, a condition called iron deficiency anemia. That leads to fatigue, impairs brain function, and weakens your immune system. You also need iron for health cells, skin, hair, and nails. Americans are more likely to lack iron than any other nutrient – including more than 10 percent of women, who need more iron than men, especially when they are pregnant.

Iron is available in many foods, including beef and chicken (especially livers), shellfish, lentils, beans, spinach, enriched breakfast foods, tofu, beans, and pumpkin seeds. Eating those with foods rich in vitamin C like orange juice, strawberries, or broccoli will help your body absorb iron; eating with coffee, tea, or calcium-rich foods can hinder it. Your doctor might recommend a supplement.

You might also gain iron directly through your skin. A 2015 study published in the journal Therapeutic Delivery showed that absorption through the skin could help fight iron deficiency anemia without the side effects of some supplements. “Transdermal iron delivery is a promising approach that could make a huge positive impact on patients suffering with iron deficiency,” the researchers concluded. So your refreshing soak in Iron Mountain Hot Springs might come with even more health benefits than you expected.