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NUTRITION - HEALTH
Consequence of an iron deficiency
(martial deficiency) ?
We observe two scenarios : the martial deficiency
or the iron-deficiency anaemia (decrease of the Proportionately, it’s the same when the iron
level of hemoglobin due to an iron deficit). reserves are too low. This is not always the case
but it’s true that many athletes feel tired when
The martial deficiency, even with no anaemia, the ferritin is low (< 30 μg/L). In this situation,
can manifest itself in a latent tiredness (asthenia), if the blood analysis shows a low ferritin rate, it’s
difficulties to train, disturbance in attention or important to «reload» your iron level!
focus.
In the two cases, it’s very complicated to maintain
An athlete with an iron deficiency can develop a normal training.
an iron-deficiency anaemia, a pathology with
the following symptoms: asthenia, difficulties to Prevention is thus very important especially if you
breathe during an effort, headache, dizziness... train for a season of triathlon loaded in trainings and
In case of iron-deficiency anaemia, the athlete races !
must face an important decrease of his physical
capacities and an intense tiredness.
Metabolism of iron
Everyday the body eliminates a certain
quantity of iron, the iron loss is generated by Coffee and tea are inhibitors
different factors (sweat, urine, stool, blood
loss). These losses are higher for the athletes
and, consequently, for female athletes.
It’s important to pay attention to the quality
of iron nutritional intakes in five special
cases :
1. For «menstruated» female athletes
who loose blood every month.
2. For young athletes for whom the iron
needs are higher because of growth.
3. During an altitude training camp
where the iron needs are higher because of
the hypoxic stress.
4. For very trained athletes for whom
the iron needs are higher because of a loaded
training.
5. Before an altitude training camp or
race. Thus the best strategy is to anticipate the the
problems with a regular iron intake via nutrition.
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