Iron deficiency affects millions and impacts athletic performance

Iron deficiency affects millions of people across Europe, with prevalence rates estimated between 5% and 10% according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Women before menopause and children are identified as particularly high-risk groups.

Dietary intake plays a critical role in maintaining hemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen transport. While heme iron from animal sources is highly bioavailable (15% to 35%), non-heme iron from plant sources like lentils and spinach has a much lower absorption rate of 2% to 20%. Consuming vitamin C alongside plant-based iron can significantly improve absorption.

In the context of athletics, iron deficiency can impair endurance performance even in subclinical stages. Female endurance athletes are especially vulnerable, with some studies reporting prevalence rates as high as 60%, compared to 10% to 35% in male athletes. Risk factors for athletes include gastrointestinal blood loss, hemolysis, sweating, and hormonal responses that can reduce intestinal iron absorption.