Here’s what is really behind the tiredness epidemic sweeping the UK… and how you can beat it
With women particularly prone to unexplained exhaustion, many Brits are letting their lethargy get it the way of everyday life
IF you find yourself constantly feeling tired, there may be a simple explanation you're overlooking - and it's got nothing to do with your age.
With women particularly prone to unexplained exhaustion, many Brits are struggling to recharge, letting their lethargy get it the way of everyday life.
, TV’s Dr Hilary Jones and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Derbyshire revealed the reason you could be finding yourself dozing off at work.
The reason for this could be down to iron deficiency, which is one of the most common causes of unexplained tiredness.
Iron is important because it helps your red blood cells carry oxygen around the body - and without enough oxygen, your organs and tissue just can't work effectively.
Dr Hilary said: "One of the most common things I see in my surgery is people feeling worn out.
"If we can’t figure out what’s making them tired from their lifestyle, we’ll do a blood test and check their iron levels."
Other symptoms of iron deficiency include palpitations, feeling dizzy, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, and headaches - and some people are more at risk than others.
Menstruating women are more likely to be lacking in iron due to blood loss, as well as particularly active and sporty women.
The fact that the easiest to digest iron can be found in meat means vegetarians are also vulnerable, as well as sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which prevents the digestion of some nutrients.
Dr Hilary explains the reason why over a quarter of women aged 19 to 64 aren't getting enough iron.
She said: "There’s been a drop in the amount of iron people are consuming and it’s down to changes in eating trends.
"People are eating 13 per cent less red meat than they used to, which contains the most easy-to-absorb form of iron."
Thankfully, there are a few ways you can easily up your iron intake, with Vitamin C capable of improving iron absorption by up to 180 per cent.
This means that a glass of orange juice with your meal could help your body access as much iron as possible.
Conversely, some foods - such as milk, tea, beans and chilli - hinder iron absorption, so should be limited.
Iron supplements can offer a way to deal with a deficiency, but many women complain of unpleasant side-effects after taking them.
The body only absorbs as much iron as it needs, yet tablets typically contain far more than this amount.
This leaves excess iron in the gut, which causes side-effects such as constipation, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea.
Dr Emma says: "In an ideal world, every patient would be tested and prescribed an appropriate level for their deficiency.
"Many people have had such bad experiences with traditional supplements they have been put off."
