Gregory Chandler on Women Athletes Need More Iron

While at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, I consulted with Army medical doctors about iron supplementation for physically active females. I was informed that physically active females should check their iron levels.

Researchers in a study on iron supplementation in female soldiers during military training explained that low iron impairs mental and physical performance and noted that female soldiers lose iron during military training.

In an effort to maintain good iron levels, scientist gave a test group of female soldiers 20 mg of iron per day or a placebo for eight weeks during basic training. The doctors found cellular signs that iron was decreasing in all participants during training, but the placebo group lost more iron than the iron group. Compared to the placebo group, those who took iron performed better in two-mile running tests and demonstrated better mood in mental examinations.

Researchers concluded that females beginning a higher level of physical training should undergo tests for iron level. Iron supplementation should be considered for those females with low iron levels.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law
Colonel, USAR