Iron is more than a figure on a blood work report—it's the foundation of a woman's energy. From the moment menstruation begins to the final stages of menopause, a woman's need for iron isn't fixed; it varies, develops, and becomes even more essential. Underestimated and underappreciated, iron is not only vital for maintaining healthy blood but also for making energy, keeping the mind functioning, supporting the immune system, regulating hormones, and maintaining good moods. As women progress through the different hormonal stages of life, fluctuating iron levels can deeply impact their quality of life, making this mineral a non-negotiable part of lifelong health planning.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency on earth, and it disproportionately affects women. An estimated 38% of pregnant women and 29% of non-pregnant women around the world suffer from anaemia—most frequently resulting from iron deficiency. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) peaks in reproductive ages, pregnancy, and early motherhood.

This is due primarily to menstruation, in which repeated monthly blood loss drains iron stores, and augmented further in instances of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), present in as many as one-third of menstruating women. Iron is still important even after menopause, although for other purposes—maintaining immunity, intellect, and metabolism in the absence of monthly loss.

Menstrual Years

Menstruation makes women aware of their life-long connection with iron. Every menstrual cycle, women lose approximately 30–40 millilitres of blood, which amounts to about 15–20 milligrams of iron. In individuals suffering from HMB, frequently due to fibroids, PCOS, or endometriosis—or for whom no cause is identified—the loss of iron is even greater. Unless replenished by a diet rich in iron or by supplements, the loss can cause fatigue, impaired concentration, pallor, and compromised immunity—typical manifestations of IDA.

Actually, iron lost during menstruation is in the form of haem iron, which is more bioavailable than non-haem iron from plant foods. Nevertheless, regular dietary intake is necessary.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

While pregnant, a woman's blood supply is increased by almost 50% to supply the developing fetus, placenta, and maternal tissues. This increase drastically elevates the requirement for iron. A deficiency here not only poses a risk to the mother but can influence fetal brain development, birth weight, and preterm delivery risk.

Postpartum, iron is still important. Between delivery blood loss and the iron requirements of lactation, most new mothers are struggling with fatigue and low immunity—not only from sleepless nights but because their iron stores haven't been replenished.

Menopause

Most think that postmenopause, iron is obsolete. Although the monthly blood loss ends, the body continues to need iron for metabolic processes, production of red blood cells, and immune system protection. Further, iron serves to fight off age-related muscle loss and for brain health—two of postmenopausal women's top concerns.

As per Shimpli Patil, Head Nutritionist & Lifestyle Expert, "Even without periods, iron is still essential for vitality, immunity, and brain health. Low iron levels are common in many women not only because of diet but also because of poor gut health and ongoing stress."

It's a myth that simply consuming more iron does the trick. The fact is that iron uptake is a multifaceted process, which depends on gut health, stress, and the availability of inhibitors like calcium, tea, and coffee.

"Many women nowadays are suffering from low iron not just because of nutritional deficiencies but also compromised absorption," Patil says. "So, it's not merely about consuming more iron but making sure the body is indeed absorbing it."

Foods That Naturally Boost Iron Levels

Patil advises a combination of traditional and contemporary nutrition to sustain iron levels:

Garden cress seeds (Halim/Aliv): Small but mighty, particularly when soaked overnight and eaten with lemon juice for maximum uptake.

Moringa leaves: Packed with plant iron and antioxidants.

Dark leafy greens: Spinach, amaranth, dill, and colocasia.

Broccoli: Both high in iron and Vitamin C.

Pumpkin and sesame seeds: Convenient snack ingredients with a mighty iron kick.

Wheatgrass: Rich in "green hemoglobin."

Dried fruits: Dates, raisins, and figs make excellent instant iron boosters.

Organ meats: Especially liver, when obtained responsibly.

Tips to Maximize Iron Intake

To make the most of your iron-rich foods:

• Always combine iron sources with Vitamin C (consider: lemon juice, oranges, amla) to maximize absorption.
• Avoid tea, coffee, and milk an hour before or after an iron-rich meal to avoid interference with absorption.
• Consider supplements if you are at high risk or have a diagnosed deficiency, under medical guidance.

Why Iron Count Is About More Than Numbers?

"Iron isn't only about lab tests. It's about energy, clarity, healthy hair, radiant skin, and bouncing back," states Patil. "Healing occurs when we feed with simple, seasonal foods, and care for the gut."

Women need to be in charge of their iron requirements at all stages—by tuning into their bodies, seeing experts, and making informed food choices. And for goodness' sake, iron isn't all about blood—it's the building block of life and health for every woman.

Ms Shimpli Patil is the Head Nutritionist & Lifestyle Expert at Luke Coutinho Holistic Healing Systems (LCHHS) in India

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease after the famed 1930s New York Yankees player, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that continues to challenge scientists and impact thousands of lives each year. May is recognized as ALS Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to raise awareness, deepen public understanding, and support ongoing research and care.

What is ALS?

ALS targets motor neurons—nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary muscle movement. When these neurons degenerate and die, the brain can no longer communicate with muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. Most individuals with ALS retain their cognitive function, but lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe without assistance. The disease progresses over time, with most patients surviving between two to five years following diagnosis.

ALS presents in unique ways from person to person. It can begin in the limbs (limb-onset) or in muscles related to speaking and swallowing (bulbar-onset). While no cure currently exists, treatment advancements have offered hope for improved quality of life and extended survival.

Who is Affected by ALS?

ALS can affect anyone, though it is most commonly diagnosed between ages 40 and 70. According to the CDC, around 5,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, with about 30,000 people living with the disease at any given time.

There are two major types of ALS:

Sporadic ALS: This is the most common form, accounting for 90% of cases. Though it appears without family history, a portion of cases may involve genetic mutations.

Familial ALS: Representing about 5% to 10% of cases, this inherited form results from specific genetic changes.

Certain groups are at higher risk. Military veterans and firefighters are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS—potentially due to environmental exposures, physical trauma, or toxins encountered during service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-connected condition, entitling veterans to specialized care and benefits.

Recognizing Symptoms

Symptoms of ALS can vary widely but often begin with muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, or difficulty with speech or swallowing. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience:

• Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes
• Muscle atrophy, particularly in the hands and legs
• Bulbar symptoms like difficulty speaking (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia)
• Emotional lability (pseudobulbar affect)
• Breathing difficulties

While ALS primarily affects motor function, cognitive or behavioral changes occur in up to 50% of patients. Around 10% to 15% may develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Causes and Diagnosis

Though the exact cause of ALS remains unknown, genetic factors play a key role in some cases. Mutations in genes such as SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDBP are linked to the disease. Environmental triggers—like toxin exposure, viral infections, and intense physical activity—are also being studied.

ALS is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through clinical evaluation, EMG tests, genetic screening, and imaging such as MRI. Early diagnosis is essential to access therapies and plan care.

There is no cure for ALS yet, but treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and tofersen (for those with SOD1 mutations) can slow progression. Promising research areas include gene therapy, RNA-targeted treatments, biomarkers like Neurofilament Light Chain, and artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized care.

Washroom visits do not raise big alarms for people, sometimes it may feel like you are urinating a lot or not urinating enough. However, frequent bathroom visits can be a big issue. While you may believe that your bathroom visits have been caused by too much fluid intake, it could be due to your high blood sugar levels. According to Mayo clinic, if you are having symptoms like being very thirsty, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision and unexpected weight loss can be a sign of diabetes.

Testing for diabetes is also important for anyone experiencing early symptoms of the condition. However, these symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually, meaning people may have type 2 diabetes for several years before receiving a diagnosis.

Many individuals live with diabetes without realizing it. Because of this, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends routine diabetes screening for most adults starting at age 35. For those who are overweight and have additional risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, the ADA advises earlier screening.

How Frequent Urination Is A Sign Of High Blood Sugar

The Mayo Clinic explains that experiencing greater thirst and needing to urinate more often are common indicators of diabetes. In individuals with diabetes, excess blood sugar, also known as glucose, builds up in the bloodstream. This forces the kidneys to work harder to filter and absorb the extra glucose.

When the kidneys can't keep up with this overload, the excess sugar is excreted into the urine. This process draws fluids from the body's tissues, leading to dehydration and a sensation of intense thirst. Consequently, drinking more fluids to satisfy this thirst results in even more frequent urination.

How Your Body Reacts To Excess Insulin

Diabetes.co.uk explains that normally, the kidneys can filter and reabsorb glucose from the blood. Frequent urination due to high blood sugar levels is also known as polyuria. It is a key indicator of diabetes mellitus, which is a condition that affects kidneys and hormones that interact with them. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, impairing its ability to produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body may develop insulin resistance, where it no longer responds effectively to insulin, causing blood glucose levels to rise.

Normally, the kidneys filter blood to produce urine and reabsorb all the sugar, returning it to the bloodstream. However, in diabetes, blood sugar levels are abnormally high. The kidneys can't reabsorb all this sugar, so some of the excess glucose ends up in the urine, drawing extra water along with it. This leads to increased urine production.

Polyuria can be a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. It can also occur in people already diagnosed with diabetes if their blood glucose levels become too high. When blood sugar levels are excessively high, the body tries to get rid of the extra glucose through the kidneys. This process also causes the kidneys to filter out more water, resulting in the need to urinate more frequently. Keeping this in mind, if you are also experiencing frequent urges to urinate, reach out to a healthcare professional for help.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly. As per the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lip forms between the fourth and seventh weeks of pregnancy. During development, body tissue and cells from each side of the head grow towards the center of the face. They join together to form facial features like the lips and mouth.

So, How Does Cleft Lip Happen?

A cleft lip happens if the tissue making up the upper lip does not join completely before birth, leaving an opening. The opening can be small, or it can go through the lip into the nose. A cleft lip can be on one or both sides of the lip. It can also be in the middle of the lip. Children with a cleft lift can also have a cleft palate.

A cleft palate happens if the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth, which is the palate does not join together. It could be the front and back part of the palate which remains open, or partially either of them remain open.

Together, these birth defects are called orofacial clefts.

To know more about this condition and whether it is necessary to get it fixed surgically, we spoke to Dr Niranjan Kumar, Consultant, Plastic Surgeon, and Vice-Chancellor of SDM University.

Is Surgery Necessary?

Dr Kumar pointed out that if cleft lip or cleft palate is not fixed through surgery, then it could lead to problems in feeding, leading to nutritional deficiencies and growth retardation. There will also be a delayed in speech, delayed eruption and malocclusion of teeth. It could also lead to recurrent chest infections, frequent middle ear infections and then lead to defective hearing.

" If neglected, this defect adversely affects the social life of child due to the inferiority complex associated with the appearance and defective speech. This leads to the retardation of the child's overall personality development," said Dr Kumar.

SDM Craniofacial surgery and Research Center has also started its own program in collaboration with Dharwad and The Smile Train, New York, USA of free treatment to fix these conditions in children.

Dr Kumar pointed out that in India, this happens to 1 on average of 550 live births. This means that there are more than 10 lakhs cleft children in the country.

What Causes It?

"There are no definite causes for cleft deformity. But, genetic factors and changes in the fetal environment have been implicated as possible causes. Illness during the pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, ingestion of harmful medications and exposure to contagious diseases during pregnancy may also be the contributing factors," the doctor explained.

Available Treatments

Dr Kumar points out that affected children if treated at early age, have a better chance of leading a normal life like any other normal children.

"Surgical treatment is the only solution. The surgery for cleft lip and palate can be performed from 6 months of age. However, it depends on the growth and development of the child at that particular age. For the effective treatment of the defect, it may require 2 to 3 surgeries and this depends on the severity of the defect," he explained.

Steps to be followed by the parents of a child with cleft lip and palate deformity: When a child is born with a defect, the parents should not get disheartened. They should consult the concerned doctors and follow their instructions. As far as possible breast feeding should be encouraged.