The most common side effect from excess iron supplements is stomach upset including discomfort, nausea, diarrohea, constipation, and heartburn. Stools become dark green or black when iron supplements are taken orally. Do not take iron supplements alongwith antacids or calcium supplements at the same time – give a gap of atleast 1-2 hours.
There are some instances in which a high iron diet can prove to be harmful. People suffering from hemochromatosis (a common hereditary disorder where the body is unable to adjust to the amount of iron that is absorbed and stored) need to avoid iron rich foods. This can lead to severe damage to the liver, heart, and pancreas. Chronic liver disease can also result in excessive amounts of iron being stored in the liver - thereby aggravating the damage done to the liver.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron in healthy adults is 10 milligrams per day for men and 15 milligrams per day for premenopausal women. Premenopausal women's needs are higher than men's needs because women lose lots of iron during menstruation.
Pregnant women will need as much as 30 milligrams of iron per day because the unborn baby needs iron for development.
One interesting fact about iron is that it has the ability to regulate how much the body absorbs. When current iron levels in the body are normal, no iron is absorbed. When level gets reduced, the body goes into iron absorption mode.
