Iron is a mineral that our bodies use to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Iron is also used to make myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles, as well as some hormones.

Many people don’t get enough iron from food alone, leading to iron deficiency. If you have low levels of iron, you may want to consider taking an iron supplement to round out your diet.