Transcript: Here’s a riddle for you: Up to 80 percent of the world’s population is deficient in this, yet 100 percent of people NEED it! It’s iron! This essential nutrient is integral for transporting life-giving oxygen to all parts of the body. Most iron is stored in hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. A shortage of iron can lead to the serious condition, iron deficiency anemia. Signs of iron deficiency anemia include fatigue, weakness, and increased susceptibility to infection. To avoid this, men and post-menopausal women need 8 milligrams of iron daily. Pre-menopausal women need 18 milligrams, particularly those who experience heavy bleeding during menstruation. Get iron by consuming animal proteins that originally contained hemoglobin, like red meats, chicken and fish. Iron in plants, like beans, and fortified foods, like cereal, is not as easily absorbed, but is an option.  Be sure to get enough iron daily, so you can stay within the healthiest 20 percent of the population!