STRUGGLING WITH EXAMS? LOW IRON LEVELS MIGHT BE THE HIDDEN CULPRIT

WITH exams coming up, many South African students are busy with past papers and late-night study sessions.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

AS EXAMS loom ever closer, it's crucial for both students and parents to recognise the vital role nutrition plays in academic achievement. Supplied

(Supplied)

But there’s another factor that can quietly get in the way of revision: low iron levels and anaemia, which are often overlooked.

Research shows these issues don't just affect your health; they can impact memory, focus, mood, and how well your brain handles stress. If you or someone you know is studying hard, paying attention to iron levels can really help, and there are steps you can take.

Anaemia refers to a condition where there aren't enough healthy red blood cells (or enough haemoglobin) in the blood, which means less oxygen gets to your brain and muscles. Low iron stores, even before full anaemia develops, can have similar effects.

For adolescents, whose bodies and brains are still developing, this is especially important. In South Africa, studies show that many teenagers have an iron deficiency or low iron levels, even if they’re not officially anaemic.

For example, a study of adolescents in Cape Town’s psychiatric inpatient unit found that about 22.6% had iron deficiency, and 7.6% were already anaemic.

When iron levels are low, students may feel constantly fatigued, find it harder to concentrate, and experience what many describe as “mental fog’, says Sister Karin Davidson of the Cape Town Infusion Centre.

“These symptoms often peak during exam time, making an already stressful period even harder to manage.”

Female students were especialh vulnerable due to several factors, suc] as menstruation, which causes iron loss, growth spurts, which increase nutritional demands, and dietary habits that may not provide enough iron.