The importance of iron for red blood cell production in athletes

Adequate iron is crucial for the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, particularly for athletes undergoing erythroquietic response. Research recommends 200 milligrams of elemental iron per day for athletes with ferritin levels under 150, especially at altitude. Taking iron as a single dose, rather than split doses, can lead to slightly better hemoglobin responses. Additionally, there are dose-response relationships supported by data from Australia.