Exercise may lead to more loss of iron in females, which in turn produces serious effects on their health. According to sports medicine experts, active women should pay more attention to iron deficiency in their bodies and take correct measures to remedy it before it really becomes a problem.
1. Problem-Analysis-Solution (问题解决法)
The whole essay is written in a typical problem-analysis-solution-evaluation pattern. Problem:
Now a new study by a team of Purdue University researchers suggests that even moderate exercise may lead to reduced iron in the blood of women. (Para. 1)
Provision of evidence for the problem:
1) Their study of 62 formerly inactive women who began exercising three times a week showed evidence of iron loss; 2) Women who consumed additional meat or took iron supplements were able to bounce back; 3) The new exercisers who followed their normal diet showed a decrease in iron levels. (Paras. 2 - 3)
Analysis of general causes for it:
1) Too many women ignore the amount of iron they take in; 2) Women?s monthly bleeding is a major source of iron loss; 3) Many women increase their risk of iron loss by rejecting red meat; 4) Women are liable to experience a deficiency as a result of restricting their diet in weight control. (Para. 4)
Analysis of specific causes for it:
(1) The average woman takes in only 2/3 of the recommended daily allowance for iron, which would easily cause iron deficiency if they take some exercises. (Para. 5)
(2) Some iron is lost in sweat, and intense endurance exercises may cause iron deficiency through bleeding of the digestive system and bleeding of the blood vessels in the feet. (Para. 6)
Analysis of effects of iron deficiency:
(1) Fatigue and poor performance may begin to appear when not enough iron is present in their blood to form the molecules of blood protein that transport oxygen to the working muscles. (2) When their iron reserves go to zero, people often feel weak, tired, and out of breath — and their exercise performance is severely compromised; and they are in trouble. (Paras. 7 - 8)
Analysis of importance of checking iron reserves:
(1) It is important to check levels of a different compound, which indicates the amount of storage of iron in the blood. (2) Both women and men are at risk of iron deficiency as a result of a high level of active physical exercise. (3) It is advisable for people in these groups to have a yearly blood test to check blood iron reserves. (Para. 9)
Solution to the problem:
(1) If iron levels are low, talk with a physician to see if the deficiency should be corrected by modifying your diet or by taking supplements… (Para. 10)
(2) Select breads and cereals with the words …iron-added? on the label… (Para. 11)
(3) Eat the foods with plentiful Vitamin C to enhance the amount of iron absorbed. (Para.
11)
(4) Cook in iron pans, as food can derive iron from the pan during the cooking process. ( Para. 11)
(5) Avoid drinking coffee or tea with meals, since substances in these drinks can interfere with iron being absorbed into the body. ( Para. 11)