<p>Iron is an essential constituent of the body, being necessary for haemoglobin formation and for the oxidative processes of living tissues. Iron is primarily absorbed from the duodenum and upper jejunum. The ferrous salt form is absorbed three times more readily than the ferric salt form. The adult male has a requirement of only 13 &micro;g/kg per day (about 1 mg), whereas the menstruating female requires about 21 &micro;g/kg per day (about 1.4 mg). In the last two trimesters of pregnancy, requirements increase to about 80 &micro;g/kg per day (5 to 6 mg). Folic acid is an important factor in cell division and without it, division stops. Adequate folic acid is required for normal erythropoiesis. Deficiency of Folic Acid causes megaloblastic anaemia</p>