What amount of iron should we eat in a day?

The amount of iron an individual should eat in a day depends on the age, gender and health condition of the person, states WebMD. Because infants and toddlers grow quickly, they need more iron than adults.

Children between 4 to 8 years should eat 10 milligrams daily, while 9- to 13-year-olds should have a daily dosage of 8 milligrams irrespective of gender, recommends WebMD. Starting at adolescence, a woman needs more iron because she loses blood through monthly cycles. While a woman aged 19 to 50 years should have 18 milligrams daily, a man of the same age needs 8 milligrams daily.

A woman in her menopause needs 8 milligrams daily, suggests WebMD. A man of the same age needs the same dosage. Pregnant women and patients with ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders or kidney failure also need more iron.