Doctor told me I have to much iron, what foods should I be eating?!
High/Low Iron Diet
Purpose
Iron is a mineral essential for life. Found in red blood cells, iron's primary role is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without oxygen, the body's cells cannot function normally.
If the body's iron stores become too low, an iron-deficiency anemia can occur. This is characterized by weakness, lethargy, muscle fatigue, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, a person's skin may become pale due to a lack of red blood cells in the body.
In adults, iron deficiency is most commonly caused by chronic blood loss, such as with heavy menstruation or intestinal bleeding from peptic ulcers, cancer, or hemorrhoids. In children, iron deficiency is usually the result of an inadequate iron intake.
Nutrition Facts
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron in healthy adults is 10 milligrams per day for men and 15 milligrams per day for premenopausal women. Premenopausal women's needs are higher than men's needs because women lose iron during menstruation.
It is generally easier for men to get enough iron than it is for women. Because they are usually bigger, men have higher calorie needs and will most likely eat enough food to meet their iron requirements. Women, on the other hand, tend to eat less. This makes it more difficult for them to meet their iron needs. It is, therefore, particularly important for premenopausal women to eat foods high in iron.
Pregnant women will need as much as 30 milligrams of iron per day. The main reason is because the unborn baby needs iron for development. As a result, it will draw from the mother's iron stores. This can quickly deplete a woman of iron if she is not eating enough iron rich foods.
The following table lists foods high in iron. In general, meat, fish, and poultry are excellent sources. Other sources of iron include beans, dried fruits, whole grains, fortified cereals, and enriched breads.
There are some instances in which a high iron diet can be harmful. For example, those suffering from hemochromatosis need to avoid iron rich foods. Hemochromatosis is a common hereditary disorder where the body loses its ability to regulate the amount of iron that is absorbed and stored. Without a regulatory process, dangerously large amounts of iron can build up. This can lead to severe damage to the liver, heart, and pancreas.
Chronic liver disease, from many causes, can result in excessive amounts of iron being stored in the liver. In some instances, this actually aggravates the damage to the liver. In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, for example, it is now known that reducing iron stores by removal of blood actually improves treatment.
Special Considerations
1. Heme and nonheme iron are two forms of iron in foods. Heme iron is found in meats, poultry, and fish. Nonheme iron is found in both plant and animal foods.
Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body than nonheme iron. However, heme iron can also promote the absorption of non-heme iron. Therefore, eating beef and beans, for example, is good for providing adequate absorption of both types of iron.
2. Vitamin C also promotes iron absorption. This is true for both heme and nonheme iron. It is, therefore, beneficial to consume citrus fruits or juices, which are high in vitamin C, with foods that contain iron. For example, a meal might include a lean sirloin steak (heme iron source), baked potato (nonheme iron source), broccoli (nonheme iron source), and an orange (vitamin C source) for a good iron intake.
3. Phytic and tannic acids are two food components that, when consumed in large amounts, prevent the absorption of iron. Phytic acid is found in rye bread and other foods made from whole grains. Phytic acid is also found in nonherbal teas. Tannic acid is found in commercial black and pekoe teas, coffee, cola drinks, chocolate, and red wines.
4. Iron Supplements: There are many different kinds of iron supplements. However, iron supplements should only be taken when there is a true deficiency of iron and only under medical supervision.
General multivitamins often have iron and other minerals added to them in moderate amounts. If otherwise healthy, this amount of iron is probably not harmful. If iron is to be avoided, multivitamins containing iron should not be used.
Please note that it is important to keep iron and multivitamin supplements safely away from a child's reach. If ingested, severe poisoning can occur.
Low glycemic load
* barley
* bran
* brown rice
* bulgur wheat
* lentils
* oatmeal
* whole fruits
* whole-grain cereals
* whole-wheat products
High glycemic load
* crackers
* french fries
* honey
* potatoes
* refined cereals
* soft drinks
* sugar
* white bread
* white rice
Answers: I would think if a doctor told me to eat a low iron diet he would recommend a dietician or give examples of what he wanted.
High/Low Iron Diet
Purpose
Iron is a mineral essential for life. Found in red blood cells, iron's primary role is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without oxygen, the body's cells cannot function normally.
If the body's iron stores become too low, an iron-deficiency anemia can occur. This is characterized by weakness, lethargy, muscle fatigue, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, a person's skin may become pale due to a lack of red blood cells in the body.
In adults, iron deficiency is most commonly caused by chronic blood loss, such as with heavy menstruation or intestinal bleeding from peptic ulcers, cancer, or hemorrhoids. In children, iron deficiency is usually the result of an inadequate iron intake.
Nutrition Facts
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron in healthy adults is 10 milligrams per day for men and 15 milligrams per day for premenopausal women. Premenopausal women's needs are higher than men's needs because women lose iron during menstruation.
It is generally easier for men to get enough iron than it is for women. Because they are usually bigger, men have higher calorie needs and will most likely eat enough food to meet their iron requirements. Women, on the other hand, tend to eat less. This makes it more difficult for them to meet their iron needs. It is, therefore, particularly important for premenopausal women to eat foods high in iron.
Pregnant women will need as much as 30 milligrams of iron per day. The main reason is because the unborn baby needs iron for development. As a result, it will draw from the mother's iron stores. This can quickly deplete a woman of iron if she is not eating enough iron rich foods.
The following table lists foods high in iron. In general, meat, fish, and poultry are excellent sources. Other sources of iron include beans, dried fruits, whole grains, fortified cereals, and enriched breads.
There are some instances in which a high iron diet can be harmful. For example, those suffering from hemochromatosis need to avoid iron rich foods. Hemochromatosis is a common hereditary disorder where the body loses its ability to regulate the amount of iron that is absorbed and stored. Without a regulatory process, dangerously large amounts of iron can build up. This can lead to severe damage to the liver, heart, and pancreas.
Chronic liver disease, from many causes, can result in excessive amounts of iron being stored in the liver. In some instances, this actually aggravates the damage to the liver. In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, for example, it is now known that reducing iron stores by removal of blood actually improves treatment.
Special Considerations
1. Heme and nonheme iron are two forms of iron in foods. Heme iron is found in meats, poultry, and fish. Nonheme iron is found in both plant and animal foods.
Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body than nonheme iron. However, heme iron can also promote the absorption of non-heme iron. Therefore, eating beef and beans, for example, is good for providing adequate absorption of both types of iron.
2. Vitamin C also promotes iron absorption. This is true for both heme and nonheme iron. It is, therefore, beneficial to consume citrus fruits or juices, which are high in vitamin C, with foods that contain iron. For example, a meal might include a lean sirloin steak (heme iron source), baked potato (nonheme iron source), broccoli (nonheme iron source), and an orange (vitamin C source) for a good iron intake.
3. Phytic and tannic acids are two food components that, when consumed in large amounts, prevent the absorption of iron. Phytic acid is found in rye bread and other foods made from whole grains. Phytic acid is also found in nonherbal teas. Tannic acid is found in commercial black and pekoe teas, coffee, cola drinks, chocolate, and red wines.
4. Iron Supplements: There are many different kinds of iron supplements. However, iron supplements should only be taken when there is a true deficiency of iron and only under medical supervision.
General multivitamins often have iron and other minerals added to them in moderate amounts. If otherwise healthy, this amount of iron is probably not harmful. If iron is to be avoided, multivitamins containing iron should not be used.
Please note that it is important to keep iron and multivitamin supplements safely away from a child's reach. If ingested, severe poisoning can occur.
Low glycemic load
* barley
* bran
* brown rice
* bulgur wheat
* lentils
* oatmeal
* whole fruits
* whole-grain cereals
* whole-wheat products
High glycemic load
* crackers
* french fries
* honey
* potatoes
* refined cereals
* soft drinks
* sugar
* white bread
* white rice
is it food related? Better you should be asking what not to eat. Watch your cereal intake. Some bran cereals are packed with iron as is red meat.
Well, if you have to much, it's more like what you shouldn't be eating. You might want to research which foods have a high amount of iron in them and cut down on eating them,
Alcohol is generally high in iron..so you should watch alcohol. Vitamin C greatly enhances iron absorbtion...so take that into consideration. Go through your cupboards and take note and see if you are eating anything that is iron fortified..cereals or things like Cream of Wheat. Check your vitamins to make certain they are not iron fortified. These will be your first line of defense...you will want you next check how much red meat you are eating weekly..eggs are rich in iron...
They are just understanding that the consequences of Iron overload are VERY IMPORTANT...you need to return to make sure that you don't have an underlying health issue that is causing the problem..sometimes they have to address this by allowing you to give blood at intervals...it is CRUCIAL that you follow up. Iron builds up in organs, the body does not rid itself of this element and it can cause damage. You can google up iron overload for additional info. Go back for you follow up and good luck!!!!