More than one million people in the US suffer from Hemochromatosis or iron overload. The opposite causes a condition called Anemia.
Although hemochromatosis is a serious health condition, the good news is that it can be kept in check.
One of the best ways to keep your iron level in control is to follow a healthy lifestyle and adhere to a diet that lowers the level of iron uptake in your body.
If you are suffering from hemochromatosis, it can become overwhelming to research the optimal lifestyle and eating habits consisting of foods low in iron amidst the bundle of resources on the internet.
Navigating a dietary landscape when you are unwell can become difficult. Therefore, we have decided to streamline the process for you by including all the essential foods low in iron in this all-in-guide.
Whether you are suffering from hemochromatosis or just want to lower your iron intake, this guide will equip you with foods low in iron to help you make healthy food choices!
After all, your dietary restrictions should not limit you from exploring healthy yet delicious food options.
What Is Hemochromatosis?
Hemochromatosis is a medical disorder in which your body starts accumulating a lot of iron in various organs of your body, including your skin, liver, pancreas, heart, pituitary glands, and joints.
Most people absorb about 1 milligram of iron daily, giving the body what it needs. They could take iron pills to keep their iron in check.
When the iron level exceeds a certain level, it can become life-threatening, as too much iron can damage your organs and tissues and lead to the following conditions:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma or liver cancer
- Cirrhosis or liver damage is present in 70% of patients
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
To prevent all these diseases and lead a healthy life, it is essential to maintain your iron levels by including foods low in iron in your eating habits.
Five Symptoms Of Hemochromatosis
As they say, prevention is better than cure, it is important to understand the symptoms of a disease to detect it in its initial stages and maintain a healthy lifestyle in the long run.
Although your physician would suggest you take a blood test to determine the iron level in your blood, here are some of the symptoms that signal hemochromatosis.
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Pain in the abdomen or liver
- Sudden weight loss
- Darkening of skin colour, which may appear grey, metallic, or bronze.
If you experience any of these symptoms, get your iron levels checked. When diagnosed in the early stages, hemochromatosis is treatable, and you can enjoy a healthy and normal life span.
Top Six Foods Low In Iron: Optimal Dietary Choices For Hemochromatosis
If you are going through hemochromatosis, you must know how your eating habits can impact your well-being and lifespan.
Hemochromatosis requires people to carefully navigate their food choices and incorporate foods low in iron into their diet.
What foods are low in iron? This section will reveal a world of delicious choices that align with your hemochromatosis management goals.
So get ready to redefine your iron management journey with us!
1. Decrease Your Red Meat Consumption
Red meat is a huge heme iron source, the most easily absorbed form of iron, so you should watch out for including too much of it in your diet.
For every 100 grams of meat, beef has about 2.47 mg of iron, venison has 4.98mg, and lamb has 1.78 mg.
As your body accumulates iron in hemochromatosis, including iron-rich foods such as red meat in your diet can increase the iron overload in your body.
2. Drink Tannin-Containing Coffee And Tea
Did you know tannins lower iron levels before absorption by forming insoluble antinutritional-mineral complexes?
According to research, having a cup of coffee with a hamburger meal lowered iron absorption by 39%.
By binding with non-heme iron found in peas, leafy green vegetables, and nuts, tannins inhibit iron absorption by the blood.
So if you are suffering from hemochromatosis, we recommend you incorporate tannin coffee and tea in your daily meals to reduce the iron absorption in your body
Honestly, who would mind a warm cup of tea and coffee to stay active throughout the day? It is one of the most effective ways to keep your iron levels low.
3. Eliminate Raw Fish From Your Diet
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium usually found in raw fish which can cause vibriosis in humans if ingested.
Although vibriosis can impact anyone, people with higher iron levels are more susceptible.
When someone with hemochromatosis contracts vibriosis, they are at a higher risk of developing infections and complications.
If you have recently consumed raw meat and develop any symptoms, including vomiting, a skin rash that appears red, or nausea, get yourself examined immediately.
4. Avoid Iron Rich Cereals
How often have you seen your favourite cereal boxes labelled “high in iron” or “iron-fortified”
Many of these cereals are fortified with iron to address iron deficiency but they should be the first component you need to eliminate from your diet if you are suffering from high iron levels.
- Check for any labels signalling iron fortification.
- Choose healthy breakfast alternatives with low iron.
- Keep an eye on trends and research related to high-iron foods.
If you start with iron-rich foods such as iron-fortified cereals, it can spike the levels of iron in your body and reduce your energy levels throughout the day.
5. Increase The Intake Of Lean Proteins
If you are looking for foods low in iron hemochromatosis, lean proteins should definitely be an important part of your new dietary routine.
Proteins are essential for the human body to build muscles, release energy, and make hormones and enzymes.
Lean proteins contain less iron than other protein sources, making them an ideal option for hemochromatosis patients.
Here are some common sources of lean protein that you should include in your diet if you want to maintain an optimal level of proteins in your diet without spiking your iron levels:
- White-fleshed fish is a healthy protein source that provides less than 3 grams of fat, 20–25 grams of protein, and 85–130 calories per 3.5 ounces.
- Plain Greek yoghurt consists of 5–20 grams of protein.
- Dry beans and lentils contain 8 grams of protein per 100 grams cooked.
Therefore, including lean proteins in your diet is a strategic and healthy option to help keep the iron level low and replenish your body with essential nutrients.
6. Fruits And Vegetables
As fruits and vegetables contain non-heme iron that is not easily absorbed by the body, they are an excellent choice when it comes to foods low in iron hemochromatosis.
Packed with antioxidants that prevent free radical production, green vegetables and fruits should be the go-to option for hemochromatosis patients.
We have mentioned a list of fruits and green vegetables that you can include in your diet to maintain an optimal iron level.
- Spinach is known as a source of iron, but its oxalates reduce the absorption of non-heme iron.
- Apples, berries, and plumps inhibit heme iron absorption because they contain polyphenols.
As fruits and vegetables are rich in non-heme iron that is not absorbed easily in the gut, it is a safe dietary option that people with hemochromatosis should opt for.
Visit Ailaaj: Your Trusted Online Store For Hemochromatosis Medication
If you are living with hemochromatosis, having access to the right medicines is essential, along with following a strict diet routine.
Many people often start relying solely on a healthy diet without realising that healthy lifestyle choices without the right treatment would not benefit them in the long run.
When you have thousands of daily errands to run while maintaining a strict diet, it becomes overwhelming to find the right medicines, which often results in incomplete treatment.
Welcome to Ailaaj, the trusted online pharmacy that will help you access high-quality and reliable medicines from the comfort of your home.
How To Navigate Your Way To Medicines?
If you are being treated for hemochromatosis, here are two ways to access your hemochromatosis medicines on our website:
1. Browse By Categories
In this section, you will see several categories on the website, including self-medication, prescribed medications, speciality medications, and shop-by-condition options.
You can simply go through your required section, put the medicines in your cart, and check out!
2. Upload Prescription
Our upload prescription feature enables you to upload your prescription and receive the right medication for your hemochromatosis.
All you have to do is follow these three simple steps.
- Add your name.
- Enter your contact details.
- Upload your prescription.
Once these steps are completed, you will receive your prescribed medicines at your doorstep.
So whether you want to choose the medicines yourself or rely on our expert team to deliver precise medicines as prescribed by your doctor, Ailaaj is the perfect solution for you.
Don’t forget to check out our flash deals and 15% discount through the quick buy option.
Enjoy a hassle-free medicine shopping experience with Ailaaj and make your hemochromatosis treatment feel like a breeze.
We promise to promptly deliver the right medicines at the right prices to your doorstep.