| The reason for testing before using iron supplements is that iron supplementation may prolong pregnancy and lead to a slightly increased risk of complications.37 free radicals from your fryer
Let's pop down to a fast-food restaurant for an order of fries. They're cooked in vegetable oil nowadays, so they must be healthy. And while we're at it, how about a fish sandwich? Fish is a health food, right?
These are risky ideas because iron is not the only thing that encourages the production of free radicals. Oils do, too. |
| Avoid iron supplements unless you have a diagnosed iron deficiency.
• Avoid uncoated iron cookware and keep wine consumption modest and intermittent.
• Check your iron level by asking your doctor for the tests listed on page 31.
• Regular blood donation lowers high iron levels.
• Regular exercise helps the body to eliminate excess iron.
• Pregnant women often need more iron, mainly in the second half of the pregnancy. A ferritin test at the beginning and middle of the pregnancy can show whether iron is needed or not. |
| If You Are Low in Iron. iron supplements are not justified by a low hemoglobin or hematocrit test; you could end up doing yourself more harm than good. Supplement only if prescribed by your physician, who will run the tests on page 31.
A balanced diet of legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), vegetables, fruits, and grains, as described in chapter 12, provides nonheme iron, the type of iron the body can absorb more of if it needs it and less of if it already has plenty. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Students at Penn State who were found to be deficient in iron took iron supplements for three months and significantly increased their test scores.
A lack of physical activity can also cause the brain to stagnate. Physical inactivity is accompanied by electrical and chemical changes in the brain that lead to decreased levels of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenalin, which are essential for alertness. Exercise reverses that decrease by increasing the availability of oxygen to the brain. Exercise strengthens the pumping action of the heart, which improves circulation. |
Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 In any of the above circumstances, iron supplements are not only unnecessary, but potentially harmful. Too much iron can settle in your liver, heart, and other organs and interfere with their normal function. There is also a suspicion that excessive iron may contribute to heart attacks and even cancer. A current theory holds that the anemia so often present in infections is a defensive, adaptive reaction by the body and should not be corrected. According to the proponents of this theory, harmful bacteria must have enough iron in order to multiply and do their dirty work. |
Covert Bailey
See book keywords and concepts |
 Whatever the reason, many long-distance runners take iron supplements as a precaution.
Let's not miss the main point here. Training significantly increases red blood cells for oxygen transport and at the same time makes blood easier to pump because the volume of blood is greater. Both of these phenomena yield a two-way advantage to the athlete. First, his muscles receive more oxygen, more nutrition, in less time and, second, his heart and lungs accomplish their tasks with less effort. As with so many of the body changes that result from exercise, these are synergistic. |
Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
See book keywords and concepts |
 While iron deficiency is easy to fix with iron supplements, people who have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency should not supplement iron.
Deficiency of vitamin B]2 (p. 337) can create disturbances in mood that respond to Bp supplementation.14 Depression caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in the absence of anemia.15 Diagnosis of deficiency requires a doctor knowledgeable in the field of nutrition.
Mood has been reported to sometimes improve with high amounts of vitamin B|2 (given by injection) even in the absence of a B deficiency. |
Ralph W. Moss PhD
See book keywords and concepts |
 Schauss claims that it is "desirable" for patients to take various food supplements, one of which is "iron supplements with copper (if you do not eat meat)." Yet most experts believe that iron is contraindicated for cancer patients except in cases of frank anemia. In fact, scientists at Sloan-Kettering Institute and elsewhere have published over a dozen papers finking excess iron to lowered immunity and to cancer.
"Iron impairs several T-cell functions" they have written, impairing immunity. |
Gary Null
See book keywords and concepts |
 If you are taking iron supplements for an anemic condition and your hemoglobin levels are not raised by 2 grams per 100 milligrams of blood every three weeks, you may need other nutrients along with the iron, or you may not need the iron at all.56
How can you guarantee the proper absorption of iron from your food? Other minerals and vitamins play a part in the amount of iron you are able to use. Certain natural elements synthesized by your body also play a role.
For example, while copper is necessary for the absorption of iron, too much copper actually lowers iron levels and causes anemia. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Poorly utilized forms of iron (iron sulfate or iron gluconate) may cause constipation and/or stomach upset. iron supplements should be taken with food and supplemental vitamin C.
10-15 mg
10-30mg
Copper: Essential for production of red blood cells; involved in the maintenance of skeletal and cardiovascular systems; works with vitamin C in the biosynthesis of collagen and elastin (elastic fibers in blood vessels, skin, and vertebral discs). |
Doug Dollemore, Mark Giuliucci and the Editors of Men's Health Magazine
See book keywords and concepts |
 But don't depend on iron supplements unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Too much iron can cause health problems such as constipation, skin discoloration, cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes.
Maximize your magnesium. Some studies suggest that magnesium deficiency can cause the immune system to run amok, attack normal cells in the body and trigger autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Phillips says. Taking a magnesium supplement may be a good idea for men on water pills (diuretics) or high blood pressure drugs. Both make you lose this mineral. |
| Never take iron supplements without your doctor's permission, Dr. Sullivan advises. Some men assume that when they feel worn down, they have anemia. But hemochromatosis can also cause fatigue, and taking supplements could make your symptoms worse.
Eat a healthy diet. While avoiding iron-rich foods may seem sensible, it isn't that practical or wise, says Dr. Krikker. That's because many iron-laden foods such as potatoes, broccoli and tuna have other indispensable nutrients. Other important foods are fortified with iron, such as cereals and grains. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
See book keywords and concepts |
 The most common cause of harm to small children from dietary supplements is iron supplements, because relatively small amounts can easily become toxic.
Strong herbs, including stimulants and stimulant laxatives, should be kept from children's reach. Herbs that are intended for conditions experienced exclusively by mature adults are, of course, inappropriate for children. These would include saw palmetto, black cohosh, and vitex.
The process of calculating herb dosages for children is similar to the method used with conventional medicines. |
Dr. Gary Null
See book keywords and concepts |
 Repletion with iron supplements raised the work volume and improved its quality. It also improved the state of health, activity and mood.
E. A. Kuleschova and N. V. Riabova, "Effect of Iron Deficiency of the Body on the Work of Capacity of Women Engaged in Mental Work," Ter Arkh 61, no. 1 (1989): 92-95.
Studies have found that 75-91% of treated patients experienced pronounced relief of fatigue during treatment with aspartates, compared to 5-25% of controls. Patients usually continued treatment for 4-6 weeks; afterward fatigue frequently did not return.
A. R. |
| Only 3 percent of pregnant women given iron supplements were anemic at delivery, compared to 30 percent of a group given placebos. The iron status of the babies at birth and 2 months after delivery correlated with their mothers' iron status, particularly during the 7th month of pregnancy.
C. De Benanze et al., "Prevention de I'anemie Ferriprive Au Cours de la Grossesse par une Supplementation Martiale Precoce: un Essai Controle," [Prevention of Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy Using Early Iron Supplementation: A Controlled Trial], Rev. Epidemiol. Sante Publique 37 (1989): 109-18. |
Natural Prescriptions: Dr. Giller's Natural Treatments & Vitamin Therapies For Over 100 Common AilmentsRobert M. Giller, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Do not take iron supplements unless indicated by blood testing.
IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS, PACE xxiv, TAKE
• Magnesium with taurine in the following amounts: magnesium, 200 mg. three times daily, and taurine, 250 mg. three times daily, during the cold season. If no relief after four weeks, discontinue use.
• Vitamin E: 400 I.U. daily
• Fish oils: 1,000 mg. three times daily.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is really a type of arthritis. Like osteoarthritis it causes inflammation of the joints. |
| But, after the women took iron supplements, the nails weren't brittle any longer. Too much iron can be as troublesome as too little, so be sure to have your blood tested before taking supplements.
Zinc deficiency is sometimes highlighted by white spots on the nail or the nail bed. People on restricted-calorie diets often suffer from zinc deficiency, as do many women just before their menstrual period.
Finally, silica is a trace mineral that I've found useful for nails. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Men and postmenopausal women should take iron supplements only with approval from their physicians.
Table 14.2 Fifteen Essential Nutrients You Can't Do Without
Here's a brief glance at some of the nutrients needed for health, and what you should look for when choosing a supplement.
Nutrient Vitamin A/Beta carotene
How Much? The Daily Value of 5,000 IU for vitamin A is a safe dose, especially for women who might become or are pregnant; higher amounts might cause birth defects in fetuses. |
D. Lindsey Berkson
See book keywords and concepts |
 Natural Answers for Specific Peri- and Postmenopausal Problems
Heavy Menstrual Flow
• vitamin A and vitamin A-rich food
• natural form of Heme iron supplement and vitamin C
Have a doctor measure your ferritin levels to get an accurate reading of your iron levels. iron supplements can cause constipation. Consume brussels sprouts, dark leafy greens, and broccoli with vitamin C-rich foods and/or vitamin C supplementation.
Fatigue
• paba
• nutrients that support the adrenals such as vitamin C and pantothenic acid. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Take iron supplements on an empty stomach (unless it causes nausea) and avoid taking calcium or zinc at the same time you take iron.
5. Drink tea and coffee between meals, since these beverages contain compounds called tannins that can reduce iron absorption by 80 percent or more.
6. Limit your consumption of unleavened whole-grain breads, such as whole wheat biscuits or tortillas, since they contain a substance called phytate that inhibits iron absorption. |
Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine
See book keywords and concepts |
 Taking iron supplements usually provides no help and can actually do some harm by creating free-radical damage.
The body struggles to remove excess iron, which can support the growth of infectious organisms, including bacteria, viruses, yeast, and other parasites. Excess iron can catalyze the production of oxygen radicals and increase the chance for cancer cells to survive and flourish.154
Lactoferrin can also assist the body by helping to produce alpha-interferon, which has profound immune-stimulating action. For patients who are anemic, I usually recommend 4 capsules before bed. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 In many cases, physicians or natural healers will prescribe iron supplements to their pregnant pati°nts
Raspberry leaf—This is the most widely used and safest herb to prepare the uterus for delivery since it is virtually nontoxic even at high doses. Drink one cup of raspberry tea daily.
Ginger—This root has been used by Chinese healers for centuries as an antinausea measure for motion sickness, morning sickness during pregnancy, and general stomach upset. It is considered safe for pregnant women. |
| Good food sources of iron are pork, oysters, clams, chicken, and turkey. iron supplements should only be taken in cases of iron-deficient anemia.
Antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that are normal byproducts of the cells use of oxygen. Free radicals bind readily with other molecules and, when they do, they give off energy that can damage cells within the body. Brain tissue is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, and many researchers believe that over time, free radicals can effect brain function. |
| That is why I recommend that you have your blood-iron levels checked by your doctor to see if you are deficient before you begin adding iron-rich foods to your diet or taking iron supplements.
Anemia could also be the result of a defiency in key B vitamins,
'notably folic acid and vitamin B12, which are essential for the production of red-blood cells which carry the hemoglobin. A diet deficient in either of these vitamins could result in too few red-blood cells. Clearly, the right combination of diet and supplements can help to prevent anemia. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler
See book keywords and concepts |
 Do not take iron supplements at all if you have been diagnosed as having idiopathic hemochromatosis (a tendency toward excessive absorption of iron). Persons with anemia should use supplemental iron according to the prescriptions of their physicians. A complete blood count, including hemoglobin and hematocrit determination, will tell you if you are anemic. To determine if you are iron deficient, the tests used are: serum iron (low in iron deficiency), serum transferrin (normal or elevated in iron deficiency) and serum ferritin (low in iron deficiency).
Magnesium
I. |
| Researchers have reported abnormal reactivity in infants with iron-deficiency anemia and demonstrated improvement after treatment with iron supplements. Other investigators have clearly showed differences in behavior between iron-deficient and iron-sufficient infants. The anemic infants were less responsive, more tense, less active and more fearful than the non-anemic infants. However, one week of oral-iron treatment used in a study of these iron-deficient infants proved insufficient to change this behavior. |
| Iron supplements are widely used in the United States, and reports of toxicity from iron overload are very rare.
4) Destroys vitamin E—We've known about an iron/vitamin E connection for some time. Ferric chloride, a form of iron, converts vitamin E to an inactive substance. Ferric chloride has also been shown to make rats infertile, apparently by inactivating vitamin E; fertility was restored by the addition of more vitamin E to the diet. A number of additional reports also document an antagonism between inorganic iron and vitamin E.
IV. |
| Adult men who eat well-balanced diets of 2,000 calories or more do not need iron supplements. Elderly persons who feel weak and tired most of the time should see their doctors before starting on iron, since they may be anemic from internal bleeding. Iron itself will do nothing to combat bleeding. In general, I see no reason for adults to consume more than 15 milligrams of iron daily (except during pregnancy or in the event of iron-deficiency anemia, which should be treated by a physician). |
| The other iron supplements mentioned are best absorbed on an empty stomach. They do get absorbed, but to a lesser extent, with food. Ferrous sulfate is a popular iron supplement, but some find it irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and prefer ferrous fumarate, which is usually less irritating. Women who take iron in a multivitamin/multimineral preparation should be aware that calcium, and particularly calcium phosphate, decreases the absorbability of iron. Vitamin C, on the other hand, increases it. |
| Women who require iron supplements for the correction of iron-deficiency anemia should be under a physician's care. They usually require iron in amounts of at least 50 milligrams daily to correct their problem. Those who take iron for nutritional insurance reasons should not take any more than 10-18 milligrams daily.
The Formula
Same as the Basic Formula for Men except: Add iron in the form of fumarate, sulfate, or carbonyl iron (elemental micronized iron), in the amount of 10-15 milligrams daily. |
Email this page to a friend
