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This page is about pills, potions, and other
additional ways to augment nutrition beyond food and beverage. Please click over to
Feedback if you would like to add ideas. ~Marianne H.
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Ideas and links on this page :
 The
high and the low on iron levels
Sobersailor writes:
"Iron is a crucial building block in our
body. Most of will know someone who's been taking iron supplements
because their doctor determined they had low iron levels. Unfortunately,
it's not always that simple.
"Those of us who eat a normal, fairly
balanced western style diet will get more than enough dietary iron. Some
will even get too much: it's estimated that about 0.5 percent of the
population has a gene mutation (hemochromatosis) that results in iron
overload.
"As one of those '0.5 percenters' I've had to learn to manage
my iron levels, using principles that can just as easily be applied to
someone who is anemic/has low iron.
"There's a small valve in our
intestinal system that has one function only: to absorb or not to absorb
iron from what we eat as it passes through our body. If that valve is constantly in the ON position (as with hemochromatosis) we get a potentially fatal buildup of iron in our
internal organs. But if the valve is constantly in the OFF position, we can end up
anemic regardless of how much iron-rich food or supplements we eat.
"There are a few tricks we can use to 'tweak' that valve.
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1. Drinking
regular coffee or tea with a meal will impede iron absorption. It's a
standard recommendation for people with iron overload, but should be
avoided if we're trying to increase our iron intake.
2. Similarly,
calcium will impede iron absorption - those taking calcium supplements
should do so between rather than before meals if they are trying to
increase iron intake, and with their food if they want to decrease it.
3. Vitamin C has much the same effect as caffeine, and can help increase
iron levels when taken with a meal.
4. Just looking at the nutrition
labels for iron levels can be misleading. There are different kinds of
iron, or ferrutin as it's called. Someone with hemochromatosis would
probably not want to eat liver, kidneys or too much red meat, but can
easily get away with spinach, another source of iron. Someone basing
their battle against anemia on massive amounts of spinach might be in
for a disappointment though, even though it's listed as being a source
of iron.
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"In addition to the tips above, anyone with a serious iron
problem (too much or too little) should seek professional advice.
Dieticians can be helpful with putting together an appropriate mealplan,
while a Hematologist specializes in blood disorders including
hemochromatosis and anemia. Because, once again, it's not always as
simple as taking an iron supplement or not."
Most of this information, says Sobersailor,
came
"from a registered dietician that I’ve been seeing as well as from my blood
specialist (hematologist). There are quite a few sources on the web, for
those concerned about whether they may have too low or high iron levels. One
is at the U.S. government's National Institute for Health website -
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron.asp."
 Ideas
 Herbs
to combat anxiety
Or panic attacks. Sensible suggestions from a naturopath, including a regimen
to be tried for two months. Go to this link at
healthyideas.com
Ideas
Get vitamins
by mail
Rex A. says this is a mail order company on the web specializing in
vitamins and "healthy" products. He has found them cheaper than retail
stores, with a great selection, and prompt service. Go to this link:
Ideas
Caution re 5-HTP
Something to think about re "peak
X." Concerns about it for nearly ten years now. Could be one man with a
mission, but maybe more than that? You decide. Go to this link at
mayohealth.org
Ideas
Should I take supplements?
Which (if any) are the right
supplements for me? Check out this link at at
healthyideas.com.
After the obligatory "check with your
health practitioner" disclaimer, you'll find three resources to help you make up your
own mind.
Ideas
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Picture your favorite
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