Milly Gaines
Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. This excess iron is stored in organs, particularly the heart, liver, and pancreas, and can lead to severe organ and joint damage, and even death. While the primary treatment for hemochromatosis is weekly blood removal (phlebotomy), dietary changes can also help manage iron levels. A hemochromatosis diet focuses on fresh produce, plant-based proteins, fish, lean poultry, and low-fat dairy while avoiding red meat, processed meat, offal, and blood-containing foods. Calcium-rich foods like cheese, soy proteins like tofu, beverages containing tannins like tea and coffee, and whole-grain fibers like bran can help inhibit iron absorption. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol, and reducing vitamin C intake are recommended as part of a holistic approach to managing iron levels in hemochromatosis.
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What You'll Learn
Eat more vegetables and fruits, pulses and legumes
While dietary changes may help reduce iron levels, they are not as effective as medications or phlebotomy. However, eating more vegetables, fruits, pulses, and legumes can help to reduce iron absorption and lower your overall iron intake.
Vegetarians and vegans generally have lower body iron levels than omnivores, so adopting a vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or flexitarian diet can be a good idea. A "veggie-lacto-ovo-poultry-pescetarian" diet is considered optimal.
When it comes to vegetables, opt for those with higher iron content, such as potatoes, leafy greens, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. Consuming vitamin C-rich foods, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and peppers, along with non-heme iron-rich foods can enhance iron absorption. However, avoid cooking these vegetables with vitamin C, as heat can destroy this nutrient. Instead, eat them raw or add them to your dish after cooking. Additionally, keep the skins on your potatoes, as they have higher iron content when unpeeled.
Fruits are not typically associated with high iron content. However, some fruits, such as olives, mulberries, and prune juice, are good sources of iron. Consuming fruits rich in polyphenols, like berries, can also help reduce iron absorption.
Pulses and legumes, such as beans, are excellent plant-based protein sources that can help you achieve your necessary iron intake. They are also rich in phytic acids/phytates, natural inhibitors of iron absorption. Soy proteins, in particular, are moderate to strong inhibitors of iron uptake, so consider incorporating more soy beans and tofu into your diet.
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Opt for lean, white meat from poultry
While dietary changes may help reduce iron levels, they are not as effective as medications or
Meat is a source of heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron, which is found in plant-based foods. Red meat, in particular, is high in heme iron and should be avoided. Lean, white meat from poultry, such as chicken, is a better option as it contains lower amounts of heme iron.
In addition to choosing lean, white meat, it is also important to consider how you prepare and cook your meat. Avoid using cast-iron skillets or pots, especially for slow cooking or preparing acidic foods like tomatoes. This is because the iron from these pots and pans can leech into your food, increasing its iron content.
When following a hemochromatosis diet, it is also recommended to include foods that can help inhibit the absorption of iron. For example, calcium-rich foods like cheese, and soy proteins like tofu, can reduce the body's ability to absorb iron. Tea and coffee are also good options as they contain tannins, which are types of polyphenol plant compounds that limit iron absorption.
By opting for lean, white meat from poultry and incorporating other dietary changes, you can help manage your iron levels and slow the buildup of iron in your blood. However, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional or dietitian to ensure you are getting the right nutrients and treatment for your specific needs.
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Avoid red meat, offal, and blood-containing foods
If you are looking to reduce your iron levels through diet, it is important to note that dietary changes have only a small effect on iron levels compared with standard treatments for hemochromatosis. However, watching what you eat can help people with hemochromatosis to slow the buildup of iron in their blood.
People with hemochromatosis should avoid red meat from mammals and choose the lean, white meat from poultry. Red meat from mammals, such as beef and pork, has a high iron content. Fish meat, especially white fish meat, has a low iron content, while red meat from big skipjack tuna contains myoglobin and has a higher iron content. Therefore, it is recommended to eat fish two to four times per week, while limiting poultry to two 3.5-ounce servings of lean, white meat per week.
Offal, or organ meat, also has a high iron content. The total iron content in pork offal is: in liver 13.4 mg/100 g, liver pate 5.6 mg/100 g, heart 6.0 mg/100 g, kidney 3.3 mg/100 g, and in blood sausage 16.2 mg/100 g. It is recommended to avoid eating liver or products containing liver (liver pate, liver spread, and liver pastry) or other offal.
Blood-containing foods, such as blood sausage and game meat, should also be avoided.
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Include calcium-rich foods, like cheese, in your diet
Calcium-rich foods such as cheese can help to inhibit the absorption of iron. This is because calcium blocks iron absorption in the short term. However, it is important to note that dietary changes have only a small effect on iron levels compared to standard treatments for hemochromatosis.
If you are looking to reduce your iron levels, it is advisable to consult a dietician. They can help you to create an eating plan that is tailored to your individual needs and health goals.
In the meantime, there are some general dietary guidelines that you can follow to help manage your iron levels. Firstly, it is recommended to avoid iron-rich foods such as red meat, especially lean red meat, as this is a good source of easily absorbed heme iron. Instead, opt for plant-based proteins like legumes, pulses, and soy, as well as eggs and lean poultry. Include three to five 3.5-ounce servings of fish each week. However, limit your intake of poultry to no more than two 3.5-ounce servings of lean, white meat per week.
Secondly, be mindful of the foods you consume alongside iron-rich foods. For example, alcohol, citrus fruits or juices, fermented foods, and added sugars can boost iron absorption. Therefore, it is best to consume these foods between meals rather than alongside iron-rich foods.
Finally, while vitamin C is known to enhance iron absorption, there are other nutrients that can hinder it. For instance, phytates found in cereals and grains, as well as polyphenols in tea and coffee, can reduce iron absorption. So, if you are looking to reduce your iron levels, include these in your meals alongside iron-rich foods.
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Limit alcohol and vitamin C intake
While dietary changes can help reduce iron levels, they are not as effective as medical treatments for reducing iron levels in the blood. However, if you are looking to lower your iron levels through diet, it is important to limit your alcohol and vitamin C intake.
Alcohol is known to lower the blood's ability to carry oxygen and can worsen anemia, a blood disorder often associated with iron deficiency. Research has shown that the absorption of iron from a test dose fell from 24.44% to 9.73% when consumed with whisky. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, especially if you have anemia.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful enhancer of non-heme iron absorption, which is the major dietary source of iron. It can also reverse the inhibiting effects of substances such as tea and calcium phosphate on iron absorption. The effect of vitamin C is more pronounced in meals with a higher availability of iron, such as those containing meat, fish, or poultry. Therefore, limiting your intake of vitamin C can help reduce iron absorption in the body.
It is important to note that the interaction between vitamin C and iron is complex, and the presence of other foods in a meal can also influence iron absorption. Additionally, while limiting alcohol and vitamin C intake may help reduce iron levels, it is always best to consult a medical professional or dietician for personalized advice and to ensure your safety.
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Frequently asked questions
A good diet to reduce iron levels in the blood is one that focuses on fresh vegetables, fruits other than citrus, whole grains, and protein sources that are low in heme iron. Whole foods are encouraged whenever possible. A varied vegetarian, semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diet is optimal.
It is recommended to avoid iron-rich foods and supplements, red meat, raw or undercooked shellfish, processed meat, offal, blood-containing foods, and foods with high levels of vitamin C.
Foods that can help reduce the body's ability to absorb iron include soy proteins, beverages containing tannins such as tea and coffee, wholegrain fibres such as bran, and calcium-rich foods such as cheese.
