Too much iron isn’t a good thing! Find out why
Below, you'll find out why we need Iron, where we can get it from, and what will happen if we consume too much.
Why do we need Iron?
Iron is a mineral which has multiple roles. One of its jobs is to helps to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. It's also needed for immunity.
Where do we get Iron from?
You can find iron in many things. Some of these are beans, lentils, peas, nuts, sesame seeds, dried fruit, prunes, molasses, whole grains e.g. brown rice, fortified breakfast cereals, soybean flour, dark-green leafy vegetables, such as, watercress and curly kale.
Source - The Vegan Truth
How much Iron do we need?
Men need 8.7mg of iron per day, and women need 14.8mg per day.
If you think you lose a lot of blood during menstruation, it is worth asking your GP for a blood test to check your level of iron.
What happens if I have too much Iron?
Taking too much iron can result constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and liver damage.
What does the Department of Health have to say about Iron?
“Most people should be able to get all the iron they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take iron supplements, don't take too much, because this could be harmful. Taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. However, continue taking a higher dose if advised to by your GP.”
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“History has demonstrated that a diet of specific vegan foods, eaten in a specific caloric ratio, will meet all those criteria. For healing inflammatory bowel diseases, other gut disorders and most other illnesses, I have learned which are the most beneficial foods of all. Those food comprise what I call the Vegan Healing Diet.”