vegetarianism and anemia

[Guest guest]

Hello!

I recently became a vegatarian (the first of the year!) I went to

the doctor a few weeks ago for an annual exam and mentioned that I

have been feeling fatiged. Well its turns out my iron level is

extremely low. Plant based iron sources are difficult to absorb and

Vitamin C is crucial to the process. Also, tea and coffee bind to

iron and pass through the system. I am now taking chewable iron

supplements with Vitamin C and cooking in an iron skillet. Has anyone

else had a similar experience, or have any other suggestions for me?

Thank You, Robin

[Guest guest]

Robin,

 

> I recently became a vegatarian (the first of the year!) I went to

> the doctor a few weeks ago for an annual exam and mentioned that I

> have been feeling fatiged. Well its turns out my iron level is

> extremely low. Plant based iron sources are difficult to absorb and

> Vitamin C is crucial to the process. Also, tea and coffee bind to

> iron and pass through the system. I am now taking chewable iron

> supplements with Vitamin C and cooking in an iron skillet.

 

I've been reviewing the research on iron and vegetarians/vegans. The only

study I found in which the goal was to correct iron-deficiency anemia in

vegetarians is:

 

Seshadri S, Shah A, Bhade S.

Haematologic response of anaemic preschool children to ascorbic acid

supplementation. Hum Nutr Appl Nutr. 1985 Apr;39(2):151-4.

 

In this study, the children took a 100 mg vitamin C tablet at both lunch and

dinner. After 60 days, the anemia had cleared up in 19 of the 26 anemic

children.

 

So, it sounds like you are on the right track.

 

Calcium supplements or meals high in calcium can inhibit iron absorption.

So, it's best to take eat your calcium sources away from meals.

 

Good luck,

 

Jack Norris, RD

Vegan Outreach

 

jacknorris

4622 Cowell Blvd

Davis, CA 95616

530/297-4004

 

 

http://www.veganoutreach.org

 

Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude

towards those who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect humankind

has suffered a fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all others

stem from it.

- Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

[Guest guest]

Here's an interesting article on that topic from the Vegetarian Resource

Group -- it has a nifty table of the iron content of common vegan foods.

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm

And another, from the Vegan Society

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/info/info11.html

And a couple of quotes from books on the topic

http://web.mit.edu/lmtancre/www/doc/iron.html

 

Hope these help a bit. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

 

 

- Carla Brauer

karrotqueen

 

" You must be the change you want to see in the world. " (Gandhi)

.... so, what are you waiting for?

 

caft.org | vegan.org | tree-sit.org | idausa.org | envirolink.org | sfvs.org |

animalliberation.net | indymedia.org | earthfirst.org | kpfa.org |

projectcensored.org | ran.org | infoshop.org | primatefreedom.com |

bankofamericaKills.com | furkills.org

 

 

-

adventuretherapist

Thursday, December 13, 2001 7:40 PM

vegetarianism and anemia

 

 

Hello!

I recently became a vegatarian (the first of the year!) I went to

the doctor a few weeks ago for an annual exam and mentioned that I

have been feeling fatiged. Well its turns out my iron level is

extremely low. Plant based iron sources are difficult to absorb and

Vitamin C is crucial to the process. Also, tea and coffee bind to

iron and pass through the system. I am now taking chewable iron

supplements with Vitamin C and cooking in an iron skillet. Has anyone

else had a similar experience, or have any other suggestions for me?

Thank You, Robin