Deepal-linda's List: *Medical Research

• Too much iron in your body can cause liver damage, diabetes and discolored skin, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Making dietary changes can help lower iron levels.
• Heme iron is found in animal-based food products -- such as red meats -- and is better absorbed by your body than nonheme iron found in plant-based foods.
• Avoiding foods that contain high amounts of iron, especially heme iron, helps lower iron levels in your body -- which is beneficial if you have hemochromatosis
• uch iron-rich foods to avoid include oysters, red meat, beef liver and dark-meat poultry,
• If you do consume small amounts of these iron-rich foods, eat something with it that helps decrease iron absorption.
• Calcium-rich foods impair both nonheme and heme iron absorption, while eggs and foods containing phytates, polyphenols or oxalates impair nonheme iron absorption when eaten at the same time as iron-rich foods,
• Eat or drink calcium-containing foods with 300 milligrams -- the amount found in 1 cup of skim milk -- or more to inhibit heme and nonheme iron absorption
• Other calcium-rich foods include yogurt, cheese and calcium-fortified soy milk. Oxalates are in tea and some vegetables, such as spinach. Polyphenols are present in coffee, teas and cocoa. Phytates are found in soy, fiber, nuts, legumes and whole grains.
• Avoid eating foods that enhance nonheme iron absorption at the same time as you eat iron-rich foods. Examples of such foods to limit include vitamin C-rich foods -- like oranges, peppers, strawberries, broccoli, grapefruit, kiwi fruit and orange juice.
• Other foods that enhance iron absorption include those that are high in beta carotene, such as sweet potatoes and carrots; meats, especially red meats; and alcoholic beverages,

8 more annotations...