**Iron is an essential nutrient for the body** Iron is an essential mineral found in red blood cells. The main function of iron in red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs and other parts of the body. For this reason, it has become a vital element for the proper functioning of all cells and organs. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an average adult needs about 8 to 18 milligrams of iron per day to meet his body's iron needs. Of course, this amount is higher for women and vegetarians. When people have low levels of iron in their body, they may develop iron deficiency anemia. In anemia caused by iron deficiency, there are not enough healthy red blood cells for proper function or hemoglobin production. Anemia caused by iron deficiency may cause shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness and dizziness, and it may disturb a person's appetite. One of the main causes of iron deficiency anemia is not consuming enough iron in the diet. If you don't eat enough iron-rich foods like meat, eggs, and dark green vegetables, your body's iron levels can be compromised. Other factors such as blood loss or disorders that cause an inability to absorb iron can also lead to iron deficiency anemia. If left untreated, iron deficiency can cause heart problems and growth problems, and is especially dangerous for pregnant women. The risk of premature birth and low birth weight babies is one of the risks of iron deficiency. Alternatively, it is possible for a person's body to absorb too much iron. This condition is called hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis causes the body to absorb more iron than it needs, and excess iron accumulated in the body can become toxic.

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**Reduction of body iron** For people with hemochromatosis, there are several ways to reduce the amount of iron in the body. One of the ways to keep iron levels low is to modify the diet. Considering that excess accumulation of iron is dangerous for the body, some people should focus on low iron diet. An important option to reduce the level of iron in the body is to focus on a low-iron food menu. In this case, it's important to avoid things like iron supplements and raw seafood that contain high levels of iron. Of course, fortunately, Iranians do not have a place for raw seafood in our menu. You can also focus on iron-free fruits and vegetables and legumes. Here's a look at the best diet for hemochromatosis, including foods to eat, foods to avoid, and supplements to take. Of course, in general, it can be said that the best diet for people with hemochromatosis is to eat foods low in iron. However, there are several conditions that can affect how well you absorb iron from the foods you eat. **Heme iron versus non-heme iron** In general, there are two types of iron in food that can be absorbed by the body. Of course, the function of each of these substances in the body is different. The two types of iron found in different foods are called heme and non-heme iron. Meat and seafood contain heme iron, meaning it has an animal source, while non-heme iron is found in plants and fortified products and has a plant source. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron. Of course, another important issue is that the consumption of some other foods affect the absorption of iron in the body, which will be discussed further. - **Calcium:** Calcium, which is one of the most useful foods for teeth and bone health, can affect the absorption of iron by the body. Different forms of calcium can reduce the bioavailability of heme and non-heme iron. - **Vitamin** **C****:** Vitamin **C**, which is a very useful vitamin for the cold season and is recommended for treating influenza and colds and strengthening the body's immune system, increases the bioavailability of non-heme iron. Consumption of meat and seafood can also increase the absorption of nonheme iron in the body. - **phytic acid phytic**: Cereals and legumes contain a compound called phytic acid, which reduces iron absorption. Other compounds found in plant foods such as polyphenols can also reduce iron absorption. Therefore, for people with hemochromatosis, it is not only important to avoid consuming foods containing iron, but they should also pay attention to consuming foods that affect iron absorption. **Which foods are useful for people with hemochromatosis?** - **Fruits and vegetables:** It is rare or can be said never to name a diet in which the consumption of fruits and vegetables is not recommended. These valuable foods contain antioxidants and various vitamins. Considering that in people with hemochromatosis, excess iron accumulated in the body leads to an increase in oxidative stress and the activity of free radicals, which can damage a person's DNA, consuming fruits and vegetables that have antioxidant substances is very useful. In the case of vegetables such as spinach, which are high in iron, it is not recommended to contraindication because these types of vegetables only contain non-heme iron and non-heme iron is absorbed less than heme iron. Of course, it is better to consult a doctor to consume these vegetables

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**Fruits without iron** Asian pears, tomatoes, avocados, grapefruit, apples, tangerines, plums, oranges, apricots, and papayas all contain small amounts of iron. In fact, the amount of iron in these fruits is very small and about one percent. Fruits such as mango, kiwi, peach, honeydew melon, banana, cantaloupe, lemon, watermelon, nectarine, blueberry, peach, strawberry and pineapple all have relatively little iron. Therefore, if you consume these fruits in moderation, they will not have much effect on the amount of iron in your body. - **Cereals and legumes** Cereals and legumes are rich in useful nutrients such as protein, folic acid, manganese, fiber, zinc, etc. for the body, which should be included in the diet of most people. Fortunately, people with hemacrotosis can also consume these valuable foods because grains and legumes contain phytic acid, which prevents the absorption of iron. - **eggs** Eggs are a useful food for the health of the body due to the presence of vitamins A and E and protein. Considering that the phosphoprotein in the egg yolk is a source of non-heme iron, therefore, people with hemochromatosis can include eggs in their diet. - **lean protein** At first, it may be thought that people with hemochromatosis should avoid eating all kinds of meat because of its iron content. While this notion is wrong. Protein materials such as turkey meat, chicken and tuna, which contain less protein and fat-free protein, are considered suitable food for these people. - **dairy products** Dairy products such as milk, yogurt or cream contain relatively low levels of iron and are suitable options for the menu of people with hemochromatosis. Butter, sour cream and ice cream are all iron-free foods. Other iron-free foods include salad dressings, mayonnaise, and most oils. Candies that are high in sugar are also usually low in iron. - ** caffeinated substances such as coffee and tea** Although the consumption of tea and coffee is not recommended for many people, people with hemochromatosis can include these drinks in their daily consumption. And the reason is that coffee and tea contain substances called tannin or tannic acid, which prevents the absorption of iron.

**What food should people with hemochromatosis avoid?** Due to the importance of diet in controlling the amount of iron in the body, people with hemochromatosis should avoid consuming some iron-containing foods, which we will discuss below. - **red meat** We all know red meat as a rich source of protein and iron. The iron in red meat is heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. For this reason, red meat is one of the foods that should be greatly reduced in consumption by people with hemochromatosis. Of course, this sentence does not mean to remove it completely. You can consume red meat one to two times a week after consulting your doctor. You can also consume foods that reduce iron absorption by the body at the same time as consuming this food. - **foods rich in vitamin A** **and C** As mentioned earlier, vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body, so use it in moderation. On the other hand, the consumption of vitamin A, similar to vitamin C, leads to an increase in iron absorption. - **fortified foods** Today, many foods are enriched with valuable nutrients such as protein and iron. It is better to know that many fortified foods contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc. Therefore, consumption of these foods should be avoided by people with hemochromatosis. When buying fortified foods, pay attention to the presence of iron in it. - **use of supplements** Although there is not much research on the effect of supplements on iron absorption and their effect on hemochromatosis, you should avoid taking the following supplements: - **Iron**: Iron is the main food that people with hemochromatosis should avoid consuming food and especially supplements containing it. Because the consumption of iron in people with hemochromatosis can expose them to the risk of absorbing and storing too much iron. - **multivitamin**: Although the use of multivitamins can be useful for many people, people with hemochromatosis should avoid using these supplements or use multiminerals with caution. Because multivitamins contain large amounts of iron, vitamin C and other nutrients that increase iron absorption. Therefore, if you plan to include multivitamins in your program, be sure to check their labels and consult with your doctor. - **Vitamin C**: As already mentioned, the consumption of vitamin C increases the absorption of iron and the main reason for people suffering from anemia is the same because vitamin C is a very good supplement for absorbing iron and treating anemia caused by iron deficiency. However, people with hemochromatosis should avoid consuming vitamin C, although they can get the amount they need through useful fruits and vegetables.

**The last word is…** Although it is very important for people with hemochromatosis to control their intake of iron-rich foods, they should not completely eliminate iron-rich foods from their diet, as these foods contain large amounts of essential vitamins, proteins, and minerals. If you want to reduce your iron intake, you can eat foods containing iron in moderation. A combination of low-iron and high-iron foods, with a balance of heme and non-heme iron, can help you maintain healthy iron levels. The best way to have a healthy diet in terms of iron levels is to consult a specialist.

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