Why is excess Iron bad for you?

[GearTripper]

what/why specifically is excess iron bad for you?

[bonebreaker]

Damn, If we can't eat fish and chicken, what the hell can we eat? BB


Several studies have shown that high blood levels of iron are associated with an increased risk of suffering heart attacks and cancers, particularly, those of the esophagus and bladder. A study from Harvard showed that it may be the meat source of iron, rather than just the iron itself, that causes the heart attacks and cancers.

People who eat a lot of meat, fish and chicken have higher blood levels of iron than vegetarians. The iron in meat, fish and chicken is called heme iron, which is absorbed at a very high level, around 10-20 percent. On the other hand, the iron that you get from plants is absorbed very poorly; only one to three percent of the iron from leafy green vegetables and other plant sources of iron is absorbed.

Even though there is an association between high iron levels and cancer and heart attacks, we do not know if the iron causes these diseases. You can find out if your iron level is too high by asking you doctor to draw blood for a test called transferrin iron binding saturation. People with a transferrin iron binding saturation of more than 60 percent are at increased risk for developing heart attacks and cancers. If your level is greater than 60 percent, you can reduce your intake of iron by restricting meat, fish, chicken and iron-supplemented foods, and you can get rid of extra iron by donating blood 6 or more times a year.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News
Checked 12/9/03

[Gary]

yeah, I have heard about donating blood to reduce the iron levels in men. I didn't know that it was 6 times a year. Seems like a lot.

Other sources of iron are cereals and bread. I just checked a box of Rice Chex and one serving provides 50% of minimum daily requirement (wow).

[GearTripper]

and i just ordered 3 months supply of a multi-vitamin WITH Iron :cursin:

[GearTripper]

Originally posted by bonebreaker
...and you can get rid of extra iron by donating blood 6 or more times a year.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News
Checked 12/9/03

my local blood banks allow a donation every 5 weeks (6 maybe) so i guess i'm gonna be donating a lot this year :)

[bonebreaker]

My doc says he's going to check me again in 3 months and if it's stiil too high he's going to start me on some medication to lower. Must be a big deal. So, obviously it happens to people all the time. I had just never heard of it. BB