When I quit eating beef and pork my iron levels

were safe for twice as long. And I started losing

weight at a safe rate.

Of course I wasn't stuffing myself with french bread,

calorie and iron packed sandwiches for my midnight

snacks any longer. I switched from colas to green tea.

More energy and less appetite. Very nice and so good

for the body.

Green tea contains tannins which slow down iron

absorbtion. Another plus. Seeing as how HH affects

the heart and joints I have been taking Omega3 fish oil.

Helps guard against stroke and arthritis problems.

People with hemochromatosis are 32% more likely to

suffer a stroke or heart attack or both. Preventing

cancer of the liver is crucial. Medications should

only be used when absolutely necessary.

Hemochromatosis sufferers that test with elevated

liver enzymes, must avoid acetemetaphen altogether

and alcohol should be avoided. Make sure and pay

attention to processed foods you eat for added iron

or vitamin C. You don't want it. Oatmeal or shreddedbr>
wheat should be selected instead of fortified breakfast

cereal.

B complex supplements, including B6, folic acid and

B12 are beneficial. Low amounts of vitamin E, 50 IUs

daily is also good for you. Never take any over-the-
counter vitamin C in pill form. It will facilitate in

storing iron in the heart muscle where it sets up heart

rhythm irregularities.

It can also stir up the iron stored in the joints and

exasperate arthritis. We all need vitamin C in our diet.

Where should we get it? Any raw food. Fruits, juices and

salads are very good choices. Multi vitamins, even those

not containing iron should not be taken because of the

vitamin C.

Those with hemochromatosis should avoid eating or

handling raw seafood. Cooked is fine. Iron overloaded

folks should not walk on beaches without foot protection.

This is because of a bacteria called vibrio vulnificus.

It is common in all sea water. When it mixes with stored

iron, it becomes a deadly toxin. Vibrio vulnificus causes

a number of deaths every year. Pretty scary stuff.

When your body accumulates more iron than it needs,

it will build up and stay in the liver, your heart,

our brains, pancreas, joints and pretty much everywhere.

Iron rusts - and results in dangerous and deadly problems

such as heart disease, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver,

cancer, arthritis, sexual dysfunction and more.

Having a correct iron level is a great boost to the

immune system. Cancer cells, viruses, and bacteria have

a much more difficult time surviving in a low iron

environment.

Pat was diagnosed with hemochromatosisin 1997.

He has many tips to make phlebotomy and survival

much easier. He can teach you many things that most

doctors don't know.

Check out the HH Bible

1 Comment »

1. 

   Hey Pat,

   I have hh, and appreciate your honesty and vigilance. Having gone through the gauntlet of doctors visits and diagnoses, I was already up to speed with most of your excellent tips. However, I was happy to find out about the green tea. I have been obsessed with green tea for the past couple of years. I guess it was my body telling me what it needed in a way. Funny how that will work out. The heme and non-heme was great too. I have found in my (and my doctor’s) research that some calciums are far better than others at slowing iron absorption. Specifically Calcium Citrate(49% reduction) and Calcium Phosphate(62% reduction!). Taking supplements before meals is a super idea.

   Anyway, thanks for the great links. Keep up the good work. Good luck.

   Comment by Stephen — March 1, 2009 @ 9:37 am

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