Vegan Health ArticlesIron
A Vegan Health Article from All-Creatures.org

These vegan health articles are presented to assist you in taking a pro-active part in your own health.

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From Dr. Neal Pinckney
www.kumu.org

One of the common beliefs about a vegetarian diet is that it doesn't supply enough iron. Vegetarians do not have a higher incidence of iron deficiency than meat eaters. While animal proteins and dairy products do have iron, some plant foods are even richer. Iron deficiency anemia is most commonly found in young women and children who are currently eating red meat, fowl and fish.

Iron is a central part of hemoglobin, carrying oxygen in the blood. It is found in food in two forms, the first type, about 40% of the iron in meat, poultry, and fish, is well absorbed. The other type, 100% of the iron in plant foods and 60% of the iron in animal tissue, is somewhat less well absorbed, when isolated.

Because vegetarians eat the form of iron that is not as well absorbed, it is often believed that they will develop iron deficiency anemia, but that has not proven to be the case. Iron absorption is reduced by some foods. Tannin in tea binds iron in the intestines, decreasing its absorption. Drinking tea between meals or using herbal teas would allow better iron absorption than taking tea with meals. This absorption factor has caused some confusion, but it has proved not to be an important issue for those eating a well balanced vegetarian diet.

Most vegetarian diets are high in ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which increases iron absorption up to six times. making the absorption of plant-based iron as good or better than animal-based iron. Many vegetables, such as broccoli and bok choy are high in iron and in vitamin C, so that the iron in these foods is well absorbed. Beans and tomato sauce or stir-fried tofu and broccoli, common vegetarian combinations, allow generous levels of iron absorption. The iron in plant foods is superior to that derived from animal foods when the amount iron per calorie is considered. Just 100 calories of spinach has as much iron as 340 calories of sirloin steak.

Instead of worrying about not getting enough iron, people with a high heart risk factor should make sure they're not getting too much. Clinical studies have shown that high iron levels may be related to heart disease. Men who take a multi-vitamin daily should be sure that iron is not one of the minerals included. The RDA for iron is 15 milligrams per day for an adult woman. Men and post-menopausal women only need 10 milligrams daily.


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All-Creatures.org Health Position and Disclaimer

We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.