Hemochromatosis Support Group

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which causes iron to accumulate in a number of body tissues, eventually causing organ dysfunction. It is the main iron overload disorder. Hemochromatosis is notorious for having symptoms that are often initially misattributed to other diseases.

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YREKADC 02/17/2011

does anyone know if eating cashew,almond are bad to eat?? I am confused. I understand they are high in iron. which the info from HH.org, says they are.
I make my own "trail mix" minus raisons and have been eating it very regularly. They are suppose to be good for fiber etc.? I also thought I read they are like spinach and have something in them that slows down the absorption of iron. Please tell me they are ok. I munch them all the time. The doc says they are better for me than cold beer??
Any thoughts will be appreciated. tanks duane

stephen63 02/17/2011

Found this website

http://www.livestrong.com/article/284339-foods-that-inhibit-iron-absorption/

Seems some nuts may help.

deleted_user 02/18/2011

Hi YR,
Apart from avoiding Vit C, iron-enriched foods and red meat,HH patients are usually advised not to try and cut out iron from the diet. Most of the iron in veggies etc is non-absorbable iron anyway. Apart from that you need a certain amount of iron on your diet, and it's practically impossible to cut it out entirely anyway, Me I love cherry tomatoes and eat them by the bucket-load. I'd say enjoy your almonds!

deleted_user 02/18/2011

Good link, just read it - looks like you're okay :-)

YREKADC 02/18/2011

thanks andrea. I went to the sight too. I try not to be anal about trying to avoid iron , but I have used my trail mix ( cashews, almonds, dark chocolate m&m's), to help me eat half way normal. I don't have much of an apatite most the time. I seem able to keep it down and not get loose bowels. I have never been a snack food fan. In other words I munch on them pretty much all day. I am glad they are ok.. It is hard to do without beef and deer meat. I am lucky I love chicken. It tastes just like chicken!! I do eat most all veggies. What do you think about cherries?? they are really high in iron. a couple grams per 10 cherries!! I read that after chowing down on a pound of them. thanks again for all the great input..

deleted_user 02/18/2011

To be perfectly honest with you YR, I've never worried about the iron in food. I love a glass of pure orange juice and those cherry toms! Mind you, I *am* de-ironed and drink lots of tea (being a Brit!). Also, I have a tiny appetite (due to hypothyroidism) so probably couldn't OD on iron in food if I tried :-)

YREKADC 02/18/2011

Thanks Andrea. By the way my name is Duane. I am in the beginning stages of de ironing. My ferritin is now 420 from 980. Aways to go. I just figure the less iron I take in at least for now is less I will need to be bled in the future... I had an inlarged liver that is now shrinking back to normal. I have lost about 50 lbs. since Dec. 2010. It's amazing how much weight you can loose by quiting drinking beer. Oh well I reckon I drank my share and then some. Take care now and thanks again. Duane

deleted_user 02/18/2011

....lost 50 pounds since Dec 2010???? I'm going to make some trail mix..... be back soon :)

Does it matter if I've never had a beer ? :)

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