Low blood iron.

[damomma94]

I've been high raw for 8 months. I gave blood about 3 months ago with out much of a problem. My iron was on the low side, but fine to donate. But today, they would take my blood. The bottom number is 38 and I have a 37. So they sent me on my way. Anyone have any information or comments to add to thought on low iron?

[Shmoopie]

No, other than to say to make sure you're getting a ton of dark greens, if you aren't already. Spinach, collards, etc. All very good on iron.

[Ireland]

Raisins are loaded with iron. I found a great link on vegan iron sources:

http://www.dfwnetmall.com/veg/plantfoodshighcontentiron.htm

Anyhow, it looks like you have lots of options :)

[auroral]

You could talk to your doctor and see if they recommend iron supplements.

[lissomllama]

Sorry you're feeling low. Make sure you are eating lots of dark leafy greens and strawberries also contain alot of iron.

Also, just something to think about: consider the source, the most likely establishment to tell you that your iron levels are low is doctor's offices because they get their money from pharmaceutical companies and it is in their best interest that you stay sick by eating a mainstream american diet, this way when you get cancer and heart disease from eating meat all your life, they can prescribe you all sorts of expensive medications and surgeries and make all the money they want off you while remaining the presumed 'good guys' because "they're only trying to help you" right? So of course when you stop eating the meat which supposedly contains so much iron they're going to tell you that you are defficient and blah blah blah.

Bottom line, how do you feel? Do you feel healthy? Listen to your body, if you are deficient your body will tell you so. Our bodies are very intelligent, they let us know when something is wrong. It shouldn't take anoher person to tell you what s going on inside you, be in touch with yourself and you will know.

[tvillemom]

The day I go to give blood, I drink a green smoothie for breakfast...eat raisins all day, and depending on what time I give, I may even go for another green smoothie. Maybe add an orange to your green smoothie. I haven't had a problem with my iron yet. I hate to hear that from you....I always worry about that myself :( I get really nervous waiting for the iron check! Could you try back in a week or so....maybe you could remedy the problem by then??
Wendi

[damomma94]

In the past two days I have gotten such a wealth of information from this site and all the wonderful people here. Thank you thank you thank you!!! I haven't been drink any green smoothies I will give them a try. I do eat a bunch of spinach and raisins and berries.

It is great to have such a fabulous source of support and encouragement. Thanks again.

[wisslewj]

Damomma and Tville,

One thing many dont understand is that it isnt enough to simply eat iron. There are many things that inhibit uptake.

For starters, unlike many substances, the body regulates iron uptake BEFORE it enters the system, not while in it. What this means is that the system must be encouraged to accept iron as well as meet certain criteria.

Mineral assimilation is affected by body pH. Thus they have different pH levels at which they can be assimilated into the body. Minerals on the lower end of the atomic scale can be assimilated in a wider pH range, and minerals higher up on the scale require a narrower and narrower pH range in order to be assimilated by the body.

For example:

1. Sodium and magnesium have wide pH assimilation ranges.
2. It narrows somewhat for calcium and potassium.
3. Narrows more for manganese and iron.
4. Narrows more for zinc and copper.
5. Even more for iodine. Iodine, which is high up on the atomic scale, requires near perfect pH for its assimilation into the body.

What this means is that your body must be near balanced internally to be able to assimilate iron. If it isnt, it will not be absorbed no matter how much you eat.

Assuming the problem isnt a pH issue, the next thing to look at is the necessary carriers of iron. There are a number but I will address the ones most are missing. Iron uptake is assisted by copper and Boron, two trace minerals. Copper is usually deficient due to soil just being deficient in trace minerals these days. Boron is a little trickier.

So, try making sure to get enough Boron, copper and check your internal pH. (there is a way to do this where you test the saliva and I think multiply by 2 and the urine and divide by 3 and then total this. I am not 100% sure that this works, but I know it goes something like that. Perhaps someone else can remember the exact method?) Once that is ok, dump the iron on in and wait for the iron rush! :)

(By the way, dont overdo copper as it can act as a brain irritant in exces and make ya cranky!)

Hope thats of some help. You can email me if you have any more questions.

God Bless
Jeff
wisslewj@yahoo.com

[maryonherway]

I used to have the same problem when trying to donate. I was told that a few weeks before donating to increase the food that would help build up the iron in my blood. Also, not sure how old you are, but if you are donating while on, or having just finished, your period, that may be the problem, too.
Good luck! And thanks to you and others who donate!!

[Shmoopie]

Jeff, thank you for all that information! Very interesting!

[RawTruth]

You could talk to your doctor and see if they recommend iron supplements.With respect for differing opinions, I strongly disagree with this recommendation.

I suggest you go all raw.

Allopathic physicians are not educated on nutrition and almost no one is educated in raw nutrition. Giving you supplements is an easy out. Taking supplements cause more problems than they solve. Plus, the amount of iron we really need to show up in our blood may not be the amount that "they" say we need.

But, first, do YOU think you're anemic? Do you have any symptoms? There may not be a problem, actually.

Regardless -- go raw!