Benefits Of Iron

Iron aka FE play important roles in our biological process.

Iron is one of the most important mineral and is vital for the human health. About sixty five percent of bodily iron is contained in the red pigment of blood known as hemoglobin. It is responsible for the dark red color of the blood and is the carrier of oxygen to every cell of the body. Iron can be obtained from both vegetarian and non-vegetarian sources. Vegetarian foods provide heme iron whereas non vegetarian foods provide foods non-heme iron. Green leafy vegetables, spinach, turnip, broccoli, and sprouts, are rich sources of iron.
Sufficient amounts of iron should be taken as it has the following benefits:
1.Chief component of hemoglobin.
Iron is the chief component of hemoglobin, which itself is a vital part of blood. It is responsible for carrying oxygen- the life of living beings to every cells of the body.

2.Maintain the development and health of the brain.
The human brain consumes twenty percent of oxygen supplied to it by blood. Iron is present in every trace of blood carrying this oxygen and it is also absorbed by the brain. Presence of iron in the blood is therefore directly related to the development of the brain and maintenance of its health.

3.Helps in treating Anemia.
Deficiency of iron in the body causes anemia and can be cured by consuming rich amounts of iron either as natural food or in the form of supplements.

4.Treats the problems of painful periods.
Iron supplements are useful for relieving pain that comes along with monthly menstruation. Daily intake of iron supplements can help to cure this problem.

5.Helps to improve body metabolism.
Iron is an essential protein component that helps to improve body metabolism.

6.Improves the immunity of the body.
Regular and sufficient intake of iron helps to improve the defense mechanism of the body. It thus helps the body to fight many infections and inflammations.

7.Improves sleep.
Iron encourages sleep and prevents problems like insomnia

8.Improves concentration.
Intake of iron helps improve concentration in children. Children who take in good quantities of iron are better learners than others.

9.Improves physical performance.
Iron boosts the energy levels of the body. It is thus linked with improving physical performance.

10.Help to improve endocrine function.

Iron is an important component of most enzymes in the body. Thus sufficient amounts of iron in the body help to improve the endocrine function.

Iron is very beneficial for the body and should be taken through natural sources. Iron supplements should only consumed after consulting a doctor as excessive doses of these can cause serious problems and even death in case of small children.

Eating food rich in iron and rich in Vitamin C. The presence of vitamin C can increase iron's absorption by as much as 30 percent.

Avoid taking an antacid at the same time you take iron. Stomach acid is needed to properly absorb iron.
Unfortunately, many IC patients are told to avoid vitamin C and many patients are taking antacids such as tums and prelief on a regular bases which contributes to iron deficiency.
Vitamin C is vital to our health as is iron. True some people may be sensitive to tomatoes and citrus but there are many foods that contain both vitamin C. See a list of foods HERE.
The best way to determine whether or not you are sensitive to a particular food like acid try eating a "mono meal" (Eating only one food at a meal is known as a monotrophic meal) and then waiting 3 to 4 hours before your next meal to see if you have a reaction.
Patients with neurogenic pain often have a sensitivity to citrus, tomatoes and night shade foods like peppers, eggplant and potatoes. These particular foods can cause or worsen inflammation. We are all individuals so not everyone has the same sensitivities, like I said eat a mono meal and it is extremely beneficial to make the effort to keep a journal.
We are do have the same digestive system so with that in mind the rule of thumb should always be that we eat food that digest quickly and exit the body quickly.

My nutritional coach said " A limited diet or a limited life due to pain, the choice is yours.

Today I eat foods that digest quickly and that exit quickly and I have far less retention, frequency, constipation which all can creates lots of discomfort and pain.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency can be found HERE.

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Pumpkin Nog or Pumpkin Smoothie

Pumpkin Nog

Juice one "pie" pumpkin

1/2 cup water

1 tsp local raw honey

1/4 tsp pumpkin spice or cinnamon

a quarter inch piece of fresh ginger, chopped

Juice the pumpkin in your juicer (save the pulp and seeds). Pour fresh juice into your blender. Add spices, raw honey, water and blend on high until smooth (add more water if needed).

Chili before serving and garnish with your fruit or your favorite spice.

Pumpkin Smoothie

1 banana, frozen

1 cup almond milk

1 cup grated pumpkin

1 tbsp. raw honey or two meejol dates, pitted

Add a 1/4 tsp of the following spices cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and all spice.

Add ingredients to a high powdered blender and blend until it reaches a smooth creamey consistency. To thicken add 1/2 banana to then add a little more almond milk.

Note: You want to peel and slice your banana and freeze at least two hrs before using. I freeze my banana the night before.

This is a "pie" pumpkin, as you can see they are small.

Raw Pumpkin Pie

Crust: 2 cups almonds, 4 dates, pitted and soaked and 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions: Pulse the almonds in a food processor until evenly ground, do not over process or you end up with almond butter. Add dates and process into a dough like consistency. Grease an 8-inch pie pan with coconut oil and press your crust into pan . Place in freeze to set while you make your filling.

Filling:

2 c. cubed pumpkin, meat of 1 young coconut (reserve coconut water), 1/2 c. raw almonds soaked, 1/2 c. dates, soaked,