Tips for Getting and Absorbing Iron

• Eat foods that are good sources of iron. Concentrate on green, leafy vegetables, lean, red meat, beef liver, poultry, fish, wheat germ, oysters, dried fruit, prune juice and iron-fortified cereals.
• Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and strawberries. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron from food.
• If you drink tea, drink it between meals because the tannins in tea inhibit iron absorption. Alternatively, add milk to the tea - the calcium in milk binds with the tannins. (Herbal tea does not have tannins.)
• Take an iron supplement, but check with your doctor first. Note: Recent research is suggesting that high levels of iron in the blood may increase the risk for heart attacks.
• Avoid antacids, phosphates (found in soft drinks, beer, ice cream, etc.), and the food additive EDTA. These block iron absorption.

Grain products supply almost half the iron in the American diet, and meats supplied nearly one-fifth (but are better absorbed). About one tenth of the iron in the American diet also came from vegetables. Foods that contain small amounts of iron, but are not considered good sources, can contribute significant amounts of iron to an individual's diet if these foods are eaten often or in large amounts.

When oral iron does not raise iron levels, iron by injection or infusion may be required.

A product called Floradix provides enhanced absorption of iron by using a highly absorbable form of iron, iron gluconate. Floradix also contains B vitamins and vitamin C to enhance absorption, herbal extracts to increase digestion, and fruit juices to ensure proper stomach acidity. A twenty milligram dose of Floradix satisfies the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of fifteen milligrams of iron for women of child-bearing age. An excellent Naturopathic product.