Healthy by Nature radio show this week: It seems unusual for a chiropractor to talk about how he helps his patients look better and younger. Dr. Brian Nimphius does. Educator Tim Mount will discuss avoiding (and perhaps reversing) some of the less desirable aspects of aging: wrinkles, thinning hair, frail bones, weak joints and pain. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.
 
Iron a double-edged sword?
In the newsletter last week I talked about some of the pros and cons of eating red meat. One factor that can be both a blessing or a serious problem is meat’s content of iron. Like other nutritionals, BALANCE is the key. This nonprofit website has great information about problems that people experience at both extremes of too little iron and too much: LINK.

Our bodies use the mineral iron in forming the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. Iron intake can be especially important for pregnant women as well as growing kids (insufficiency is associated with ADD/ADHD). But, in accidental overdose (like a toddler eating a bottle of mom’s multivitamins), iron can be toxic or even lethal. Sometimes the elderly are written off as demented when they are simply low in iron (anemic). At the other extreme, as we age, we may store too much iron in our brains cells and that accumulation of iron is implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In fact, in animal studies, lowering the levels of excess iron to normal improved AD symptoms. LINK.

What is iron’s problem? Iron that is in excess of that needed to do its job can act as an oxidant. Oxidants are what we fight with anti-oxidant nutrients (they steal electrons from other molecules). As you have no doubt experienced, iron, in the presence of water and oxygen, can become oxidized or as we usually call it, “rusty”. But excess iron in tissues can act as an oxidant and damage healthy cells or even genes basically making them kind of rusty. That’s why an excess of iron is associated with diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. Bill Sardi, author of The Iron Time Bomb: How Iron Adversely Affects Your Health long ago discussed this problem on our show and pointed out that iron overload is also one cause of premature aging. Recent research confirms iron’s effect on one measure of aging, shortening of telomeres (defined and discussed next week). LINK.

What causes iron overload? It can be caused by genetics, liver disease and other conditions. Normally, young women have a monthly loss of blood that keeps their iron in check until after menopause or hysterectomy. For men and older women, over-consuming foods with high iron content is one cause. Besides, red meat, these foods are also high in iron: egg yolks, dark leafy greens, prunes, raisins, iron-enriched breads / cereals, oysters, clams, scallops, giblets, beans, lentils, chick peas, soybeans, liver and artichokes. Multivitamins containing iron are another source. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. That effect will work for you if you are trying to fight anemia. But if you are trying to reduce storage, take your vitamin C away from meals that contain iron. Alcohol and sugar also increase iron absorption.

Testing? A good test of iron storage in the body is “serum ferritin” but, you may have to request that analysis specifically when getting routine blood tests because assessing excess iron storage isn’t yet standard practice. The ideal test result is between 40-60 ng/ml and trouble can ensue with scores higher and lower than that.

How to get rid of excess stored iron? If you are able, donating blood regularly is a win/win. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6 for short) is a substance that occurs naturally in seeds and bran (e.g. rice). It is perhaps the most powerful chelator (remover) of not only iron, but also of damaging heavy metals like lead and mercury. This article is an excellent explanation of how IP6 might even be used as support for cancer treatment. Several brands sell IP6 products. Jarrow is an example. Longevinex also contains IP6.

What’s Up?
For those in the Dallas Fort Worth area, there will be an Ezzi-lift Spring Party (Mother’s Day too) on May 4th, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Express at Beltway and Midway in Addison. Come and go as you please. There will be refreshments, special deals and other neat stuff to be announced next week. For those not in the area, visit this LINK to find Avazzia and Ezzi-lift opportunities in your area and online.  
 
Last Week
LINK to Archive. Dallas area integrative practitioner, Alfred Johnson, DO was in the studio to co-host. We discussed allergies and chemical contamination with Doris Rapp, MD. She is the world-renowned author of a number of books including: 32 Tips That Could Save Your Life; Is This Your Child?; and Our Toxic World. This show is a classic.

Please help spread the good word-forward this newsletter to friends and family.
My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2013 Martie Whittekin, CCN