Iron carries oxygen through your body on red blood cells. But a condition called hemochromatosis, where too much iron builds up in your blood, can cause serious damage to organs, including your heart and liver. While reducing the iron in your diet won't cure hemochromatosis, eMedTV states, decreasing the amount of iron in your blood may help.
Causes
Hemochromatosis can occur as a primary or secondary disease. Around 1 in 200 Caucasians have genetic hemochromatosis, which results in increased iron absorption from the intestine, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Liver Center. Hemochromatosis can also occur as a secondary problem from another disease process. Getting frequent blood transfusions, having certain types of anemia and alcoholism can all cause secondary hemochromatosis.
Types
Iron in your diet comes from two sources: heme, meaning blood, which includes meat sources, and non-heme, or plant sources. In addition to reducing foods that contain large amounts of iron, your doctor may also limit foods that increase iron absorption.
Foods High in Heme Iron
If you have hemochromatosis, reducing your intake of food with a high heme iron content -- the type of iron best absorbed -- helps decrease iron levels. Limit red meat, since red meat contains the most heme iron. Meats highest in heme iron include venison, lamb, all types of beef, liver and pork. Chicken contains a smaller amount of total iron and no heme iron, Hemochromatosis.org states. Fish that contain the highest amounts of total and heme iron include mussels, shrimp and lobster.
Foods That Increase Iron Absorption
Foods that increase iron absorption can worsen hemochromatosis and should be limited. Limit vitamin C intake to 200 mg daily, since vitamin C increases iron absorption. Alcohol, coffee, tea and sugar also increase iron absorption. Vegetables and fruits are high in fiber, which helps eliminate excess iron. They do contain non-heme iron, but non-heme iron is poorly absorbed.
Concerns
People with hemochromatosis should not eat or handle raw shellfish. Shellfish can contain bacteria called vibrio vulnificus, which can cause death in people with high iron levels. Don't even walk barefoot on the beach where raw shellfish may be present if you have hemochromatosis, warns Hemochromatosis.org. While dietary measures can help control iron levels, the most effective treatment for hemochromatosis is phlebotomy, removal of blood from the body to lower the overall amount of iron present.
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