Diet and Haemochromatosis | What to eat with iron overload - Explained by a DIETITIAN

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⏰TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:46 What is haemochromatosis
01:24 Signs & Symptoms of Haemochromatosis
01:46 Causes of Haemochromatosis
02:34 Treatment of Haemochromatosis
03:09 The role of diet in the treatment of harmochromatosis
04:45 Foods High in iron
05:05 Iron Absorption
05:22 Haem Iron and Non-haem iron
05:48 Iron Inhibitors
06:52 Iron Enhancers
07:41 Alcohol and haemochromatosis
08:28 Pregnancy and haemochromatosis
09:19 Iron Supplements - Haemochromatosis
09:49 Raw Shellfish and Haemochromatosis
10:28 Fortified Foods and Haemochromatosis
10:57 Tips for Venesection

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This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always speak to a healthcare provider about your unique health needs. Please use this video (as with all of my videos) as educational, not as unique recommendations.

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If you are new here, I'm Maria, a Registered Dietitian in Ireland and Bermuda. I aim to educate people on evidence-based nutrition and inspire others to lead healthier, happier lives. I provide nutrition education through my social media platforms and deliver online healthy eating courses. I also provide virtual dietitian appointments and in-person dietitian services in Cork, Kerry, and Dublin seasonally.

Thank you for watching my video!

Haemochromatosis is an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb excess iron from the diet. It can lead to severe health problems when the excess iron accumulates in vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, joints, and heart.

SYMPTOMS typically start between ages 30-40 and include tiredness, weakness, headaches, joint pain, and sometimes weight loss. Some may have no symptoms for a long time.

Haemochromatosis is a genetic condition that affects how your body absorbs iron from the food you eat.

Hemochromatosis has no cure, but regular venesection or blood removal can reduce iron levels and the risk of damage.

Hemochromatosis can't be treated by diet alone. Blood removal or venesections are the primary treatment. However, some dietary changes can help:
1. The amount of iron in your food
2. How easy or difficult is it for your body to absorb that iron
3. Adding in foods that reduce iron absorption
4. Avoiding or limiting foods that increase iron absorption.

Iron is an essential nutrient, so you don't need to eliminate all iron-rich foods if you have haemochromatosis. However, it's best to limit your consumption of high-iron foods.

Iron in meat is easily absorbed, whereas iron in plant-based foods is tougher for the body to absorb. People with haemochromatosis should eat more foods with non-haem iron.

Inhibitors are foods that reduce iron absorption. They work by binding to or competing with iron. Common inhibitors are phytates (found in nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, and whole grains), polyphenols (found in tea and coffee), calcium-rich foods, dietary fibre and oxalates (in green leafy veggies, almonds, beetroot, berries, soy foods, and rhubarb).

Enhancers increase the amount of iron your body absorbs. It is best to avoid eating these foods or nutrients when you are eating foods high in iron. Enhancers include fructose (found mainly in fruit juices), alcohol, vitamin C and supplements.

Alcohol is a concern for those with hemochromatosis as it's an enhancer that increases iron absorption. It's worth noting that alcohol is a source of iron. Cider, in particular, is very high in iron.

If you have hemochromatosis and become pregnant, inform your medical staff. Pregnancy changes how your body handles iron, so consult your doctor for individual advice.

Don't take iron supplements; if you are taking a multivitamin, check that it doesn't contain iron; this can actually be quite difficult if you are a female, as most will have iron in them.

[Renofirefly]

Out of all the videos I've watched, yours is the only one that explains why we need to avoid shellfish with hemochromatosis.

[nqgzxff]

I have high ferritin 650 nmols/l, i then told mybdoctor i had a moderate drinkinp problem. He told me the tests told him i had a stressed liver and fatty liver. So i quit. My ferritin went down to about 320but has stayed borderline high. He wont test me for haemochromatosis or iron overload. I would be afraid to ask him for phlebotomy. Im caucasion in Canada irish ancestors. I cant give blood because im on blood thinners. A lot of doctors go by straight and narrow criteria and dont deali with iron overload properly. As you say diet alone is not enough. Doctors wake up.

[dianagervais]

Got diagnosed at the beginning of Covid. I am fine after phlebotomies and am a chapter lead for a Hemochromatosis non profit awareness group :-)

[MajorLeeFitFam]

I just got diagnosed at 27… I had no idea this even existed! I’ve been feeling horrible for the past few years and I feel like I finally understand why. Thank you for this video! It was very informative on a disease that I feel like no one talks about at least in the U.S.!

[amosteg]

Diagnosed in 2021. Did weekly venesection for months. We have high iron content in our water, so got a water filter. Also check for gout from calcium deposits if you think you have arthritis..
Great video..Thank you.

[stephenjones]

I was diagnosed with the viking curse in 1996 .Have bad arthritis in my knees need replacing thumbs, elbows i was the first patient in my drs care at the time before he retired he told me he'd now got 6 ! I've had over a thousand venesections from then till now .My first three years i was drained weekly, now 4 times a year . So as long as you keep up your treatment its not a death sentence.

[djangounhinged]

Yes, I was diagnosed about 13 years ago - now 62. The diagnosis was after constant symptoms - first blood tests showed elevated ferritin and a follow up genetic test showed I was meant to be a carrier only. So yes, it is not uncommon for carriers to also be affected as I have learned. Unfortunately I have now retired in Asia where the condition is almost non-existant and likewise the expertise in the medical community. I have a difficult time getting assistance or buy-in from my doctor here - I am the one developing the treatment schedule and requesting blood tests and phlebotomy sessions and monitoring the results.

[YvonneMorrell-iy]

Thank you. I found this the most informative thing I’ve seen since being diagnosed 3 years ago aged 53.

[Retarmy]

I was just diagnosed with hereditary homochromatosis I start treatment next week
I'm healthy 62 . Retired usa I still go to the gym every other day. I'm thankful for the doctor at fort leonwood. Missouri.

[Marthajamjam]

Just got diagnosed with it! I had 2 copies of the gene. Hopefully I’d was caught early on. And it hasn’t affected my liver 🤞🙏

[caoimheguinnane]

Thanks a million for putting this video together. it was badly needed as I haven't found many simply and direct videos explaining HH especially with direction around food intake etc. I was diagnosed at 24 years old luckily.

[lisamcmullan]

Thank you for your information which is to the point of what we can do to alleviate this condition.

[Straightline_PT]

Great video, recently diagnosed. Theres lots of different information regarding the nutrition but this video is very digestible and practical. Thanks again 💪🙏

[tayloranderson]

I'm almost 3 years without needing phlebotomy. Eat low iron, non heme iron, low vitamin c, and tea. IMO this should be the first line "treatment" or advice given to people with HH problems, we simply are programmed to absorb more iron than normal, so we need to eat less than normal. Phlebotomy is a great power tool if needed, but #1 thing is just to make sure people aren't over eating iron.

[panickingrabbit]

Thank you very much for information. I have Ferritin high. I had my first time blood donation last much. I am with you who have Iron overloaded. ❤ Turmeric+black pepper add to your meal is good for liver and also cottage cheese.

[bernadineperry]

The diet advice is very clear and easy to follow. All the advice is so good and necessary. Thank you

[johnandrews]

Very informative video thank you, I have this problem for 20 years now and the venesection is the only way to go. It’s nice to see that you are talking about it too help others keep up the good work

[evinoc]

Very good video. I was diagnosed at 18 (now 32) after my mother was diagnosed. My ferritin was 600+ at the time. All of what you said is spot on. Diet and exercise is crucial but as you said venesection is the best treatment for reduction. The diet is important to prevent fatty liver, diabetes, etc. and not overworking the liver. it seems a balanced / Mediterranean style diet seems like a solid choice. Cutting alcohol and shellfish was definitely difficult, although the hangovers are so brutal it made it easier

[camcurv-a-match]

Thank you, very informative. Short and straight to the point.

[Crunchyplum]

Last time I checked my ferritin went up to 1119 from 888 in a week I’m waiting now to see a specialist and to get my results back for haemochromatosis