Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

STOP Taking Iron Supplements Now

Dec 14, 2024

Excess iron can dangerously accumulate in organs, leading to serious conditions like cancer and liver disease. Surprisingly, many people don’t absorb much from iron supplements, causing digestive issues instead. Red meat and fish offer heme iron that's absorbed better and comes packed with other nutrients. It’s crucial to balance iron intake with copper and obtain iron from natural food sources instead of processed options. The dangers of iron overload are often overlooked, making awareness essential.

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The Dangers of Iron Overload and the Importance of Copper

00:00 • 7min

DATA:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22704...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14580...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15247...

Too much iron over time can cause iron accumulation in your organs and tissues. Some people have a genetic problem that makes it difficult to eliminate iron if it accumulates too much.

Potential side effects of too much iron include the following:

1. Cancer

2. Liver disease

3. Heart disease

4. Low testosterone

5. Low libido

6. Diabetes

7. Chronic fatigue syndrome

8. Infertility

9. Neurodegeneration

10. Inflammatory diseases

Iron deficiency is one of the most common mineral deficiencies, but iron can also be dangerous if you’re getting too much. Iron toxicity is one of the most underdiagnosed and overlooked conditions.

When you take iron supplements, you don't absorb very much. The excess iron accumulates in the digestive tract, causing constipation, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and irritation of the colon. The type of iron in iron supplements feeds pathogens.

Red meat is a better source of iron. Heme iron from red meat and fish is absorbed much more easily. It goes straight into the bloodstream. Red meat also has other nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, and selenium. High-quality protein also helps to balance iron.

Many processed foods contain added iron in the forms of ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, and ferrous gluconate. The most common sources of iron are supplements, fortification, and cooking with cast iron cookware. Liver damage will also cause you to accumulate iron.

A lack of copper is a common cause of dysfunctional iron because copper helps control iron in the body. Many enzymes dependent on copper relate directly to the control of iron.

The first enzyme involved with copper converts iron into a less accumulative and less toxic form. Copper also allows you to transport iron through the body. Copper is involved in a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidation caused by iron!

Glyphosate, antibiotics, high fructose corn syrup, and wheat products can cause copper deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia may really be iron dysfunctional anemia, which is often related to a copper deficiency. Oysters, shellfish, and organ meats are the best food sources of copper.