Whether you are reading up on low iron for the first time, or just need a quick refresher on the basics, click here for great topline answers to your leading iron questions #backtobasics #iron Want more info on signs and symptoms? Click here: http://theironmaiden.ca/signs-symptoms/

The holiday season is upon us and this often means many parties, potlucks, and social gatherings. So, if you’re going to bring a yummy treat to share, why not give the gift of iron? Here are a few ideas for you: BLACK BEAN CAKE (1 cup black beans = 9.7 mg of iron) Substituting black … Continue reading 5 Iron-Rich Snacks & Treats for Holiday Parties

The Three Stages of Iron Deficiency

Sunday, June 14th is World Blood Donor Day as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). I’ve written in the past about my need for blood donation and the importance of post-donation iron supplementation for those who donate blood regularly. For those who donate blood, I am forever grateful for your help when I was … Continue reading World Blood Donor Day

Children are our future, and we want to give them the best possible shot to be all they can be. However, you’d be surprised to find out that a good number of our young people are actually iron deficient! Based on small recent studies, it’s estimated that almost 12-64% of them are iron deficient! Is … Continue reading Let’s Talk Kids…

Here are five fast facts about iron deficiency that you may not have known: Approximately 5% of Canadian children aged 1 to 5 suffer from iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Is your child at risk? Hemoglobin levels of 12 – 17 g/dl for females and 13 – 18 g/dl for males is considered normal. … Continue reading Five Fast Facts about Iron Deficiency

Throughout the month of May we are honouring women – mothers in particular. Moms do A LOT for their families, and it’s important that they take time for themselves once in a while and ensure that their health is in check too! Iron deficiency can affect one’s entire family, but women and children are among … Continue reading Iron Articles Just for Mom

My goal is and always has been to empower my patients to be health care consumers rather than be consumed by health care. It is so important to be well informed and contribute to the process that determines the direction one’s care takes. This is why I am so happy to use this platform to … Continue reading The Iron Maiden: The 10 Most Popular Posts

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while then chances are that you’ve seen a mention or two about iron absorption inhibitors, including calcium. This is a bit of a controversial topic since some say that calcium greatly impacts iron absorption and others say it doesn’t. It can get a little confusing when you’re … Continue reading The Calcium Controversy: Does it Inhibit Iron Absorption or Not?

When it comes to iron deficiency – everything from diagnosis to treatment – there are a few things that you should definitely do. So, without further ado, let’s get to the 5 Dos that can help you take control of this all-too-common (yet preventable) health issue.

Iron deficiency, which can cause a slew of health problems, is easily treated yet remains the most common nutritional deficiency in the world! Iron deficiency can affect people differently, with symptoms including anemia, weakness, headaches, irritability, shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, lack of cognitive function, etc. A paper published in the Journal of Hematology … Continue reading Iron Deficiency Should Be Looked For During Regular Screening

Your iron consumption may not be something you consciously think about every day like Vitamin C or calcium, but iron is an essential nutrient to your daily diet and to your overall health. So, are you getting enough?

My name is Kelly and I am iron deficient. My iron levels were never great after the birth of my first child. The blood loss was massive, the doctors pondered my need for a blood transfusion and prescribed me ferrous sulfate to help out. It brought my levels up enough, but I had low iron … Continue reading Kelly: From the Challenges of Iron Deficiency to an IronMan Challenger

We’ve talked about the impact that chronic iron deficiency can have on your heart and now, continuing on with our series of Iron and Your Heart (in honour of Heart Month), I want to talk about the effect that too much iron – also known as hemochromatosis – can have on your heart.

We’ve been talking about heart-related issues in honour of Heart Month, and this particular article may be among the most important of all because it will give you a look into the impact of iron deficiency anemia on your heart. I want to ask you a question: How quickly would you get yourself to a … Continue reading Iron & Your Heart Part 1: Chronic Iron Deficiency

If you didn’t already know, February is Heart Month as marked by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Right now in Canada, heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor. Started in 1958, Heart Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of the risks … Continue reading Interesting Heart Facts In Light Of Heart Month

Whole grains have been given a bad rap in recent years because of the whole gluten-free craze. Don’t get me wrong, I am fully aware of some people’s needs to eat gluten-free and I’m happy to see this craze leading to a bunch of new options for people. The reason I refer to it as … Continue reading In the News – Whole Grains

It’s scary isn’t it: going to the bathroom, glancing down before you flush, and seeing that your poop is as dark as a thousand midnights? You’re not alone in your horror. I can’t even begin to count how many times I get asked whether dark stool is a common side effect of taking iron supplements.

People often ask me how much iron they actually absorb from the food they eat. Well, the truth is that there is no clear cut answer because every body is different. I can, however, provide some helpful information and benchmarks based on the Dietary References Intakes.

We talk a lot about heme iron and non-heme iron and I know that it can get a little confusing at times. With all the iron supplements and iron-rich foods out there, it can be hard to keep track of what’s what and why some are better than others. So, let’s break it down and … Continue reading Iron 101: Heme Iron vs Non-Heme Iron