A Visual Story of Iron

Reading time: 4 mins

Open your blood reports, and go to your iron profile.

Compare your results to the table below.

If even one number is outside the normal range, this article is for you.

In the next 4 minutes, you’ll understand what all this means and how to bring everything back to normal.

The Basics

Your body needs just 1mg of iron daily.

That is 1mg of the active form of Iron (FE-2).

Let’s assume you don’t get enough Active Iron (FE-2).

Why will red blood cells increase? To compensate for lower hemoglobin per cell, the body will make MORE cells.

90% of people will try to fix this by taking a supplement.

The smarter, no-supplement solution: improve absorption.

Two steps to improving conversion

Germination or sprouting converts complex iron compounds into a form the body can access.

Moong sprouts, millet sprouts, rice sprouts … these are all very rich in ‘available iron.’

Improving stomach health is critical for iron absorption.

Is your stomach acid healthy?

If you have even 1 of the above 4, then there is an 80% chance your stomach acid is not healthy.

Another simple test: check your stool color and smell. 

Stool is very dark/black, and has a foul smell? Signs of low stomach acid.

Here’s a simple guide to improving stomach acid levels.

Why do you need antioxidants?

Active iron is very, very reactive.

If it binds to the wrong thing, your body will not be able to absorb it.

That’s why it’s best to eat iron-rich food alone, and usually with lemon juice (a strong anti-oxidant).

That’s all? It seems too simple!

It’s not.

❌ Drugs affects iron absorption. (Might have to limit unnecessary meds)

❌ Lifestyle affects iron absorption. (Might have to start exercising)

❌ Other nutrients affect iron absorption. (Might have to take supplements)

But for a large % of cases, just improving absorption can give a tremendous result.

Check out this video to see how Ruchi improved her iron levels just by improving her gut health. (Watch time: 9 minutes)

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Key Takeaways

1. Improve available iron from food by sprouting

2. Improve stomach acid health to improve iron absorption

3. Eat iron-rich food separately from other meals

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If you want to read more, here’s another detailed article for you. (Read Time: 5 minutes)