Don't Take Iron Supplements if You Are Getting Sick - Dr. Berg on Iron Toxicity
Dr. Eric Berg DCPublished on September 20, 2018
Summary authored by editor@wellifi.com
TLDR Summary
While iron is essential for health, supplementing with it during sickness can thwart the body's natural defense mechanisms against pathogens. The body stores iron away from bacteria and viruses as a protective measure, making additional iron intake potentially harmful.
Key Points
- Iron is crucial for both beneficial and harmful bacteria, with pathogens needing it to grow and thrive.
- During illness, the body stores iron in ferritin, making it unavailable to pathogens as a defense strategy.
- Supplementing with iron when sick might counteract the body's efforts to fight off infections.
- Avoiding iron supplements and foods fortified with iron is advisable when you're feeling unwell.
The Iron Paradox: Why Taking Iron Supplements Can Be Counterproductive When You're Sick
Iron plays a pivotal role in our body, supporting various functions from cellular metabolism to oxygen transportation. However, its role in the immune response, particularly when we're ill, is less widely recognized. This blog post delves into the complexities of iron supplementation during sickness and why it might not be the best idea.
Iron's Double-Edged Sword
Iron is essential for both good and bad bacteria. Pathogens rely on iron to thrive and grow, making it a critical factor for their survival. Interestingly, some microbes can substitute manganese for iron, such as the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. However, most pathogens require iron to flourish.
Body's Defense Mechanism
When we fall ill and inflammation rises, our bodies initiate a protective response by storing iron in ferritin, a protein that sequesters iron away from pathogens. This process effectively makes iron unavailable to harmful bacteria and microbes, serving as a defense mechanism. As a result, plasma or blood iron levels may decrease, leading some individuals to experience anemia during periods of illness.
Why You Should Think Twice About Iron Supplements When Sick
Given the body's natural response to hide iron from pathogens, supplementing with iron when you're sick can inadvertently aid the very bacteria or viruses your body is trying to defeat. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid iron supplements and be cautious of foods fortified with iron, particularly grains and enriched flour products, which might exacerbate the situation.
Conclusion
While iron is a vital nutrient for health, its supplementation during sickness could be counterproductive due to the body's innate mechanisms to combat pathogens. Being mindful of your iron intake, especially when feeling under the weather, can support your body's natural defense system more effectively.