Are you tired, achy, with joint pain? Concerned about increasing symptoms. Maybe cancer has hit too close to home, too? Once you realize what’s been done to our food system, it’s gonna mess with your head. But we do have ‘work-a-rounds.’ So keep that in mind.
1. In 1941, they started adding iron to our food. Iron ‘filings,’ mind you. They call it iron fortification, or iron enrichment. That’s ab
By 1971, the FDA wanted to increase the amount of fortified iron threefold. Thankfully, 37 scientists from around the world showed up in Washington, D.C. to protest the FDA. Basically, the scientists were saying, “Seriously? You trying to kill people or what?” So the FDA backed down. Sorta. They decided to only increase iron by 50% (and you thought it was the gluten making you sick).
2. By the 1980’s, they added High Fructose Corn Syrup to our foods. It’s in your soft drinks, ketchup, snack bars, etc. HFCS wrecks the liver’s key enzyme, ceruloplasmin, critical for proper copper and iron regulation in the body. This is major since copper and iron dysregulation is at the core of all dis-ease.
3. By the 1990’s they added GMO products to our food supply. Again, lowering our copper. Does it sound yet like the deck’s stacked against us? All these food supply changes lead to metabolic chaos in our bodies over time. If we partake, that is.
Who do you think became ‘enriched’ by these subtle changes to our food system over the years? {cough}. Common sense points to pharmaceutical companies profit. Even if it’s simply co-incidental, all these things manage to lower our copper status in the liver while increasing unbound iron as we age.
As I studied mineral metabolism, I started to see that we don’t have a snowball chance in hell of regulating iron in the body without adequate bio-available copper.
What we have is a tweaked food system with depleted crops and soils.
* The problem is, iron doesn’t regulate itself.
* Iron can’t even leave the body on its own.
* Iron needs an escort out of the body by blood donation (or chelation).
Women with monthly cycles are naturally offloading some extra iron – our saving grace unless we get hysterectomies. We still need to maintain healthy ceruloplasmin and copper levels. Does your practitioner know the correct tests to check?
Otherwise, all this iron, not to mention iron supplements we’re often convinced to take just accumulates in the tissues the older we get, causing serious oxidative stress. Iron overload damages organs, ages us, and starts the cycle of illness. Dis-ease doesn’t just strike out of the blue.
So. Too much iron and too little copper is huge. It greatly impacts the way our liver functions, our ability to generate energy, plus enzyme and detox functions.
And while Louis Pasteur made us all freak out over germs, bacteria, fungus, viruses, and parasites – they certainly didn’t tell me in nursing school that all pathogens feed on toxic unbound iron. The medical business model is based on Pasteur’s germ theory, though. Lo and behold, we do have the pharmaceutical companies ready at the rescue with antibiotics, further binding up precious bio-available copper. If this is the first time hearing this, please don’t run out and buy a copper supplement. The issue is learning how to make your copper more bio-available.
Our food system’s been altered enough to wreck our health over time. In future posts, I’ll address what to do about the food supply issues. Hint: Stay away from iron-fortified foods, iron supplements, HFCS, and GMOs.
I realize many health professionals are in the dark about the dangers of iron overload, or think only patients with hemochromatosis are at risk, but the research is clear. Many of us are walking around with sub-clinical hemochromatosis, i.e., toxic unbound iron.
“Iron overload may affect any organ in the body and may include symptoms such as fatigue, depression, arthritis, irregular heart beat, high blood sugar and/or diabetes, shortness of breath, swelling of the abdomen and legs, jaundice, loss of sexual drive, premature menopause, loss of body hair, shriveling of the testicles, hypothyroidism, and redness of the palms of the hands. A suntan that does not fade in winter may or may not be present. The excess iron oxidizes in your body and can literally rust your organs leading to diseases such as cancer, thrombosis, cirrhosis, arthritis and so forth. “
~ Gabriela Segura, MD
I’m addressing this iron issue myself especially since I was 18 years post-hysterectomy before realizing how iron-toxic I’ve been. A full iron panel is very revealing when we know what to look for. Trouble is, I’ve never known a doctor to include ceruloplasmin, copper, zinc, or RBC magnesium along with an iron iron panel. Certainly something I recommend to my clients now.
This subject is near and dear to my heart and at the core of what I do. Please feel free to drop a comment or email me if you have a question or want to work with me. I’ll continue to update.
As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, do better.“
Blessings in health,
Vicki
YOU are AMAZING!! What a fantastic writer and coach you are!!! This is just TERRIFIC!!!! You have the ability to explain everything sooo clearly!!! Keep up the great work and don’t ever stop!!! Your expertise and eloquence is sorely needed to help spread the word and continue to help those willing and able to listen!! I know you will go on to help soooo many!!! Love, your friend Valerie XXX
Hey Valerie! Appreciate your encouragement and kind words! Seems my last comment did not make it through. Hope you are doing well, my friend. xx