Understanding the Connection Between Gold and Low Iron Levels

The Importance of Iron for Overall Health

Iron is a critical mineral that plays many important roles in the human body. It helps transport oxygen, supports healthy cells, and assists with energy production. When levels are low, it can cause unwanted symptoms like fatigue, trouble concentrating, and more.

Common Causes of Low Iron

There are a few key reasons why someone may develop low iron levels or iron deficiency anemia:

• Inadequate dietary intake from foods
• Blood loss from heavy menstruation or internal bleeding
• Pregnancy demands
• Rapid growth periods
• Genetic conditions affecting absorption

Linking Gold and Low Iron

So where does gold come into play? There are a few key connections between the precious metal and iron levels in the body.

First, those suffering from iron deficiency may notice a craving to chew ice or non-food items like dirt, paper, or gold. This phenomenon is known as “pica” and experts theorize it may represent the body's attempt to obtain missing nutrients like iron.

Additionally, some traditional health practitioners utilized flakes of gold as an alternative remedy for treating blood-related disorders tied to low iron like anemia. However, there is no concrete scientific data that ingesting gold can effectively raise iron levels.

The Vital Roles of Iron

To understand why maintaining adequate iron status is so crucial, it helps comprehend the various roles this mighty mineral plays throughout the body:

Oxygen Transport

Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, a protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to other tissues. Without enough iron, oxygen transport is hindered.

Energy Metabolism

The mineral also assists with energy production processes, aiding vital components like cytochromes that spark reactions that make energy inside cells.

Healthy Cells and Connective Tissue

Iron supports the growth and repair of cells and tissues throughout the body. Plus it helps regulate cell growth and differentiation.

Neurotransmitters

This brain chemical messenger also requires iron to synthesize properly. Neurotransmitters regulate nerve signaling, mood, cognition, and more.

Immune Function

The mineral enables key cells of the immune system like lymphocytes and neutrophils to mount defenses against germs and illness.

Signs and Symptoms of Low Iron

Catching and correcting a low iron issue promptly is key to sidestepping unwanted symptoms or bigger concerns like full blown iron deficiency anemia, which impacts billions globally. Be on the lookout for these common warning signs:

Fatigue

Feeling overly tired or rundown is one of the most frequently reported symptoms tied to inadequate iron status as oxygen transport to tissues falters.

Shortness of Breath

Similarly, struggling for breath upon exertion also commonly crops up with a low iron situation as oxygen circulation and lung function weaken.

Rapid Heartbeat

In a bid to compensate for lower oxygen carrying capacity, the heart speeds up in an attempt to circulate more blood. This can cause palpitations.

Trouble Concentrating

Since iron assists proper neurotransmitter synthesis, focus, attention, and concentration abilities frequently falter with deficiency.

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

Getting up too quickly from seated or lying down can spark a sudden blood pressure drop and dizzy spell. These episodes tend to happen more frequently when iron counts drop.

Strange Food Cravings

The phenomenon of pica, ordeveloping intense cravings forodd, non-food items likesoil, paper, or in some cases, gold, may indicate an iron deficiency in some individuals.

Key Micronutrients that Work with Iron

There are also several other vitamins and minerals that heavily influence iron absorption, transport, and utilization in the body:

Vitamin C

This water soluble nutrient significantly boosts iron absorption. Good food sources include oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and kiwi.

Vitamin A

This fat soluble vitamin supports red blood cell production and development. Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and beef liver offer dietary vitamin A.

Folate

Folate or vitamin B9 forms vital red blood cells. It's found in greens, legumes, grains and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Lean meats also supply folate.

Vitamin B12

This crucial nutrient assists with red blood cell formation and regeneration. Animal products like fish, meat, eggs and dairy provide the best sources of cobalamin, or B12.

Copper

While copper does not increase iron absorption per se, it does help the body properly utilize iron stores via key enzymes. Oysters, organ meats, whole grains, nuts and potatoes offer dietary copper.

Top Iron-Rich Food Sources

While moderate iron deficiency can be corrected with iron tablets or capsules temporarily, it’s best to meet this mineral need long-term from wholesome dietary sources. Here are some top foods pumping up the iron:

Oysters

Just 3 ounces provides a whopping 8 mg of iron! That’s up to 50% of the recommended daily amount. Clams, mussels and other shellfish also boost iron intake.

Dark Meat Poultry

Chicken thighs, drumsticks and wings pack more than double the iron of white breast meat. From 2-4 mg per 3 ounce serving, go dark for more iron!

Grass-Fed Beef

All red meats deliver ample heme iron, or the most easily absorbed form. But grass-fed beef specifically contains higher mineral levels overall than conventionally raised beef.

Pumpkin Seeds

1 ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds churns out nearly 5 mg of plant-based iron. Plus they offer zinc, magnesium and omega fats. Sprinkle on salads or enjoy solo as a snack.

White Beans

Topping the non-heme iron charts, just 1 cooked cup of great northern, navy or cannellini beans provides a stellar 20-25% of daily iron needs. Toss beans in soups, stews and chilis.

Spinach, lentils, tomoto puree, potatoes with skin, cashews and fortified cereals also boost dietary iron intake when aiming to restore levels.

Additional Strategies for Combatting Low Iron

While shellfish, red meat, pumpkin seeds and white beans take center stage for replenishing iron stores, there are also several supplementary strategies for correcting deficiency:

Cast Iron Cookware

Cooking acidic foods like tomatoes or apple cider vinegar in cast iron pans or Dutch ovens dramatically increases the food's iron content, infusing up to 5 mg per serving.

Iron Supplements

Upon diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, doctors frequently recommend over-the-counter ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate tablets to help restore levels quicker short term in tandem with iron-rich meals.

Vitamin C for Absorption

Getting adequate vitamin C from fruits, vegetables and juice boosts iron absorption significantly. Combine iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources.

Food Combinations

Pair plant-based iron foods like spinach, beans and lentils with meat, fish or poultry, as the heme iron enhances absorption of the non-heme iron.

When to Seek Medical Care

While adjusting diet, lifestyle habits and taking iron supplements can help reverse mild low iron issues, more severe cases characterized by concerning symptoms warrant a complete medical workup. Seek prompt care for:

• Lab confirmed iron deficiency anemia
• Extreme fatigue impacting work/life
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Rapid pounding heart rate at rest
• Dizziness causing falls or injury
• Brittle, spoon-shaped nails
• Cold hands and feet
• Unexplained cravings to chew ice or non-food items

Do not attempt to self treat these red flag symptoms solely with iron supplements or gold flakes. A physician can run blood work to pinpoint severity, rule out bleeding causes if applicable, and recommend advanced iron delivery methods if required.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.