Are you really getting enough

[Chicklady]

Re: Are you really getting enough

two things there has been some question as to if the iron used in supplements is either safe or even absorbable....prbably why the rec. to take multis without iron began, because I've been reading that LONG before Atkins. seconly, I used to eat more meat before Atkins!! While I used to down a pound steak, plus potato and vegg, I now eat about 6 ounces! Learning to stop when I was full was a major accomplishment *pats self on back* that I don't plan to back track on for iron.
I'm thinking maybe mineral water, but thats soooooo expensive.

[Chicklady]

Re: Are you really getting enough

Hmmm... this thread made me go check. I clock in at an average 150% of RDA over time. I also eat flax crackers every day (approx 2 Ts)

My fitday says 2 T of flaxseed is about 8% of the rda. I think I need something with a bigger "kick"

[sheddingflab]

Re: Are you really getting enough

well i didn't mean to sound like a know it all or anything...but i've been through iron deficiency anemia and built my iron back up again a couple of times. I was an unhealthy "vegetarian" for more than a decade and I was anemic most of the time before this WOE. I should have been more specific...i take a multi that happens to have iron in it, and i also take a separate iron supplement as recommended by my doc. I've tried some iron supplements that really upset my stomach, especially ferrous sulfate, so I asked my pharmacist to recommend something that would be well absorbed and more gentle on my stomach. He recommended a pill by a brand called "rexall" called Gentle Iron. It can be found at any pharmacy and even walmart. It contains 28mg of iron in the form of ferrous bis-glyconate which is 156% of rda. Like you said it might not be completely absorbed so I like how it has over 100%. It also contains 100% vitamin c, 100% folic acid, and 133% b-12. I really like this supplement...it hasn't upset my stomach at ALL and my levels are better than ever. I also take a separate b complex on top of all of that when I remember to take it. Of course I don't rely on supplements, I try to eat as healthy as possible, especially since not everything in the supplements is absorbed, but it helps and it can't hurt to supplement. I go through periods of time where I forget to take my supplements and let me tell you, I feel so much better when I remember to take them. It does take a while for your iron stores to build up if you're low, it can take a couple months of daily supplements and iron rich foods before you feel a difference.

I do remember when I was anemic I was pale, and I always had dark circles under my eyes, and got lightheaded a lot, and exausted. I didn't eat right though in those days...hardly ate any veggies...and after I had my second son, I was seriously anemic to the point of extreme exaustion...that's when I learned to eat more greens AND supplement. Seems like you're eating well...you should be fine...I just meant there are some of us atkineers who don't eat red meat and its a good idea for some of us to take iron supplements. If someone like me who doesn't eat red meats reads something that says "take a multi without iron" they really might not be getting enough iron depending on what they are eating unless they know to take a separate iron supp. since you're not getting iron from "enriched" crap-food such as cereals with added iron, etc...but your right the iron in a multi might not be as effective as other things in the multi could interfere with absorbtion.

[Chicklady]

Re: Are you really getting enough

I wonder how much Iron switching to a cast iron skillet would give me. I will do supplements as a LASt resort if needed, but I get this feeling that the powers that be didn't design or evolve us to pop little capsules If, however, my options become anemia or pill popping, I'll pill-pop!

[sheddingflab]

Re: Are you really getting enough

Cast iron skillet that's a good idea! I can't seem to find any info online about how much iron can get into your food from it though