What is the relationship between iron and aluminium in our food?

Iron is an essential element. We need enough iron to produce red blood corpuscles. Red blood corpuscles are important to transport oxygen to all our cells to produce energy. Aluminium is not an essential element. For decades we thought that aluminum will not be absorbed in our intestine and will not reach our blood. It is because we had no standard analytical methods to estimate low amount of aluminium in the blood. Standard methods are now available to estimate aluminium in blood with advanced instruments like AAS or ICP-MS.

If there is no relation between iron and aluminium where does the problem lie? There is a very big problem because both have the same transport mechanism from our intestine to blood. Vitamin C is needed for iron absorption and it is also needed for the absorption of aluminium. To put it in simple words, if the amount of aluminium in our food is high then vitamin C and the transport proteins support the absorption of aluminium than iron. The result can be iron deficiency.

We know the problem of iron deficiency very well. So it is better to avoid food rich in aluminium. The contamination of aluminum is another big problem. If we could avoid both we can achieve very good iron absorption to be healthy.

I take daily one iron tablet; still feeling not well. Is iron tablet good to improve my hemoglobin status?

Theoretically you are right, but practically there are problems. All the metals are poisons in high amounts. The essential element iron is also a poison if we have it excess in our body. Iron can improve the level of hemoglobin if taken properly through right foods.

If you take iron supplement all the iron absorbed cannot be converted into hemoglobin. The excess iron can deposit in the muscles of heart, kidney, liver and other organs. Our body has enough water and 37°C and this is optimum to rust the deposited iron in the muscles. This process produces too many dangerous hydroxyl free radicals through Fenton’s reaction. As we all know free radicals are way very important for your health, but on the other hand very dangerous for our health in excess.

Iron tablets could be taken for 14 days without any problems. If you want to take longer consult with your doctor and you must be under his strict supervision.

A good dietician can tell you how easy it is to increase the iron value, thus the hemoglobin, with right food. This is the best way for our health. Tablets are there to help quickly for a short time in emergency cases.

Keep in mind the role of vitamin C and aluminium in iron absorption.

Iron tablets are poisonous for children and could be fatal. Lock them in a safe and secure place.

Ich verzichte meistens auf das Frühstück: Ist das Frühstück so wichtig?

Ja, das Frühstück sehr wichtig. Bei meinem letzten Besuch in Indien traf ich meinen Neffen in meiner Heimatstadt, er sah sehr krank aus. Sein Blutdruck war so hoch, dass ihm sein Arzt Medikamente gab. Er aß sehr wenig. Alle waren sehr über seine Gesundheit besorgt.

Ich bat meine Schwester, etwas zum Essen zu organisieren. Er sollte das Essen zu sich nehmen. Davor habe ich seinen Blutdruck gemessen, dieser war hoch. Er aß das Essen. Ich maß seinen Blutdruck nach 5, 10 und 15 Minuten und es gab keine große Veränderung. Als ich seinen Blutdruck nach 20 Minuten gemessen habe, haben wir einen plötzlichen Abfall des Blutdrucks beobachtet. Dieses Mal war er normal.

Ich sagte ihm nach Hause zu gehen und dasselbe Verfahren am nächsten Morgen durchzuführen. Er maß seinen Blutdruck, wieder war dieser hoch. Er nahm sein Frühstück ein und es wurde erneut gemessen. Sein Blutdruck war normal. Seit diesem Tag nimmt er regelmäßig seine Mahlzeiten ein und ist sehr glücklich. Er brauchte auch keine Medikamenten mehr.
Der zeitliche Abstand zwischen Abendessen und dem Frühstück sollte nicht zu lange sein. Dies ist auch einer der Gründe, warum viele Herzinfarkte in den frühen Morgenstunden passieren.

Gönnen Sie sich jeden Morgen ein gutes Frühstück und starten Sie erfolgreich in den Tag.

Blood fat or Triglycerides; can you explain me this?

Triglycerides are a type of blood fat which is usually called blood fat. In this way it is also differentiated from the cholesterol mostly. Along with heredity, LDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and obesity it is also a risk factor for the cardiovascular diseases. It is also considered an independent risk factor for stroke.

I know you are a rice eater and this excess rice eating is a risk factor which increases the triglycerides levels in the blood. Any excessive intake of carbohydrates can increase this. It can be chocolates, other sweets, cakes, bread, noodle or chips. Insulin sends the sugar to all our cells to produce energy. If too much of sugar is still in the blood they are sent to the liver where it is converted into triglycerides. Excess fructose, the fruit sugar is also converted in the liver to triglycerides. Even if the level of cholesterol is normal triglycerides increase the stroke risk to 30%.

High level triglycerides in the blood increases to types of fat particles, one is LDL-cholesterol and the other is chylomicrons. These may cause fatty deposits on the walls of the blood vessels.

Whenever you control your cholesterol, triglycerides must also be controlled. The American Heart Association recommends the following triglycerides levels:
• Normal range …………………less than 150 mg/dl
• Borderline-high……………150 to 199 mg/dl
• High………………………………....200 to 499 mg/dl
• Very high………………………….500 mg/dl and above

It is easy to reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood. Eat less carbohydrate and more fruits and vegetables. Fat intake must also be controlled. A good lifestyle and exercises are very important.

I take calcium supplement after my meals; is it right?

At first you must consult with your doctor whether you need calcium supplement. It is important for two groups:

1. Persons who do not get enough calcium from their food.

2. Women in menopause.

The role of calcium in bone health is indisputable. The amount of calcium absorbed is dependent on estrogen level, vitamin D level and the type of calcium supplement. The acidic condition in the intestine plays a role in calcium absorption.

The available different types of calcium supplements include:

• Calcium Citrate
• Calcium Gluconate
• Calcium Lactate
• Calcium Carbonate
• Bone meal
• Oyster Shell
• Coral Calcium

Calcium Citrate, Calcium Gluconate and Calcium Lactate are very good, but the elemental calcium is low and enough tablets must be taken. These tablets can be taken at any time of the day. Calcium Carbonate supplement must be taken after the meal. This brings a problem that excess calcium may disturb the absorption of iron which very important to form the hemoglobin.

The natural supplements like bone meal, oyster shell and coral calcium can contain poisonous heavy metals and so these must be avoided.

How to take the calcium supplement? Calcium Citrate, Calcium Gluconate and Calcium Lactate can be taken in-between two meals so that they do not disturb iron absorption. During perimenopause and post menopause it is better to take with vitamin D to support the absorption. Others must not need vitamin D with calcium. But if you live in a place where the sun is rare then it is better to take with vitamin D.

Another important point you must keep in your mind is that calcium supplement and magnesium supplement should not be taken together. Do not buy supplements where calcium and magnesium are present.