How To Treat Iron Deficiency ( Low Iron ) Naturally | Increase Hemoglobin Naturally

Dr. Vivek Joshi

13 Aug 202404:39

Summary

TLDRThis video highlights the often-overlooked connection between digestion and iron deficiency. Despite a diet rich in iron, many people still suffer from iron deficiency due to poor gut health, particularly low stomach acid. The speaker explains that a balanced stomach pH is crucial for absorbing iron and other nutrients. Symptoms like bloating, gas, and acid reflux can indicate low stomach acid. Remedies such as apple cider vinegar, lemon, or lime juice, and Moringa are suggested to improve digestion and enhance iron absorption. Improving gut health is key to addressing iron deficiency.

Takeaways

🩸 Iron deficiency can occur even in populations that consume meat due to issues with digestion.
🍽️ Diet plays a role in iron absorption, but poor digestion is often the root cause of iron deficiency.
🥩 Meat consumption alone doesn't guarantee iron absorption if the body cannot properly digest it.
🧪 Low stomach pH, not excess acid, often leads to issues like reflux, bloating, and gas.
🍋 Consuming lemon, lime, or apple cider vinegar can improve stomach acidity and aid digestion.
🥗 Spinach and other green leafy vegetables contain oxalates, which can block the absorption of iron, zinc, and magnesium.
🍋 Adding lemon or lime to spinach or smoothies helps neutralize oxalates and improve nutrient absorption.
🩺 Small intestine issues, such as IBS or IBD, can hinder iron absorption, as iron is absorbed in the small intestine.
🌿 Moringa is a natural source of iron and can improve digestion and gut health.
🥄 Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice mixed with water can be an effective remedy for digestion issues and iron absorption.

Q & A

Why can people who eat iron-rich foods still suffer from iron deficiency?
-People can suffer from iron deficiency even if they eat iron-rich foods because their bodies might not properly digest and absorb the iron from the food. Issues in the gut, such as improper stomach pH, can hinder this process.
What is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia according to the video?
-The main cause of iron deficiency anemia is poor digestion, particularly the inability of the body to absorb iron from food due to an imbalanced pH in the stomach.
How does low stomach acid contribute to iron deficiency?
-Low stomach acid makes it difficult for the body to break down and absorb nutrients, including iron. This leads to iron deficiency even if iron-rich foods are consumed.
What are some symptoms of low stomach acid?
-Symptoms of low stomach acid include acid reflux, gas, and bloating. These symptoms can indicate that the body is not digesting food properly.
Why is using anti-acid medication not always a good solution for acid reflux?
-Anti-acid medication may not be a good solution because acid reflux can be caused by low stomach acid, not excess acid. Reducing stomach acid further could worsen digestion and nutrient absorption.
How can apple cider vinegar help with digestion issues related to low stomach acid?
-Apple cider vinegar can help increase the stomach's acidity, improving digestion and helping to relieve symptoms like gas and bloating by aiding the breakdown of food.
Why should lemon or lime be added when consuming spinach or green leafy vegetables?
-Lemon or lime should be added when consuming spinach or green leafy vegetables because they help neutralize oxalates, which can block the absorption of iron, zinc, and magnesium and contribute to kidney stone formation.
What role does the small intestine play in iron absorption?
-Iron absorption occurs in the small intestine, so any health issues related to the small intestine, such as IBS or IBD, can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron from food.
What are some natural remedies mentioned for improving iron levels and digestion?
-The video suggests using lemon or lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and Moringa to improve digestion and increase iron levels. Moringa is particularly noted for being a natural source of iron and improving gut health.
How can Moringa help with iron deficiency and gut health?
-Moringa is a natural source of iron and can help improve digestion and overall gut health. It has been shown to help increase iron levels in the body when consumed regularly.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Iron Deficiency and the Role of Digestion

Iron deficiency is often misunderstood as solely caused by a lack of iron-rich foods. However, many people consuming iron-heavy diets still suffer from deficiency due to poor digestion. The root cause is the stomach's pH levels, which should be acidic for optimal iron absorption. Without this acidity, the body struggles to extract iron from food, even from meat products.

🚨 Symptoms of Low Stomach pH

Symptoms of low stomach pH, such as acid reflux, are not caused by too much acid but rather by too little. When the stomach pH is low, the valve between the stomach and esophagus doesn't close properly, leading to acid reflux. Other symptoms include gas and bloating, particularly in the evening, which can be alleviated with remedies like apple cider vinegar.

🌿 Apple Cider Vinegar for Digestion

Apple cider vinegar can be a quick fix for bloating and gas. By adding 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to warm water, you help restore the stomach's acidic environment, improving digestion and the breakdown of food. This acidity helps the body absorb vital nutrients, especially from protein-rich foods and vegetables.

🥗 Managing Oxalates in Spinach and Leafy Greens

Oxalates, found in foods like spinach, can block the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. To counteract this, adding lemon or lime to spinach dishes helps remove oxalates and prevent issues like kidney stones. This simple addition can improve nutrient absorption and overall health.

🦠 Small Intestine Health and Iron Absorption

Conditions like IBS and IBD can interfere with iron absorption since it primarily happens in the small intestine. Poor intestinal health can further contribute to iron deficiency, making gut health a crucial factor in maintaining proper iron levels.

🍋 Lemon, Lime, and Apple Cider Vinegar for Better Digestion

To improve digestion and iron absorption, it's beneficial to incorporate lemon, lime, or apple cider vinegar into your diet. A tablespoon of lemon or lime juice mixed with water can help alleviate digestive issues like gas and bloating, making it easier for the body to absorb essential nutrients.

🌿 Moringa: A Superfood for Iron and Digestion

Moringa is a natural source of iron and can improve both digestion and gut health. It's widely available and known for its numerous health benefits. Many patients have successfully increased their iron levels by incorporating Moringa into their diets.

📺 Conclusion and Further Resources

To maintain healthy iron levels, focus on improving digestion. Incorporating lemon, lime, or apple cider vinegar can support digestion and nutrient absorption. Moringa is also a great natural supplement for iron. For more details on using Moringa, additional videos and resources are available in the description.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron, which is crucial for producing hemoglobin in red blood cells. The video emphasizes that iron deficiency is not just about consuming iron-rich foods but also involves the body's ability to digest and absorb iron properly. The speaker discusses that many people consuming meat still suffer from iron deficiency due to poor digestion.

💡Digestion

Digestion is the process of breaking down food so that the body can absorb nutrients like iron. The video stresses that poor digestion is the 'elephant in the room' when it comes to iron deficiency. Even people who eat iron-rich foods may suffer from iron deficiency if their digestive system, particularly stomach acid (pH), is not functioning properly.

💡Stomach pH

Stomach pH refers to the acidity level in the stomach, which is important for digesting food and absorbing nutrients like iron. The video claims that low stomach acidity, rather than too much acid, can lead to issues like iron deficiency and reflux. The speaker recommends maintaining a healthy acidic environment in the stomach to aid digestion.

💡Reflux

Reflux is a condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort. The video explains that reflux often happens not because of too much acid but because of low stomach acidity, which prevents the proper closing of the stomach valve. The speaker links reflux to poor stomach pH levels.

💡Gas and Bloating

Gas and bloating are common digestive symptoms that indicate poor stomach function and low acidity, according to the video. These symptoms are often experienced in the evening and can prevent proper digestion and nutrient absorption, including iron. The speaker suggests using apple cider vinegar to relieve these symptoms.

💡Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is highlighted as a remedy to improve digestion by increasing stomach acidity. In the video, the speaker recommends drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water to quickly alleviate gas, bloating, and other symptoms of low stomach pH, helping the body absorb nutrients better.

💡Oxalates

Oxalates are naturally occurring compounds found in foods like spinach that can block the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. The video advises consuming spinach with lemon or lime juice to neutralize oxalates and prevent the formation of oxalate stones, which can further hinder nutrient absorption.

💡Small Intestine

The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption, including iron, takes place. The video links iron deficiency to poor gut health, specifically mentioning conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) that affect the small intestine and can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

💡Moringa

Moringa is described as a 'superfood' and natural source of iron that can help boost iron levels and improve digestion. The speaker recommends Moringa for its ability to enhance gut health and increase nutrient absorption, especially in people suffering from iron deficiency.

💡Lemon and Lime Juice

Lemon and lime juice are suggested as ways to improve digestion and neutralize oxalates in leafy vegetables like spinach. By adding these acidic juices, the speaker claims you can prevent nutrient absorption issues and help the body get more iron and other minerals from food.

Highlights

Iron deficiency is not solely due to lack of iron-rich foods, as even populations consuming meat can suffer from iron deficiency.

The main cause of iron deficiency anemia is poor digestion, where the body struggles to absorb iron from food.

A key factor in poor digestion is the pH balance of the stomach; it needs to be acidic for proper digestion.

Symptoms of low stomach acid include gas, bloating, and acid reflux, which often occur due to less acid rather than too much.

Using antacids may not be effective in these cases because they address the wrong cause of acid reflux.

A natural remedy for low stomach acid is using apple cider vinegar, which can improve digestion by increasing stomach acidity.

Spinach and other leafy greens contain oxalates, which can block the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.

To reduce the impact of oxalates, it's beneficial to consume spinach with lemon or lime juice to help the body eliminate oxalates.

Oxalates can also lead to the formation of kidney stones if not properly managed.

Good gut health, particularly in the small intestine, is essential for proper iron absorption.

Conditions like IBS or IBD can interfere with iron absorption, leading to anemia.

Lemon or lime juice in water can aid digestion and support better iron levels by improving stomach acidity.

Moringa is a natural superfood that is rich in iron and can also help improve digestion and gut health.

Many people have successfully increased their iron levels by incorporating Moringa into their diets.

Moringa has numerous health benefits beyond iron, including improving overall gut health and nutrient absorption.