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What to eat
Fruits and vegetables
Hemochromatosis causes oxidative stress and free radicals production, which may damage your cells and DNA. Fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants, such as selenium and vitamin E. These antioxidants protect your cells from damage.
You may have concerns about the iron content in fruits and vegetables. But, fruits and vegetables, such as mushroom, kale, spinach, and olives, contain non-heme iron, which is hard-to-absorb. Also, fruits and vegetables contain oxalate and polyphenols that inhibit iron (heme and non-heme) absorption. Thus, their benefits outweigh the risks.
Whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds
These food are rich in phytates or phytic acid, which reduces the absorption of heme iron. They are also rich in fibers that reduce the absorption of non-heme iron.
Lean protein
Animal protein is an essential component of any healthy balanced diet, and you can’t avoid it entirely. Most protein sources, such as red meat, contain high iron amounts. Thus, you can choose animal protein sources with low iron, such as chicken, turkey, tuna, and salmon.
Eggs are rich in non-heme iron, but you can eat it in the hemochromatosis diet. Eggs contain phosvitin protein that has an iron-chelating effect. It binds to iron and helps your body to excrete it.
Tea and coffee
Both are a great addition to the hemochromatosis diet because they contain tannins (or tannic acid) that inhibits iron absorption by its chelating effect.
Foods rich in calcium
Calcium inhibits iron absorption, either heme or non-heme iron. You can get calcium from milk, cheese, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables like broccoli.
