On Fri, 24 Jun 2005 09:57:55 -0500, OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote in
<news:Omelet-5640DB.09575424062005@corp.supernews.com> on
sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy :

BTW, I've been told by my doctor that vitamin C helps iron retention.

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy

On Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:49:11 -0400, Pizza Girl. wrote in
<news:1119667473.402b41edbb3161cae4ef67c10371df57@teranews> on
sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy :

[...]

That's interesting.

I know that animal products are a good source of vitamin B-12.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp#h2

About L-isoleucine:
"Some dietary sources include nuts, such as almonds and cashews, as well as
chicken, liver, fish and soy.
http://www.aminoacidpower.com/osc/product_info.php?cPath=3_22&products_id=278

Besides,

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron.asp#h3
What affects iron absorption?
Iron absorption refers to the amount of dietary iron that the body obtains
and uses from food. Healthy adults absorb about 10% to 15% of dietary iron,
but individual absorption is influenced by several factors [1,3,8,11-15].

Storage levels of iron have the greatest influence on iron absorption. Iron
absorption increases when body stores are low. When iron stores are high,
absorption decreases to help protect against toxic effects of iron overload
[1,3]. Iron absorption is also influenced by the type of dietary iron
consumed. Absorption of heme iron from meat proteins is efficient.
Absorption of heme iron ranges from 15% to 35%, and is not significantly
affected by diet [15]. In contrast, 2% to 20% of nonheme iron in plant
foods such as rice, maize, black beans, soybeans and wheat is absorbed
[16]. Nonheme iron absorption is significantly influenced by various food
components [1,3,11-15].

Meat proteins and vitamin C will improve the absorption of nonheme iron
[1,17-18]. Tannins (found in tea), calcium, polyphenols, and phytates
(found in legumes and whole grains) can decrease absorption of nonheme iron
[1,19-24]. Some proteins found in soybeans also inhibit nonheme iron
absorption [1,25]. It is most important to include foods that enhance
nonheme iron absorption when daily iron intake is less than recommended,
when iron losses are high (which may occur with heavy menstrual losses),
when iron requirements are high (as in pregnancy), and when only vegetarian
nonheme sources of iron are consumed.

====================================

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy

COMMENT:

You're not going to die or even get sick from a hemoglobin in the 12's
and a ferritin of 20. If I was in your condition I'd sure as hell be
eating fried liver before I'd let anybody shoot me up with iron
infusions. How much money does your hematologist make for that? Does he
do it in his little private chemo clinic and bill $300 for it? Howard,
now don't you start calling me cynical.

And if you're lactose intolerant, why don't you try lactose free milk?
Or take your calcium at lunch? Or stop it completely for a few weeks,
if you're wondering about it's effect on iron.

Name:

COMMENT:

What??  Nobody would (or should) assume *anything* about body calcium
status from calcium levels in the blood. The doctor won't, and you
shouldn't either. It's irrelevent.

CORRECT. And if you don't absorb it will from iron elixers (which will
be iron salts) you still may get great absorption from liver, red meat,
and blood pudding.  It's a separate iron absorption system.

SBH