Dr. Sebi on Iron: What You Need to Know 

Iron is one of the vital minerals needed for your body to function correctly. Your body needs just the right amount of iron to operate optimally.

Most of your cells contain it, but it is found in high concentrations in the red blood cells.

Did you know that iron is loaded with benefits? Here is everything you need to know about it and more.

What is Iron?

Iron is one of the key minerals needed for the proper functioning of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an erythrocyte protein required to transport oxygen in the blood.

About two-thirds of all the body iron is found in the hemoglobin in circulating red blood cells. Another 25% is located in a readily available iron store. The remaining 15% is found bound in myoglobin in most muscle tissues.

Although iron has been known to be essential in hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transportation, it is also needed for other body functions, such as making some hormones.

Interestingly, iron in your body is conserved and often recycled. However, despite this, you still need to take iron in your diet to maintain a healthy composition.

Only a tiny fraction of iron is absorbed by your body. Depending on the food you eat and the type of iron present, the absorption rate is generally between 5% to 36%. Absorption of iron occurs in the jejunum and the duodenum.

The absorption of iron is a slightly complex process. The iron you consume exists in an oxidized ferric state (Fe3+). For it to be absorbed, it needs to be in a ferrous form (Fe2+). Alternatively, it can be bound to a protein such as heme.

Iron in the ferric (Fe3+) state is insoluble. Therefore it needs to be converted into an absorbable ferrous (Fe2+) state. Stomach enzymes such as gastric acid play a vital role in this conversion.

This mineral is stored in your body as ferritin. Iron is stored in the spleen, liver, bone marrow and muscle tissue.

 It is transported throughout your body by transferrin, a blood glycoprotein that binds to iron.

Is Iron A Compound Or An Element?

Iron is a chemical element and is classified as a transition metal. Physically, iron is solid at room temperature.

Nonetheless, the iron you consume are iron compounds, or sometimes, iron salts. Iron from food comes in two categories: heme and non-heme.

Heme form of iron is found in animal flesh, for instance, seafood, poultry and meat. On the other hand, non-heme iron is mostly plant-based and is found in plants such as nuts, whole grains, leafy greens and legumes.

You may also find trace quantities of non-heme iron in animals that consume plant foods.

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Is Iron Good For You?

Iron is excellent for you, whether you `are taking it in your food or supplement form. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for iron depends on your age, gender and lifestyle.

Additionally, people on restrictive diets such as Vegans and those on alkaline diets will vary their daily intake amounts. Typically, women need more iron than men.

Here are some benefits of iron in your body.

• Iron is Helpful for anemia treatment

Anemia is one of the most common nutrition deficiencies globally, especially in children. Iron is vital in preventing and treating Anemia.

• Iron Combats fatigue

Did you know that taking iron supplements helps reduce symptoms of fatigue? Low iron levels in the body make you feel exhausted.

Women in their reproductive years’ experience chronic fatigue, especially during their menstrual period. Boosting your iron intake will help reduce fatigue.

• Iron Promotes a healthy pregnancy

A lot of changes happen to your body during pregnancy. Your blood quantity and production of red blood cells increase to cater to the nutrition needs of the growing fetus.

This increases the demand for iron. At this point, your body also maximizes iron absorption. If you are pregnant, ensure that you up your iron intake since insufficient iron intake could lead to iron deficiency.

Low iron levels in pregnancy puts you at risk of low birth weight and impaired cognitive development in your infant. 

• Iron boosts immunity

Iron helps strengthen your immune system. It does this by boosting hemoglobin production, which provides oxygen to damaged cells, organs and tissues. Low iron levels puts you at risk of having a weak immune system.

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What Does Dr. Sebi Say About Iron?

Dr Sebi believes that iron is essential, and the lack of it causes 40 manifestations of diseases. Dr. Sebi says that when you lack iron, the body begins to lose energy, the immune system begins to give way, and there is no oxygen going to the brain because iron is low.

He says that iron conveys oxygen to our brains.

Below are 5 things to know about Dr. Sebi’s guidelines on Iron.

1. Dr. Sebi Iron-Rich Foods List

Here is a list of iron-rich foods approved by Dr Sebi:

• Sarsaparilla: Has the highest iron content
• Concosa
• Guaca: Contains iron and also strengthens the immune system
• Sea Moss
• Lily of the valley

Note that some of these foods contain other minerals such as zinc, magnesium and potassium phosphate.

2. Dr. Sebi Iron-Rich Herbs List

Here is a list of Dr Sebi’s iron-rich herbs. Most of these herbs are readily available at your local grocery store.

• Guinea Hen `Weed (Anamu): This herb is rich in iron and excellent for cleansing the body of harmful toxins. You can use it in teas and tinctures.
• Burdock: this herb is famous for being an excellent blood purifier. You can drink it as tea or have it crushed into powder that you can use in your smoothies.
• Chickweed: This is an excellent herb, full of anti-inflammatory properties. You can use it in teas, extracts and tinctures.
• Red Willow Bark: is anti-inflammatory and great for easing menstrual pain.
• Elderberries: You can use it as a tea or add the powder to your smoothies. This herb is good for boosting your immune system and improved heart health.

3. Dr. Sebi Iron Compounds

Here is what you need to know about Dr Sebi Iron compounds.

• Bio Iron

Unlike the standard iron component, bio iron is kinder and gentler to your digestive system. It also has reduced chances of constipation compared to other iron supplements.

Some brands of this iron compound contain bis-glycinate, which improves iron’s bioavailability by ensuring that your body absorbs iron optimally.

• Iron phosphate

You get Iron phosphate when you combine phosphorus, oxygen and iron. Unfortunately, this compound of iron is toxic and ingesting it can prove fatal sometimes.

However, both iron and phosphate ions can be found in certain food in negligible amounts. For instance, iron phosphate is used to fortify foods such as bread, some beverages and even milk.

Even then, it is wise to avoid consuming such foods.

• Iron plus

Iron plus is actually an iron supplement fortified with other vitamins. It is a form of medication and is usually used to treat and prevent vitamin deficiency caused by illnesses, poor diet or pregnancy.  

Nonetheless, consuming iron plus may not be the best alternative for you. This is because you are likely to experience nasty side effects such as diarrhea, constipation and mild stomach upsets.

Thankfully, severe reactions to iron plus are rare.

• Iron fluorine

Sometimes, Iron fluorine is also termed as Ferric fluoride. According to Dr Sebi, this mineral can only be found in natural plants and herbs.

He insists that the kind of iron compound you purchase from the stores is usually iron oxide which, unfortunately, is non-bio available and is probably toxic.

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Benefits of Dr. Sebi Iron Compounds

Here are some benefits of Dr Sebi Iron compounds:

• Dr. Sebi Iron phosphate benefits

Although iron phosphate (ferric phosphate) is toxic to slugs and snails when they consume it, it is regarded as safe for humans.Studies show that this compound is not harmful to humans.

However, prolonged exposure to iron phosphate is harmful to you, and you should therefore limit your exposure. Prolonged exposure may lead to iron poisoning, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, depression.

Severe reaction to iron phosphate may lead to muscle tremors, weakness and, more fatally, liver failure.

• Dr. Sebi Iron plus benefits

Iron plus is good for you. Apart from being kinder to your digestive system, it also helps reduce tiredness and general body fatigue. Additionally, it is a vital component in healthy red blood cells synthesis.

• Dr. Sebi Iron fluorine benefits

According to Dr Sebi, deprivation of iron fluorine may lead to sickle cell anemia. Iron fluorine is the only magnetic mineral that’s harmless to the body. It is responsible for maintaining a healthy immune system.

• Dr. Sebi Bio iron benefits

Just like iron plus, the bio iron compound is excellent for your digestive tract. For one, it aids boost iron levels, especially if you have a low dietary iron intake.

• Dr. Sebi Green leaf bio iron Benefits

Green leaf bio iron has nature’s ingredients such as Elderberry, Burdock, Sarsparilla and Yellow Dock. It helps rebuild and cleanse your bloodstream and enable the quicker formation of healthy new cells.

4. Dr. Sebi on Anemia

Dr Sebi ascertains that Anemia, especially sickle cell anemia, is caused by deprivation of iron, iron fluorine and vegetable iron. He says the body cells deteriorates when you don’t consume these compounds.

He is not of the idea that Anemia is caused by cell mutation. In addition to this, he says that good nutrition, especially from natural plants, will reset the body back to its original, healthy version.

5. Iron is a Compound

While Iron is a chemical element and is classified as a transition metal. Physically, iron is solid at room temperature.

Nonetheless, the iron you consume are iron compounds, or sometimes, iron salts. Iron from food comes in two categories: heme and non-heme.

Heme form of iron is found in animal flesh, for instance, seafood, poultry and meat. On the other hand, non-heme iron is mostly plant-based and is found in plants such as nuts, whole grains, leafy greens and legumes.

You may also find trace quantities of non-heme iron in animals that consume plant foods.

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Conclusion

There is much about iron and its compound. Regardless, it is a worthy addition to your diet, whether you are on a restrictive one like the alkaline diet or not. Lack of iron in your system is dangerous, the same way too much of it is. Hence, you have to consume just the right amount of it.