Iron Depletes Vitamin E
Another reason to rethink those iron supplements and chuck those iron-fortified foods? Iron depletes Vitamin E.
🔸
“...iron depletes vitamin E absorption in the small intestine,” especially “ferrous sulfate or the iron added to food products.” — Dr. Buck Levin & Elson M. Haas
🔸
“Iron destroys vitamin E...[and] reacts with it in the stomach.” — Dr. Ray Peat
🔸
The situation becomes more complex when you can understand that:
🔸
〰️Estrogen increases iron absorption
〰️Iron depletes copper
〰️Estrogen decreases the effect of Vitamin E
🔸
There are also things like polyunsaturated fat consumption that deplete Vitamin E as well.
🔸
As I’ve talked about before, Vitamin E is a KEY fertility nutrient.
🔸
Also, Vitamin E supplementation can not only help combat the oxidative damage that excess iron lays waste to, but help oppose the very hormone — estrogen — that increases iron absorption.
🔸
How to improve Vitamin E levels naturally?
🔸
〰️Have a real talk about those iron supplements
〰️Ditch iron-fortified foods
〰️Swap polyunsaturated fats for saturated ones
〰️Decrease stress so you can decrease estrogen
〰️Consider taking a high-quality, whole-food Vitamin E supplement like @mitolife (15% w/ code INNATE)
_____________________________________________________________
This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
_____________________________________________________________
References
Haas, E. M. Levin, B. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition. New York, NY: Ten Speed Press.
Peat, R. (2006). Iron’s dangers. Retrieved from: https://raypeat.com/articles/articles/iron-dangers.shtml.
Tang, M. Frank, D.N. Sherlock, L. Ir, D. Robertson, C.E. Krebs, N.F. (2017). Effect of vitamin E with therapeutic iron supplementation on iron repletion and gut microbiome in U.S. iron deficient infants and toddlers: a randomized control trial. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4994979/.
Wade, C. (1970). The Rejuvenation Vitamin. New York, NY: Award Books. London, England: Tandem Books.
TTC? Get empowered with Conscious Conception, the ultimate fertility blueprint created to help you optimize your fertility and enter pregnancy empowered.
Stay in touch.
Sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive content and resources all about fertility and beyond.
We will never misuse your information.