ON A VEGAN DIET, WHERE DO I GET IRON?

To avoid typical anemia symptoms, learn what causes anemia and how to acquire enough iron on a vegan diet.

Overall, a vegan lifestyle can provide a number of health benefits. The avoidance of animal-based meals, which include numerous detrimental components such as cholesterol, trans and saturated fats, IGF-1, Neu5gc, and other foreign chemicals, is part of the reason for this. Iron, while still abundant in plants, is a little more difficult to come by in a vegan diet. Anemia is a prevalent condition that affects about 3 million Americans (not just vegans) and is caused by a lack of iron. Although not all vegans are anemic, knowing the essentials can help you avoid it in the future.Everything you need to know about veganism and anemia is right here.

What is anemia?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, anemia is the most prevalent blood condition. Anemic people don't have enough red blood cells (or have red blood cells that are damaged) to deliver adequate oxygen from the bloodstream to the body's tissues. Anemia symptoms are graded on a scale of severity. Shortness of breath, dizziness, and brittle nails and hair are mild symptoms, whereas shortness of breath, dizziness, and brittle nails and hair are more severe symptoms.

What causes anemia?

Anemia is most commonly caused by a lack of iron, however it is not the only cause. Anemia can also be caused by heavy menstrual cycles in women, cancer, B12 deficiency, and several inflammatory and chronic disorders including IBS. While you may not be able to manage some of these more unusual triggers, you can control your iron and B12 intake. More on how these two nutrients effect your blood oxygen levels may be found here.

Iron

Hemoglobin, a protein present in red blood cells, is essential for transporting oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is a major component of hemoglobin. Iron also helps cells work properly, regulates hormone synthesis, and strengthens your metabolism. The body cannot create enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues without enough iron, resulting in weariness. For most individuals, the recommended daily amount (RDA) for iron is 8 milligrams for males and 18 milligrams for women.

Heme vs non-heme iron

Heme and non-heme iron are the two forms of iron. Heme iron is most commonly found in animal-based sources, although it is now also present in plant-based meats like Impossible Burgers. Non-heme iron, which is found in both plant and animal sources, is more easily absorbed than heme iron. Vegans are naturally deficient in heme iron, but they can still get enough by eating non-heme iron-rich foods. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health experts, 500 milligrams of vitamin C taken in the same meal can considerably enhance iron absorption.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

While vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the less prevalent deficiencies that can contribute to anemia, it is just as necessary as iron in the synthesis of red blood cells and the transfer of oxygen throughout the body. Because vitamin B12 is exceedingly difficult to come by in plant-based meals, it is the one supplement that every vegan (and person) should take on a daily basis. The only popular plant-based food that naturally includes vitamin B12 is nutritional yeast, and while there are some fortified vegan items on the market, a vegan supplement is a safe and effective solution to avoid deficiency.Although most adults only require 2.4 micrograms per day, don't be frightened if your supplement includes up to 500 micrograms—this is not an overdose.

On a vegan diet, these are the top 5 foods to get iron from.

1 . Legumes and Beans

Legumes are well-known for their high protein content, but they also contain a significant amount of iron. Beans, peas, lentils, and soybeans (including tofu and tempeh) are examples of legumes that can help you meet your daily iron requirements. Lentils and tofu both have roughly 6.6 grams of iron in a cup. When it comes to beans, kidney and lima beans have the most iron, with 5.2 milligrams and 4.5 milligrams per cup, respectively.

2 . Quinoa

Quinoa is commonly referred to as a superfood for a reason. One half cup dry serving of this fluffy, hearty grain includes four grams of iron. If you're suffering from anemia, consider substituting this iron-rich vegan dish for rice in your grain bowls.

3 . Blackstrap molasses

Iron content is quite high in this thick, syrupy material, with 7.2 milligrams per two-tablespoon meal (almost a day's supply of iron for males!). While we don't recommend spooning molasses like vegan Nutella, there are certain ways to incorporate it into your daily diet. This recipe for muhammara dip is an excellent place to start.

4 . Nuts and seeds

Yes, nut butter is included. While you'd have to consume a lot of nuts to meet your iron requirements completely, they do help you get there. Pistachios, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds are all high in iron and contain from 1-2.7 mg per one-ounce serving.

5 . Leafy greens

Leafy greens are truly nutritional powerhouses, as Popeye predicted. Swiss chard has a high iron content, with roughly 400 milligrams per cup cooked. Spinach also contains a significant amount of iron, but it is difficult for the body to absorb. Other greens to consider include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale.