iron supplementation

[malan]

Hello,
Could someone tell me if iron supplements are safe under chronic myocarditis? I am 50 year old male and my iron levels are 10.3. Could this be the cause of shortness of breath and fatigue,( heart failure induced by iron shortage?) and could iron supplements help?
Thanks very much

[ed34]

Research carried out in India, using Ghee (clarified butter) seems to suggest that the CLA acid does help with cardiac and cancer issues. However, they are very cautious because this is still fat and recommend small doses.

[malan]

Thanks ed for the post. I was a little hesitant about the iron rich foods too, but what you say makes sense. Ghee, in Ayurveda, is considered one of the best foods, with many health enhancing properties, including anti-inflammatory properties. I am also trying out an Ayurvedic heart supplement called Arjuna, which is said to strengthen heart muscles.The problem is I am not sure how much truth there is to these claims. I will be without internet access for the next 3 weeks or so, and so may take time to respond to your further suggestions.
Thanks and with best wishes,
Malan

[ed34]

The beauty of eating a healthy diet is that the body will only absorb what it needs. Research was performed on vitamin C for example, where half the volunteers were given supplement pills and the other half a sugar pill. Urine samples were taken daily along with blood tests. The volunteers taking the vitamin C pills were simply passing the excess out through their urine. It is also worth noting how pill manufacturers make claims such as "Half the nation is deficient" and yet the research revealed that hardly anyone was deficient in vitamin C in the UK. Those kinds of selling tactics should be made illegal. Taking high iron foods, such as dark green vegetables will not overdose you. With regards to Ghee, I'm not sure what you are asking? This is clarified butter, usually made from milk, and is used in cuisine in lots of different countries.

[malan]

Yes, I can try that. But would the iron in the food do more harm or good, as excess iron may be damaging? Would you be knowing if the consumption of ghee, which is recomended under Ayurveda, could be beneficial?
Thanks and with best wishes,
Malan

[ed34]

Rather than supplements, is there no access to naturally high iron foods?

[malan]

Sorry for this late reply, but I was somehow under the impression that I had already replied to your post. I am thinking of trying Ayurvedic nutritional supplements, since there doesn't seem to be much that Western medicine can do to help in this case.
Regards
Malan

[malan]

Thanks for the post ed34. My only worry is that iron supplements may be risky if the anemia is induced by chronic disease like viral myocarditis. Since this seems to be difficult to diagnose, I am nervous about trying the iron supplements.
Thanks and with best wishes,
Malan

[ed34]

The only way to know is to take a supplement and see if your blood test reveals improvement. Have you tried iron rich foods first?
Iron deficiency can cause the symptoms you list, because the body uses Iron to make Haemoglobin, the red blood cells which carry Oxygen around the body and remove Carbon Dioxide. Lower Oxygen will affect you in those ways.