Tips for looking after your health

SarahB16

GDB2222 said:

SarahB16 said:

Murphybear said:

My GP prescribed some iron tablets.  

Hopefully for only a very short time.  It is definitely not advisable to take iron tablets long term and far better to increase your iron levels naturally to the required level via food.  

I’m on iron tablets, and I have been long term. If I don’t take them I become anaemic. Why is it inadvisable?  Any specific reason, or just a general idea that adjusting diet is better? 

It is commonly reported in the UK that one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime.  Some people say we all have cancerous cells in our body but some people's immunity is better at keeping it under control than others so those people may die with cancerous cells as opposed to dying of cancer.  

It is also commonly reported that cancer cells require iron to grow so it could be argued why feed those cancerous cells.  

However, as with everything in life, it's a trade-off, what do you benefit from taking something versus the risks. 

I can only speak for myself and I'm most definitely not giving advice but all I will say is that I personally would never take iron tablets.  

GDB2222

SarahB16 said:

GDB2222 said:

SarahB16 said:

Murphybear said:

My GP prescribed some iron tablets.  

Hopefully for only a very short time.  It is definitely not advisable to take iron tablets long term and far better to increase your iron levels naturally to the required level via food.  

I’m on iron tablets, and I have been long term. If I don’t take them I become anaemic. Why is it inadvisable?  Any specific reason, or just a general idea that adjusting diet is better? 

It is commonly reported in the UK that one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime.  Some people say we all have cancerous cells in our body but some people's immunity is better at keeping it under control than others so those people may die with cancerous cells as opposed to dying of cancer.  

It is also commonly reported that cancer cells require iron to grow so it could be argued why feed those cancerous cells.  

However, as with everything in life, it's a trade-off, what do you benefit from taking something versus the risks. 

I can only speak for myself and I'm most definitely not giving advice but all I will say is that I personally would never take iron tablets.  

I’m low on iron. That’s the cause of my anaemia. So, I need to increase my iron intake one way or another. I’m interested to hear that my cancer risk is lower because of this. 

Spoonie_Turtle

SarahB16 said:

GDB2222 said:

SarahB16 said:

Murphybear said:

My GP prescribed some iron tablets.  

Hopefully for only a very short time.  It is definitely not advisable to take iron tablets long term and far better to increase your iron levels naturally to the required level via food.  

I’m on iron tablets, and I have been long term. If I don’t take them I become anaemic. Why is it inadvisable?  Any specific reason, or just a general idea that adjusting diet is better? 

It is also commonly reported that cancer cells require iron to grow so it could be argued why feed those cancerous cells.  

How is iron in tablet form different from iron in food, in terms of feeding cancer cells? 

Plus you mentioned the immune system - prolonged anaemia weakens the immune system (on top of all the other symptoms and potential damage it causes).
https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/anaemia-leaflet/iron-deficiency-anaemia#symptoms-of-iron-deficiency-anaemia

SarahB16

Spoonie_Turtle said:

How is iron in tablet form different from iron in food, in terms of feeding cancer cells? 

Prescribed iron tablets are generally of a higher dose compared to what you would get from your food.  Lower dose iron tablets would of course be safer than higher dose iron tablets.   

If you wish to research more yourself perhaps take a look on PubMed where the scientific research articles are published.  

GDB2222

SarahB16 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

How is iron in tablet form different from iron in food, in terms of feeding cancer cells? 

Prescribed iron tablets are generally of a higher dose compared to what you would get from your food.  Lower dose iron tablets would of course be safer than higher dose iron tablets.   

If you wish to research more yourself perhaps take a look on PubMed where the scientific research articles are published.  

Ferrous sulphate, which is the tablet form usually issued, is poorly absorbed. So, although there’s a lot of iron in the tablets, most of it just goes right through the body. 

Murphybear

GDB2222 said:

SarahB16 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

How is iron in tablet form different from iron in food, in terms of feeding cancer cells? 

Prescribed iron tablets are generally of a higher dose compared to what you would get from your food.  Lower dose iron tablets would of course be safer than higher dose iron tablets.   

If you wish to research more yourself perhaps take a look on PubMed where the scientific research articles are published.  

Ferrous sulphate, which is the tablet form usually issued, is poorly absorbed. So, although there’s a lot of iron in the tablets, most of it just goes right through the body. 

According to all the medical research magazines, the NHS and my Haematology lecturer, ferrous sulphate is the best absorbed which is why it is usually prescribed 

GDB2222

Murphybear said:

GDB2222 said:

SarahB16 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

How is iron in tablet form different from iron in food, in terms of feeding cancer cells? 

Prescribed iron tablets are generally of a higher dose compared to what you would get from your food.  Lower dose iron tablets would of course be safer than higher dose iron tablets.   

If you wish to research more yourself perhaps take a look on PubMed where the scientific research articles are published.  

Ferrous sulphate, which is the tablet form usually issued, is poorly absorbed. So, although there’s a lot of iron in the tablets, most of it just goes right through the body. 

According to all the medical research magazines, the NHS and my Haematology lecturer, ferrous sulphate is the best absorbed which is why it is usually prescribed 

I don’t think there’s any conflict between the two statements.  

Most people absorb plenty of iron from their normal diet, anyway.