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Medically proven, fast-acting ways to block iron absorption and treat high ferritin levels
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Ferritin is a protein your body makes to store iron for later use. The normal range for ferritin is pretty wide (11–307 micrograms per mL for women, 24–336 micrograms per mL for men), but a level over the upper end of the range may be a sign of a more serious condition like hemochromatosis, liver disease, or hyperthyroidism. [1] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Thankfully, there are steps you can take at home to lower your ferritin levels quickly and improve your overall health at the same time. In this article, we’ll show you the best diet and exercise changes to make to get your ferritin back in the normal range.
Quick Ways to Reduce Ferritin Levels
- Reduce your iron consumption by eating less red meat.
- Avoid supplements or multivitamins with iron and vitamin C.
- Add iron-blocking foods like nuts and seeds or legumes to your diet.
- Stick to an exercise routine to lower ferritin levels.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
Steps
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Limit your consumption of red meat, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Red meat has high concentrations of heme iron (iron from animal sources), which is more easily absorbed by the body. Absorption of heme iron also increases your body's absorption of nonheme iron (iron from plant-based foods). If you do choose to eat red meat, look for lower-iron sources like ground beef and cheap cuts. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- In addition to limiting red meats, stick to low-iron fish like cod or salmon (some fish, like tuna and mackerel, have high iron levels). Avoid uncooked fish, like in sushi or ceviche, and shellfish as well.
- Avoid eating red meat with foods high in vitamin C (like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and potatoes) or beta-carotene (like yellow, orange, and green leafy fruits and vegetables), which enhance iron absorption. [3] X Research source
- Dark, leafy greens contain oxalates, which inhibit iron absorption. However, these greens also tend to have high levels of iron in them (like spinach).
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Eat plenty of beans and legumes. Beans and legumes are high in phytates, a micronutrient that inhibits the absorption of iron. Avoid soaking or sprouting your beans before consumption, since this will reduce the phytate levels. Some tasty and healthy legumes include lentils, peas, chickpeas, peanuts, soybeans, and lima beans. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Try to get 3-5 servings of beans and legumes per week (to lower ferritin and for your general health). [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Choose whole-grain bread over white bread. Whole-grain bread has higher phytate concentrations than bread made with refined white flour. However, whole grains also contain more minerals, so check the iron content of any bread you buy to make sure iron levels aren’t high. In addition to whole-grain bread, eat other whole grain sources like barley, farro, quinoa, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Leavened bread has lower levels of phytates than unleavened bread.
- About 50% of most people’s phytate intake comes from whole grains, so eat up!
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Have a glass of milk after meals to get more calcium and block iron. Calcium inhibits iron absorption, which can reduce the complications of the excess iron already present in your body. In addition to milk, try eating yogurt or hard cheese for a snack. Other calcium-rich foods that won’t up your iron include seeds, almonds, whey protein, and calcium-fortified beverages. [7] X Research source
- If you're lactose-intolerant, drink mineral water infused with calcium during and after meals.
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Drink green tea or coffee with or after meals. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that bind to iron and prevent its absorption. If you plan on eating an iron-rich meal, drink a cup of green tea while you eat to lessen the effects on your ferritin levels. [8] X Research source
- Black, peppermint, and chamomile teas also have iron-blocking properties.
- If you don’t enjoy tea, try coffee instead. It’s been shown to lower iron absorption after meals by almost 40%. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Snack on nuts and seeds throughout the day. Nuts and seeds, including walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts, inhibit your body's absorption of iron. In addition to a handful of nuts as a snack, try adding nuts to casseroles or putting nut butters (like peanut butter or almond butter) on sandwiches. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Seeds, like sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, or chia seeds, also contain iron-blocking phytates.
- Coconuts have the same iron inhibitors as nuts and seeds, but in concentrations so low that they don’t have a significant effect on your body's iron absorption (they’re tasty and nutritious in other ways, though!).
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Steer clear of nutritional supplements that contain iron and vitamin C. If you regularly take a multivitamin or other supplement, check the label carefully to make sure it does not include iron. The iron included in supplements is formulated to be especially easy for your body to absorb. [11] X Research source
- Avoid iron-fortified foods, like fortified breads and breakfast cereals, too. Check the nutritional labels on any food you buy and avoid anything with added iron.
- Other metals, like zinc, manganese, and magnesium, are similar enough to iron that they can slightly inhibit iron uptake. If you take a multivitamin, make sure these metals are included.
- Vitamin C is often used as an immune booster to help fight colds. Swap your Emergen-C packet for a zinc lozenge instead, since zinc has similar cold-fighting abilities.
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Reduce your alcohol intake significantly and quit smoking . Excessive amounts of alcohol combined with excessive iron can cause extensive damage to your liver. Higher than normal ferritin levels have been linked to alcohol abuse, and may be an early sign of liver disease. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Studies also show that current and former smokers have higher ferritin levels than non-smokers. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- If you do drink alcohol, stick to red wine. It has micronutrients that inhibit iron absorption. [14] X Research source
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Start a walking regimen if you’re not particularly active. Walking is a good way to get moving and build your overall physical strength and lower ferritin at the same time. Aim to walk at least 30 minutes a day (in addition to other physical activities) and to gradually increase the speed, distance, and time you spend walking. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Stretch and warm up your body before any exercise, even something as low-impact as walking.
- In one study, participants significantly lowered their ferritin levels after completing three 1-hour walking sessions per week for 32 weeks.
- Escalating your walking to running may cause a greater reduction in ferritin levels, too.
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Do weight or resistance training 3 times per week. Working out with weights increases your overall muscle strength as well as reduces your ferritin levels. In some studies, lower ferritin levels were detected in as little as 15 weeks. [16] X Trustworthy Source Nature Respected Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal Go to source Try doing at least 40 minutes of strength training 3 times a week, along with your regular exercise routine. [17] X Research source
- You may want to start with resistance training if you have a hard time with aerobic exercises, such as walking or running.
- If you're new to weight training, start out with a trainer or experienced lifter. They’ll make sure you have proper form to avoid injuring yourself.
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Increase the intensity and duration of your exercise as you progress. Intense exercise (beyond regular, moderate exercise) has the greatest effect on ferritin levels. Try interval training or sign up for a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) class to engage in intense, prolonged training. Talk to your doctor about what types of training may be right for you, and to get recommendations for programs or professionals in your area that can help get you started. [18] X Research source
- Try looking for free or low-cost guided HIIT workouts on YouTube or workout apps if you’d rather not pay for a class.
- High-intensity interval training can burn a significant amount of calories in a short period of time, as well as potentially reduce your ferritin levels.
- Athletes with normal ferritin levels have a high likelihood of developing an iron deficiency as a result of intense training.
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Have patience with yourself while you lower your ferritin. If you’ve just started working out, it may take months or longer to affect your ferritin levels to a significant degree. Gradually increase the intensity of your exercise, stick to a low-iron diet, and continue to check your ferritin levels regularly to monitor your progress. [19] X Research source
- Exercise or diet alone may not be enough to noticeably curb your ferritin. Employ both together for the best results.
- Remember that high ferritin is not usually a cause for immediate concern. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you have plenty of time to work on getting your levels down.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I do if my ferritin level is high?Kristi Acuna is a Holistic Nutritionist and the Owner of Holistic Nutrition Center in Orange County, California. With over 15 years of experience, Kristi specializes in a comprehensive and holistic approach to nutrition through nutrition response testing, heart rate variability, thermography, and brainspan. She has experience helping with weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, food allergies, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, digestion problems, sinus infections, and PMS and menopause symptoms. Kristi holds a BS in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health. Holistic Nutrition Center focuses on the root cause of health challenges and helps people heal and restore balance to their bodies.It's best to talk to your doctor to find out what's causing your high ferritin levels. Your body could be having trouble absorbing iron because it doesn't have enough stomach acid.
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QuestionWhat causes high ferritin levels?Kristi Acuna is a Holistic Nutritionist and the Owner of Holistic Nutrition Center in Orange County, California. With over 15 years of experience, Kristi specializes in a comprehensive and holistic approach to nutrition through nutrition response testing, heart rate variability, thermography, and brainspan. She has experience helping with weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, food allergies, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, digestion problems, sinus infections, and PMS and menopause symptoms. Kristi holds a BS in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health. Holistic Nutrition Center focuses on the root cause of health challenges and helps people heal and restore balance to their bodies.If you have high ferritin levels, you most likely do not have enough stomach acid, or hydrochloric acid. If your body doesn't have enough stomach acid, it won't be able to absorb the iron correctly, which will result in high levels of iron.
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Tips
- High ferritin often means you have too much iron in your body. Common causes of high ferritin include alcohol abuse, hemochromatosis, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism. [20] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to sourceThanks
- Talk to your doctor about how to reduce your ferritin levels. High ferritin levels are often due to a lack of stomach acid in your body, which causes your body to be unable to absorb the iron and process it appropriately. [21] X Expert Source Kristi Acuna
Holistic Nutritionist Expert Interview. 17 September 2020.Thanks - If your ferritin doesn’t drop with diet and exercise, speak to your doctor about other treatments. In severe cases, phlebotomy (blood removal) or chelation (medication to remove iron from your tissue) may be needed.Thanks
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Warnings
- Milk thistle is a commonly recommended supplement for treating excessive iron. However, depending on the reason for your high ferritin levels, milk thistle may actually exacerbate the problem. [22] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Talk to your doctor before starting any herbal supplements, including milk thistle.Thanks
- Consult with your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen. Have your ferritin levels tested regularly to evaluate your body's response to training and adjust as necessary.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ferritin-test/about/pac-20384928
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4584241/
- ↑ https://www.singlecare.com/blog/hemochromatosis-diet/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6367879/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20050989
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6367879/
- ↑ https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.21.20198358v1.full
- ↑ http://news.psu.edu/story/396431/2016/03/08/research/green-tea-and-iron-bad-combination
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165914/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3341259
- ↑ https://www.singlecare.com/blog/hemochromatosis-diet/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4434614/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5136357/
- ↑ https://theconversation.com/what-to-drink-with-dinner-to-get-the-most-iron-from-your-food-and-what-to-avoid-156579
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4669095/
- ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-60759-z
- ↑ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150727093349.htm
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/21613774_Exercise_and_Iron_Status
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233990675_The_effect_of_aerobic_exercise_on_serum_ferritin_levels_in_untrained_middle-aged_women
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/ferritin-blood-test/
- ↑ Kristi Acuna. Holistic Nutritionist. Expert Interview. 17 September 2020.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2231430/
About This Article
Article Summary
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Ferritin is a protein your body makes to store iron, and you can reduce your ferritin levels through simple changes to your diet and exercise regimen. Try to eat less red meat, since it's high in iron. Instead, eat plenty of beans, lentils, whole grains, and nuts. You can also drink a glass of milk or eat a yogurt after your meals. The calcium in the dairy will will slow down iron absorption in your body. If you don’t eat dairy, you can drink green tea instead for the same effect. It’s also important to work out a few times a week. If going to the gym isn’t your thing, you can swim, join a dance or martial arts class, or even just go for a walk. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to incorporate more nuts into your meals, read on!
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