Iron is a vital nutrient from foods needed to produce hemoglobin. Without hemoglobin your red blood cells can't carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Have you ever had periods in your life where you felt out of breath or muscle fatigued just from climbing a few stairs? I had this issue most of my life and little did I know that I was clinically anemic.

Iron deficiency Anemia is a condition where the body is deficient in red blood cells or hemoglobin and is most common in women of child bearing age or those taking certain medications.

Iron is also a major player in a strong immune system!

Most common signs of iron deficiency:

weakness
fatigue (feeling tired)
lower than normal body temperature
frequent illnesses or infections
problems concentrating
poor appetite
shortness of breath with minimal activity
muscle weakness

The quickest and most effective way to increase production of hemoglobin and red blood cells is through iron containing foods. When taken in food the iron is bioavailable and easily assimilated.

Foods rich in iron include:

Red meat
Liver
Seafood, selfish
Pre soaked beans specifically chickpeas and kidney beans
Dark green leafy vegetables, such as cooked spinach
Unsulfured Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots
Peas
Pumpkin seeds
Lentils
Algae specifically chlorella and spiralina

For best absorption of iron it is best eaten with foods containing vitamin C such as:

oranges and orange juice
sweet peppers
kiwi
papaya, guava, mango
broccoli
brussels sprouts
strawberries
grapefruit and grapefruit juice
dark, leafy greens (kale, collards, mustards)
cantaloupe
tomatoes and tomato juice

A great meal for boosting iron would be a homemade beef chili like this one originally posted by https://www.mommypotamus.com/ultimate-beef-liver-chili/cookbook-print/60941/ with kidney beans, tomato sauce, and ground liver with lots of parsley and cilantro

Ingredients

2 pounds grass-fed ground beef
1/2 - 1 pound chicken livers*
2-3 large onions, peeled and chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs coconut oil or tallow
8 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped or 25 oz. peeled diced tomatoes ( Lucini brand comes in glass jars instead of BPA-lined cans)
1 cup bone broth or water
4 tbs chili powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbs cumin
1 tsp coriander
2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tbsp unrefined sea salt (you'll probably want to add more, but if you happen to use stewed tomatoes or broth that has salt added this is a good place to start)
2 lemons or 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups dried kidney beans, optional
Lots of fresh chopped cilantro, red onion, and parsley on top as garnish

Get those iron rich foods in and see what a difference it makes in your energy!

In Good Health and Happiness,

Brandy Augustine Phd......."The Gut Healer"