Should a hemochromatosis patient avoid iron fortified food?
Hemochromatosis patients do not need to avoid iron containing foods. It is strongly recommended that hemochromatosis patients NOT take vitamin-mineral dietary supplements that contain iron. Similarly, no more than 500mg of vitamin C should be consumed because Vitamin C increases iron uptake. Such patients should avoid anything else that has the potential to cause liver damage, such as alcohol consumption—more than mild alcohol consumption should be avoided. In addition, since iron overload patients are susceptible to infections, particularly with Vibrio vullificus and Salmonella enteriditis, they must also avoid the consumption of raw shellfish and raw seafood which can contain these bacteria.
