I just found 2 websites about getting more iron (in addition to supplements) -- I'm surprised how much iron is in Bran Flakes (2nd link)

http://www.cfpc.ca/English/cfpc/programs/patient%20education/anemia/default.asp

http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/nutrition/iron.html

Barbe, here's some info from the College of Family Physicians of Canada:

	The information contained in this brochure may be out of date and is currently being reviewed. It is not intended to answer specific medical questions, but is provided for general information only. Please talk to your family physician directly about your health concerns. Hide Box Ask Your Family Doctor Developed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada What is anemia? Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. All parts of your body need oxygen. Anemia can starve your body of the oxygen it needs to survive. Some people refer to anemia as "low blood". Symptoms of anemia	Often, no symptoms
	Paleness
	Feeling tired
	More shortness of breath during exercise
	Fast heartbeat
	Symptoms usually come on slowly so that you feel no sudden change in your energy level

Many things can lead to anemia. Your body may not make enough blood or you may lose too much blood from bleeding. Possible causes include low vitamin B12 or folic acid intake and some chronic illnesses. But the most common cause is not having enough iron in your blood. Iron is a mineral the body needs to make hemoglobin. Anemia due to low iron levels is called iron deficiency anemia.

What can lead to low iron levels in the blood?

A number of things can cause your blood to be low in iron.

Lack of iron in the diet. This is mostly a problem for children and young women. Small children who drink large amounts of milk and avoid iron-rich foods and young women who follow fad diets or are vegetarian may be at risk for low iron levels.

Growth spurts. Children under age three are growing so fast that their bodies may have a hard time keeping up with the amount of iron they need.

Pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding need more iron. That's why pregnant women may be tested for anemia and why they need to eat more iron-rich foods or may need to take a daily iron pill.

Blood loss. This is the most common reason for iron deficiency anemia in adults. Women, of course, lose blood every month during their periods. Heavy periods may cause anemia.

Blood loss can also be caused by internal bleeding, usually in the digestive tract. A stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis, cancer, or taking anti-inflammatory pills such as ibuprofen or ASA (an example is aspirin) or similar medicine for a long time can cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. That's why it's so important to find the reason for a low iron level.

How is anemia diagnosed?

A blood test will probably be done to diagnose anemia. Talk to your doctor if you think you might have anemia. Other tests may be needed to find out what's causing the anemia.

Can anemia be prevented?

Some types can, such as those caused by a diet that lacks iron. You can help prevent this type of anemia by making sure you eat foods that contain iron. See the box below for a list of iron-rich foods.

Infants need to be started on cereal by ages 4 to 6 months and formulas should contain iron.

Foods high in iron Liver and other meats Seafood (sardines) Dried fruits like apricots, prunes and raisins Nuts Beans, especially lima beans Green leafy vegetables, such as greens, parsley and broccoli Black strap molasses Whole grains

How is anemia treated?

This depends on what's causing the anemia. For example, if anemia results from losing too much blood, the cause of the blood loss will need to be found and treated. If anemia results from a diet that's low in iron, iron-rich foods or iron pills may be the treatment your doctor suggests.

Pernicious anemia is from low B12 and so you would need B12 shots. Vegan vegetarians can also develop low B12.

How can I increase how much iron I get from my diet?

Only a small amount of the iron in foods is absorbed, or taken in, by your body. Your body best absorbs the iron in meats.

Eating a small amount of meat along with other sources of iron, such as some vegetables, can help you get even more iron out of these foods. Taking high doses of vitamin C pills or eating foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits or juice, at the same time you eat iron-rich foods or take your iron pill may can help your body absorb the iron better.

Cooking in cast-iron pans will increase the iron content of food.

Some foods block the absorption of iron. These include coffee, tea, egg yolks, milk, fiber and soy protein. Try to avoid these things when you're eating food high in iron in order to fully benefit from the iron-rich foods.
Tips on taking iron pills

Take the pills when you eat. Start to take iron slowly. Try taking one pill a day for three to five days, then two pills a day until you aren't bothered by that amount. Increase the number of pills until you're taking the amount your doctor has recommended. Increase the fiber in your diet if you have constipation but also increase your water and fluid intake. This is worth trying even though fiber may get in the way of how well your body can absorb iron. You'll still be able to absorb some iron, and it's better than not taking any iron if you need it. Don't take iron pills at bedtime if they upset your stomach. If one type of iron pills causes problems, talk to your doctor about trying a different formula or brand. Store iron pills safely. Iron poisoning is a leading cause of accidental death in children. Iron pills often look like candy.

Can iron pills cause problems?

Taking iron pills to try to prevent or treat anemia without first talking to your doctor may be harmful. Taking iron if you have anemia may make diagnosing anemia more difficult. It may also cover up a more serious disorder that could be causing the anemia.

Iron pills can also cause stomach upset, heartburn and constipation. Be sure to tell your doctor about any discomfort you notice. The tips above may help reduce this discomfort.

Revised 2007 The College of Family Physicians of Canada

I tried to paste some info from the website of The College of Family Physicians of Canada re low iron levels -- but too much computer language stuff showed up and I couldn't edit it out!

Anyhow, Barbe, check out the website www.cfpc.ca  Some interesting stuff -- did you know that drinking tea or coffee interferes with iron absorption?

Hugs, Linda

I typed in "low levels of iron in blood"

My boyfriend regularly rolled my medicine for me. :-)

Ah, Konakat. That explains why you stayed with him so long!

Mary, I saw that your post was removed, and am also at a loss.  I know it wasn't done by any of the posters on this thread. 

This business of reporting posts is sadly out of control.

Linda

Have you noticed it's the center/left of center that get reported?  Not the right?  Inneresting...

Mary, I've also had a couple of posts removed - by the same folks, I'm sure, who disagree with my progressive, liberal positions.  One of them was re-instated, but the mods never responded to my request to learn what was wrong with the second post.

I've said so MANY times that it is only fair that anyone using the Report this Post button should be obligated to acknowledge to the rest of us that they have done so, and why.  Cowards indeed!

Hi Layne!  Hi Rico!

Hugs to all, Linda

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your support.  I believe that some people read this thread looking for posts to censure.  I do not understand it since we discuss so many issues here, and we welcome everyone.  The Canadian thread does not ask non-Canadians NOT to post.  In fact, everyone here welcomes new posters regardless of where they live. 

Layne, I PM'd the Mods again, but I agree with you that I would hate for this thread to disappear like so many others have.  Yet, I am loathe to do nothing and let the "the censure police" get away with this.  

I really hate the fact that not only has my post been "reported" but that I am on 5 posts a day!  Again, why?? 

If I do not respond to your comments it is because I have been put in the penalty box.  I will respond when I am allowed to....

I was thinking Layne -- when we show an interest in another country's health care issues we were told something along the lines of butt out, why would you be interested...  Why wouldn't we be interested?  Should we then think no body cares about Canadians?  When I was living in the US there was minimal reporting on world events -- does no one care what goes on outside their borders?  Just some musing on a snowy day...

I have purchased a bottle of wine to console myself given the disastrous Senate "health reform plan."

Anyone care to join me? 

Thanks, Konakat.

Allow me to toast your truly excellent news - a wonderfully cute and nice onc!  

That is the beauty of the Internet. There's always good news to cheer ourselves up!

Am I allowed to post now?  Let's see...

Hello everyone!  The limited exile is still in effect so I'm limited to five posts/day.  And of course, the tyranny of the Post-Reporters continues.  I'm so glad that we've stuck to the high road and not retaliated in kind.   

Layne - excellent post!  I'm going to copy and paste it on Notepad before it disappears just so I can reread it.  Then I'm going to set it to music and adopt it as my personal anthem.   :-)

Madalyn and Rico - I'm okay with OPM running a plan on the face of it, but I need to find more details I can rely on.  Does anyone have a good source?

E