Nutritional Principles for Haemacramotosis
Hemochromatosis is a metabolic disorder characterized by excessive iron absorption due to a deficiency in Hepcidin, which is particularly common in Northern Europe and worldwide. It results from mutations in the genes located on chromosome 6. Hepcidin is a hormone synthesized in the liver that plays a role in iron metabolism. Its function is to regulate iron stores by inhibiting the absorption of iron in the intestinal mucosal cells. Therefore, in the absence of Hepcidin, iron is excessively absorbed and accumulates in the body. The accumulated iron can create toxic effects in the body. The main principle in the nutritional treatment of this disease is to control portion sizes of iron-rich foods and create a nutrition plan by combining them with other nutrients that reduce iron absorption. Both in terms of quantity and ease of absorption, the best source of iron is meat. Red meat contains more iron than white meat. Additionally, foods rich in i...