There are millions of excuses for being overweight – I know, I have used most of them.
But, be it puppy fat, heavy bones (how DO you weigh them?), glands, water retention or an allergy to fresh veg, very few people have any real excuse for being overweight.
I certainly don’t.
What I do have however, is a complex metabolism that means not only do I have to lose weight, but I have to be aware of eating the right things.
I was diagnosed earlier this year with hemochromatosis, a relatively unknown, but common genetic disease. In its simplest terms, my body does not have the correct genetic make-up to metabolise iron correctly. Simply put, when we eat iron, our bodies use what it needs and then eliminates any surplus, like any other vitamin or mineral. Sufferers of hemochromatosis are unable to do this, so the levels of iron in the body build to toxic levels, causing serious health issues involving the heart, liver, pancreas and brain. Arthritis is another manifestation of the disease. The link I have provided will give a fuller picture of the disease.
I additionally suffer from hypokalemia, which is a deficiency of the absorption of potassium – despite my best efforts with consumption of bananas and dried apricots, I still need to take a daily supplement.
Medical opinion seems to be patchy on hemochromatosis, particularly when it comes to diet.
I consult every hemochromatosis society that has a web site, and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on about the disease.
I think in all truth, very little is known as to the EXACT effect on each food group on someone with hemochromatosis, so I have tried to amass a personal” Do’s and Don’t” list to follow, based on the medical information I have acquired.
THE GROUND RULES
1. Limit consumption of alcohol.
2. Tannins when consumed with iron rich foods slow down its absorption (I drink tea when I eat red meat – very stylish when eating out – mug of tea with a steak)
3. Calcium slows the absorption of iron – something like a lasagne would be a good way to consume iron rich red meat, due to the calcium in the cheese and milk. I also use calcium supplements as well.
4. Limit consumption of red meat, offal and blood products (black pudding)
5. Vitamin C greatly increases the absorption of iron – I avoid fruit juice all together
6. Heme based iron (from meat sources) is absorbed at a higher rate than non heme iron (non meat sources)
7. Never eat raw shellfish (I avoid raw fish as well)
8, It is impossible to eat an iron free diet, as even people with hemochromatosis need iron for normal function.
9.Foods high in anti oxidants can help in reducing oxidative stress in unbound iron.
10. Avoid iron enriched breakfast cereals, which is pretty much all of them.
It’s a bit of a balancing act as you can see.
To date, my biggest problem has been the rapid advancement of arthritis, which is also attributed to obesity, and family history.
This has been without doubt the single biggest incentive to lose weight as it has had such an effect on my lifestyle.
So, with the ground rules in place, I have started the big uphill struggle to reduce my weight to try and lessen the impact on my joints, particularly my back, hips and knees.
Hemochrmatosis treatment is unfortunately a bit of a seventeenth century affair, involving regular phlebotomy (venipuncture) sessions at the local hospital. Symptoms of hemochromatosis generally improve with this regular, lifelong treatment, with the exception of arthritis.
Diet, therefore has to be my only way forward.
