> From:    Stacie Tolen <[log in to unmask]> said:
> Speaking of supplements, I really need an iron supplement. I was recommended
> to take Floradex liquid, but it contains a "special iron-fed yeast"...should
> I take it anyway? Can anyone recommend a good iron supplement, preferably
> ferrous gluconate, preferably liquid form? (Perhaps Rachel can help me!)

Hi Stacey,

I read your post.... I'd suggest eating 4-6 oz. of dark meat poultry
or red
meat (cooked rare) daily. Or do dark meat chicken or turkey at one
meal per
day and beef, bison or lamb at another meal.  Rare appears to be
best---the
iron seems to be better absorbed, according to the experience of a
friend
who did not get relief from iron deficiency, despite adding beef,
until she
cooked it very rare on the suggestion of her MD!!!  (This is
amazing!).

Also,  I suggest eating cooked dark leafy greens daily (1-2x), about
1-1 1/2
cups would be a serving.  Examples include kale, collards, mustard or
turnip
greens, broccoli, bok choy, or Chinese greens.  Having a green salad
made
from dark leafy greens 1x a day is also good. The iron in those hearty
greens is better absorbed when cooked than when raw; they are also
better
sources of calcium and other minerals than spinach, chard, or beet
greens.

I'd do that first before doing any supplment.  However, if you do want
a
supplement, the only iron one I'd recommend, is powdered beef liver
(made
from grass fed beef) if you are not eating liver or other organ meals
2-3x/wk).  I have used NOW brand from a health food store--1/2-1 Tbsp.
every
day or every other day, dissolved in 6 oz. of tomato juice or a veggie
juice
(like V-8 but from the health food store, with not junky ingredients).
Add
a dash of hot sauce if you like.  This might be good if you don't eat
dark
meats daily or if the other tips don't do the trick (which would
surprise
me!)

I think this tomato-liver cocktail tastes great---and I cannot swallow
beef
liver.  I can tolerate chicken, turkey or duck liver but beef liver
triggers
the gag reflex in me (has since childhood).  I do tolate this beef
liver-tomato cocktail and have enjoyed dried, powdered liver added to
pemmican (small amount beef liver powder with several times more
powdered
beef!).

Healthfully yours,

Rachel Matesz