> 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