Natural treatments & home remedies for hemochromatosis

The hereditary hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body absorbs too much iron from the food which you eat. The excess iron is stored in the organs, such as pancreas, liver and heart. If we have too much iron in the body, then it can lead to life – threatening conditions, such as diabetes, heart problems and liver disease. Those genes which cause this disease are inherited but only a minor of people who have these genes will develop serious problems.

Usually, the signs and symptoms of the hemochromatosis appear in the mild-life. The early signs and symptoms of the disease include weakness; joint pain; fatigue and abdominal pain. The later signs and symptoms of the hemochromatosis include loss of sex drive; diabetes; liver failure; heart failure and impotence. People who have two copies of a mutated HFE gene have increased risk of getting this disease. If you have a parent or sibling with hemochromatosis, then you have more chances of developing it.

Those people who are Northern European descent have more chances of getting hemochromatosis compared to people of other ethnic backgrounds. It is noticed that men have more chances of developing the signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis at earlier age. Women have more chances of developing this disease after menopause. Some complications caused by the hemochromatosis include bronze or gray skin color due to the deposits of iron in skin cells; cirrhosis or permanent scarring of the liver, which can lead to serious and life – threatening complications; arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis; a higher chance of liver cancer in individuals with both cirrhosis and hemochromatosis; endocrine problems, such as hypogonadism and hypothyroidism, etc. [1]

If you suffer from this disease, then you should talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition so you will avoid side effects.

Home remedies for hemochromatosis

Avoid eating raw fish and shellfish

Those people who have hereditary hemochromatosis are susceptible to infections, particularly those who are caused by certain bacteria in raw fish and shellfish. It is known that shellfish has a bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus which can be fatal for people who are born with high body iron levels. You should take care when you are walking barefoot on beaches because there can be present contaminated shells.

Rosemary leaves for hemochromatosis

This natural cure is antioxidant in nature which can help to promote the good brain (circulation) and it will protect your heart. This is a reason why you can use rosemary leaves as your home remedy for hemochromatosis. [2]

Avoid alcohol

It is known that the alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage in people who have hereditary hemochromatosis. If you suffer from hereditary hemochromatosis and if you are already diagnosed with liver disease, then you should avoid alcohol completely. There are some studies in which are said that the red wine can be benefit when it is consumed in moderation because it has tannins. [3]

Gingko leaves for hemochromatosis

You can use the leaves of ginkgo because they have antioxidant properties which can help to protect your heart, brain, arteries and veins. You can use them as your home remedy for hemochromatosis.

Reishi mushrooms for hemochromatosis

This natural cure is an immune protector, heart protector, nerve protector and liver protector. You can use it as your home remedy for hemochromatosis. [4]

Avoid Vitamin C supplements

It is known that the Vitamin C can increase the absorption of iron. Usually, there is no need to restrict the Vitamin C in your diet but talk with your doctor if you should consume Vitamin C.

Avoid iron supplements and multivitamins containing iron

It is known that the mentioned supplements and multivitamins can increase the iron levels even more so you need to avoid them. They can have high amounts of Vitamin C, iron and other nutrients which can enhance the iron absorption. You should always check the label of the multivitamin and talk with your doctor before you start taking it so you will be sure that it will not worsen the symptoms of hemochromatosis. [5]

Avoid foods high in animal fats

It is known that fats (also called lipids) are in a combination with unbound iron can generate free radical activity which is destructive to cells and it can damage DNA. This is a reason why you should avoid foods which are having high amounts of animal fats.

Schizandra berries for hemochromatosis

This is an adaptogen herb which can be used as a home remedy for hemochromatosis because it can protect adrenal liver and respiratory system.

Rhodiola root for hemochromatosis

This is an adaptogen, antioxidant and heart protective herb which can help to make your mind sharper. This is a reason why you can use it as your home remedy for hemochromatosis. [6]

Avoid sugary foods or beverages

You should avoid sugar foods or beverages because it is known that the sugar can enhance the absorption of iron.

Consume lot of fruits and vegetables

It is very important to consume a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables because they can help you in the fight against hemochromatosis. You should add spinach in your diet. These foods are rich in fiber and antioxidants which can inhibit the free radical production. Also, spinach has oxalates which can impair the absorption of iron contained in this plant. It is known that fruits and vegetables have non – heme iron which is not absorbed well. Also, you should add nuts, grains, rice and beans in your diet because they can help you in your fight against hemochromatosis. The mentioned foods are rich in fiber which can impair the absorption of non – heme iron and they can promote healthy digestion. You should avoid breakfast cereals which have been fortified with extra iron because they can worsen your condition.

Grains and legumes

It is known that grain and legumes have substances that can inhibit the iron absorption, specifically phytic acid. For many people, a diet which is high in grains can put them at risk for mineral deficiencies, such as zinc, iron and calcium. But for people who suffer from hemochromatosis, the phytic acid can help to keep the body from over-absorbing iron from foods. [7]

Reduce consumption of red meat

You should reduce the consumption of red meat because the red meat is the most easily absorbed form of iron which is known as heme iron.

Eggs for hemochromatosis

Eggs have a non-heme iron so they are good for people who suffer from hemochromatosis. Also, they have a phosphoprotein in the egg yolk which is known as phosvitin. There are some studies in which are shown that the phosvitin can inhibit the absorption of iron, among other minerals. In one animal study was found that rats which were fed with a yolk protein had lower iron absorption compared to rats which were given soy or casein protein.

Lean protein

The protein is a very important part of a healthy diet. There are many dietary sources which have iron but this does not mean that you have to cut the meat out of your diet completely. You should plan your meals around protein sources which are lower in iron, such as tuna, chicken, turkey and even deli meat. [8]

Turmeric for hemochromatosis

There are some studies in which are thought that turmeric can help you in the fight against hemochromatosis. It is antioxidant and it can help to support the immune system. You should talk with your doctor if the turmeric is suitable for you and which is the best form in which you should consume it. It is noticed that turmeric can help to reduce too much iron which has already accumulated in your body. [9]

Avoid foods which have high amounts of Vitamin A

There are some human studies in which are said that the Vitamin A can increase the absorption of iron. There are many leafy greens which have Vitamin A as their component. This is a reason why you should be careful what you consume in your diet.

Have tea or coffee with meals

You should drink tea or coffee with your meals because they can reduce absorption of iron. It is known that these beverages have tannins which can inhibit the absorption of non – heme iron. It is not recommended for people who suffer from liver damage to consume excessive amounts of tannins.

Cordyceps mushroom for hemochromatosis

This is an adaptogen herb. It can protect the liver and it can improve the quality of your blood. This is a reason why you can add it as your home remedy for hemochromatosis.

References:

[1] McLaren GD, Gordeuk VR. Hereditary hemochromatosis: insights from the Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study. Hematology-American Society of Hematology Education Program. 2009.

[2] Habtemariam S. The therapeutic potential of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) diterpenes for Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;2016:2680409.

[3] Scotet V, Merour MC, Mercier AY, et al. Hereditary hemochromatosis: Effect of excessive alcohol consumption on disease expression in patients homozygous for the C282Y mutation. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2003;158(2):129-34.

[4] Ahmed H, Aslam M. Effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) on hematological
parameters in Wistar rats. International Journal of Medical Research &
Health Sciences. 2018;7(3):151-7.

[5] Barton JC, Lee PL, West C, Bottomley SS. Iron overload and prolonged ingestion of iron supplements: Clinical features and mutation analysis of hemochromatosis-associated genes in four cases. American Journal of Hematology. 2006;81:760–7.

[6] Zhuang W, Yue L, Dang X, et al. Rosenroot (Rhodiola): Potential applications in aging-related diseases. Aging and Disease. 2019;10(1):134–46.

[7] Gao J, Chen J, Kramer M, et al. Interaction of the hereditary hemochromatosis protein, HFE, with transferrin receptor 2 is required for transferrin-induced hepcidin expression. Cell Metabolism. 2009;9(3):217–27.

[8] Badria FA, Ibrahim AS, Badria AF, Elmarakby AA. Curcumin attenuates iron accumulation and oxidative stress in the liver and spleen of chronic iron-overloaded rats. PLoS One. 2015;10(7):e0134156.

[9] Wageningen UR. Dietary advice for HFE-hemochromatosis patients.