Iron and Vegetarian Diets

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-4-2012

Abstract

© 2014, Australasian Medical Publishing Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Vegetarians who eat a varied and well balanced diet are not at any greater risk of iron deficiency anaemia than non-vegetarians. A diet rich in wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, iron-fortified cereals and green leafy vegetables provides an adequate iron intake. Vitamin C and other organic acids enhance non-haem iron absorption, a process that is carefully regulated by the gut. People with low iron stores or higher physiological need for iron will tend to absorb more iron and excrete less. Research to date on iron absorption has not been designed to accurately measure absorption rates in typical Western vegetarians with low ferritin levels.

Journal Title

Medical Journal of Australia

Volume

199

Issue

4

First Page

11

Last Page

16

DOI

10.5694/mjao11.11494

First Department

Population Health, Nutrition & Wellness

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