The Potential Hidden Danger in Your Cereal: Iron

My Diet Matters

We all know iron is something we need to stay healthy and prevent anemia. But did you know that too much dietary iron can hurt your health? When choosing a cereal, most people grab what tastes good. If they are health conscious, fiber rich cereals might be chosen. Or, a cereal low in sugar and calories might be selected. But, savvy health conscious consumers should also be thinking about iron in cereal.

One of the main problems with iron fortification is that the cereal is fortified for the part of the population that needs the most iron. That part of the population is women of childbearing age. So, listen up adult males and older women: you, in particular, need to be mindful of the iron content of your favorite breakfast cereal.

Check the Nutrition Fact Label for iron in your cereal

iron in your cereal

When looking at a Nutrition Fact Label, note the percentage of DV iron. Looking at the above label, if a young female of child-bearing age has a 3/4 cup serving of Wheat Chex, she will be consuming 80% of her iron requirements (or about 14 mg of iron). However, if an adult male or older woman eats 3/4 cup of the above cereal, he/she will be consuming almost double the iron recommendation of 8 mg of iron. The fact that so much of our food supply is fortified with iron increases the risk of getting too much.

Problems resulting from too much iron in your cereal

Constipation

Aside from being unpleasant, this is not healthy for your body. Any toxins or food pathogens present in your food will linger in your gastrointestinal tract. And, this will potentially threaten your overall health. There is also scientific evidence that constipation can be a risk factor for colorectal cancer. In addition to avoiding excess iron, increasing your dietary fiber along with fluid can help correct constipation.

Possible accelerated aging

Researchers recently pointed this out in worms, and will likely try to evaluate if this applies to aging in humans. In the interim, we already know that iron causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in humans is thought to be involved in the development of diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Iron overload concerns

Healthy people make a hormone, hepcidin, which swings into action to prevent too much iron from being absorbed. However, in a now common genetic condition called iron overload (or technically Hemochromatosis), the body is unable to put the brakes on iron absorption and iron begins to build up in the tissues. Early symptoms are varied and include fatigue, abdominal pain, and increased infections. Later symptoms include liver failure and heart failure, bone damage, and diabetes.

For those who have yet to be diagnosed with iron overload, choosing a cereal with generous iron is particularly problematic. Healthy males and older women should read the cereal Nutrition Fact Label to make the best choice for iron intake. Chances are your cereal has too much iron, so buyer beware. Here is a bit more on iron in popular cereals along with iron requirements.

Take away

This excess iron fortification can have serious health implications ranging from constipation, increased cancer risk, and iron overload. Since iron requirements vary by gender and age, choose your fortified cereals carefully! Do you have a favorite low iron cereal?

Sue Rose, MS, RD, LDN

Sue Rose helps readers sort through the maze of nutrition information available to the public. As a seasoned clinical dietitian/nutritionist with decades of experience, her blogs attempt to educate and inform the public at a time when there is so much information it is often overwhelming to understand. Stay tuned for clarity on a variety of topics!

Disclaimer

Use this information at your own risk. Although I am a licensed IL dietitian/nutritionist, I am not your dietitian. The information in my blog Chew on This located at www.mydietmatters.com is for educational and informational purposes only. It is also my own opinion and subject to change in the future. Please consult with your own medical professionals for individual treatment.