VFL is growing and my goal was that either I became a vegan by January or I stepped down as admin, unfortunately for me with the stress of moving home and my medical conditions I've become anaemic so it was too ambitious, I only make ethical eating choices but respect how vegans feel so know that this is the best for the group.
So with Veganuary around the corner VFL only has vegan admin vegan volunteers and a vegan star and they're a great crew, so how good is that. And I wish you all well and this is my contribution to Veganuary and my Christmas gift to VFL.
The photo shows how I like Duck...alive and quacking...
Anemia is something that I lived with whilst suffering from my RA. The two go hand-in-hand, so much that as my inflammation and pain disappeared so did the anemia. My doctor had advised me to take iron tablets, which I did when it was very bad. But I only took them for the shortest possible time.
I now view anemia as a signal that something else is wrong. Solve that other health issue and the anemia will go away naturally.
It's a bit like the Vitamin D story. VitD is crucial for good health. However research consistently shows that VitD supplements are associated with poor health outcomes. Whereas access to daily sunshine is always a good thing. The VitD industry sells us the idea that supplements are the solution, whereas they are not.
Iron intake to treat anemia may be a similar story. We all must be careful to not overdose on iron, and that is too easy with supplements. Iron in plant foods is not as bio-available as in animal foods. However I would argue that is a good thing. The iron in animal foods is so easily absorbed that it can cause problems.
My bottom line was that I solved my anemia by ignoring it and addressing my RA head on. Once that was solved my anemia returned to normal - as if by magic. But if I can find it I think I can point to research that shows this association being a very common feature of illness.
Thank you too Andy, unfortunately because it took so long for me to be diagnosed with coeliac gluten also attacked my colon so I have bouts of microscopic colitis which means the individual cells are inflamed and prone to bleeding, stress is a big factor and I normally keep it under control with diet and have been a blood donor, so normally I don't need supplements.
And I agree that we should treat our selves holistically and find the cause not treat the symptom.
Thank you so much Jerry for all your contributions, we will miss you, a highly valued member : > I think with chronic conditions you can get depleted, I have found my self extremely low in Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin B and also been anaemic, also needing top ups in most hormones - so for me I do take supplements, which I know I wouldn't need to if in full health as my diet is better and more varied that most people I know.
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