Hemochromatosis: Therapy

General measures

Bloodletting for primary hemochromatosis – initially 1-2 times per week; later depends on ferritin level (target < 50 μg/l); then individually (2-10 times per year – regularly – for life)Contraindications: anemia (anemia), congestive heart failure (heart failure)

Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
Nutritional recommendations according to a healthy mixed diet, taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
- A total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits daily (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits).
- Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
- High-fiber diet (whole grain products).
Observance of the following special dietary recommendations:
- Adherence to a low-iron diet. The following foods are particularly high in iron:
  - Cereals – whole grain bread, edible bran, green spelt, oatmeal, crispbread, millet.
  - Legumes – peas, white beans, lima beans, soybeans, chickpeas, lentils.
  - Vegetables and salads – salsify, spinach.
  - Meat – pork tenderloin, pork liver
  - Fish – oysters
- Black tea, drunk with meals, decreases iron absorption (iron absorption) from food.
- Intake of vitamin C should be limited to 500 mg/day; foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice, drunk with meals, improve iron absorption from food and, consequently, should be consumed at some distance from meals.
Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis.
See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – your doctor will be happy to recommend a suitable dietary supplement.
Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.