Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow

Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Diet

People with hemochromatosis are encouraged to consume a balanced diet. However, there are certain important precautions that warrant mentioning.

• A large alcohol intake (for example, 60gram of alcohol or four glasses of wine or beer daily) was shown to increase the risk of liver cirrhosis by nine fold in patients with hemochromatosis. Alcohol can also promote the absorption of iron from the intestines, resulting in further iron overload. Occasional social drinking, however, may not add any further risk in patients with hemochromatosis.
  
  
• Ingestion of large doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may lead to increased iron uptake. Therefore, vitamin C supplementation is discouraged in patients with hemochromatosis. It is worth noting that there is no reason to discourage the usual consumption of fruits (citrus) and vegetables containing vitamin C in people with hemochromatosis.
  
  
• Uncooked seafood may induce bacterial infections that thrive in the iron-rich environment, and their ingestion is not recommended in people who have hemochromatosis.