Hemochromatosis Help

07/06/2025

The synergy between quercetin and resveratrol is a fascinating area of ongoing research, with evidence suggesting these two compounds can interact in ways that enhance their individual benefits. While the exact mechanisms are still being worked out, several potential synergistic effects have been observed...

Enhanced Antioxidant Activity:

Studies indicate that combining these polyphenols can lead to a greater overall antioxidant effect than the sum of their individual activities. This enhanced free radical scavenging may offer more robust protection against oxidative stress-related damage in the body.

Complementary Anti-inflammatory Actions:

Each compound targets different aspects of the inflammatory cascade. Quercetin can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, while resveratrol can also modulate inflammatory pathways, potentially through different mechanisms like influencing gene expression or specific signaling molecules. Using them together might provide a more comprehensive approach to managing inflammation.

Improved Bioavailability and Cellular Uptake:

There's some evidence suggesting that quercetin might enhance the absorption and cellular uptake of resveratrol. This improved delivery and utilization could amplify their combined effects.

This exciting evidence suggests that these naturally occurring compounds may indeed work in concert to promote overall well-being!

05/06/2025

Resveratrol, famously coming from red wine, is also found in richly-colored berries and dark chocolate. It is considered one of nature’s most powerful polyphenols and is a well renowned nutrient demonstrating a wide range of support to our overall health.

Resveratrol possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and is known to positively modulate healthy gene expression, including the genes associated with longevity and a healthy life span.

Resveratrol has its own impressive list of research demonstrating its benefits to iron overload.

One study concluded that “resveratrol treatment directly protects the liver from iron-mediated injury...Our findings illustrate a novel and definitive therapeutic action of resveratrol and represent an economically feasible therapeutic intervention to treat hepatic iron-overload and liver disease." Liver Int. 2016 Feb;36(2):246-57.

Similarly, resveratrol is also protective to the heart and cardiovascular system that has been negatively affected by excess iron levels. “Resveratrol represents a clinically and economically feasible therapeutic intervention to reduce the global burden from iron-overload cardiomyopathy at early and chronic stages of iron-overload.” Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 7;5:18132.

To see more of the clinical research on this powerful nutrient and how it may benefit those with iron overload, check out our website article entitled: Resveratrol Benefits for Hemochromatosis

30/05/2025

Quercetin, a colorful bioflavonoid antioxidant found in many nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, is considered the most extensively studied flavonoid, with an impressive list of benefits to health associated with it!

This super antioxidant is found in plant foods and is especially high in red onions and apples.

Studies have shown it may play an important role in fighting free-radical damage, reducing inflammation, fighting allergies, supporting heart health, and protecting liver health.

Quercetin is also considered a natural iron-chelating nutrient, which means quercetin may lower ferritin by removing iron from the body.

For a person with hemochromatosis, the powerful health-promoting nutrient quercetin may help reduce elevated levels of iron!

For more info on this fascinating nutrient, check out the article on our educational website, HemochromatosisHelp.com: Quercetin Benefits for Hemochromatosis.

13/04/2025

Turmeric: Nature’s Best Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric is a beautiful, flavorful, commonly used spice in cooking. Renowned for centuries with a rich, historical use in plant and herbal medicine, turmeric has long been held in high regard for its beneficial effects.

In general, turmeric and its active constituent, curcumin, have been shown to be an excellent anti-inflammatory supplement.

Inflammation is a widespread root cause of illness, suspected as a precipitating factor in a host of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, hormonal imbalance… and, of course, hemochromatosis!

Inflammation can contribute to pain and fatigue, the primary hemochromatosis symptoms we all seem to suffer from.

A reduction in pain and fatigue alone would make the benefits of turmeric and curcumin worth exploring.

But to also reduce the storage of too much iron?!?

This is why I found myself doubly excited to learn of the medicinal benefits of turmeric.

As if the reduction of excess iron, inflammation, and pain weren’t enough, a host of other properties have been attributed to turmeric supplements.

Among the most famous are:

Antioxidant effects
Immune supporter
Energy production (healthy metabolism)
Cognitive function enhancer
Hormone balancer
Promoter of restful sleep

When I found a remedy that is generally considered safe that also possesses so many beneficial properties, you can see why I’m so excited by the turmeric benefit to our health!

From the article on our website: Turmeric Benefits for Hemochromatosis

19/03/2025

Nearly all individuals with high iron will experience some degree of joint, muscle, or body pain at some point if their levels aren’t well controlled.

In fact, this was my first clue when I first suspected I might have iron overload. I began to have knee pain without any injuries or overuse. Both of my knees progressively became painful, stiff, and sore. What’s more, I was only in my 30’s when these symptoms began to occur…

I’m not alone, as generally speaking one of the most prominent hemochromatosis symptoms is pain.

These painful symptoms of hemochromatosis range from mild to severe and can occur daily or periodically. Going beyond general body aches and pains, chronic iron overload may progress and damage the joints leading to arthritis.

Lots more in our new article on site "Arthritis & Hemochromatosis"

26/01/2025

Benefits of Lab Testing in Hemochromatosis

Awareness is essential for iron overload. Hundreds of thousands of people carry the genetics associated with hereditary hemochromatosis, yet many have no idea.

Some estimates show 1 in 9 people of Northern European descent is a carrier of the genetic mutation that can cause this disease. Entire families may be impacted without their knowledge!

For something so common, one might think that everyone would have heard of this condition. You might assume it would be part of routine blood testing done by physicians, and that people with the disease would have a vast support network and understanding by their doctors, friends, and community.

Unfortunately, hemochromatosis is frequently misdiagnosed by doctors, or not diagnosed at all, resulting in people suffering unnecessarily, feeling alone in their deteriorating health.

Many times their friends and family members have never even heard of the condition, leading to feelings of being an outsider with a strange condition no one can pronounce.

The Top Two Reasons for Doing Lab Tests for Iron Overload

Laboratory testing is beneficial in two main ways.

First, it helps in the discovery and diagnosis of the condition.

Second, it’s critical in the monitoring and follow-up necessary to see how well iron levels are controlled.

21/01/2025

If you would like to learn more about iron metabolism, and what goes wrong in hemochromatosis, you'll want to read this (fairly technical) overview of iron overload on our site:

Iron overload most commonly results from having one or two copies of the hemochromatosis gene. Excess accumulation of iron in the cells, tissues, and organs characterizes the iron storage disorders.

07/12/2024

**Free Guide! The Top 9 Mistakes Hemochromatosis Patients Make**

https://hemochromatosishelp.com/guide/

After working with thousands of hemochromatosis patients over the past 10 years we have seen these mistakes over and over again including:​

- Why relying too much on "Dr. Google" about hemochromatosis is one of the last things we recommend...

- Why when your doctor says “phlebotomy is the only thing you can do” they may not be completely correct...

- The real importance of diet and supplementation for those with hemochromatosis -- but, at the same time, why you shouldn't obsess over your diet...

- Why you shouldn't worry that all the horrible symptoms you read about will happen to you...

** Because fortunately there is so much help available and we are here for you!!

Sign-up today for this one-of-a-kind guide with actionable tips to assist you on your journey with hemochromatosis!

Bonus:

You will also receive regular newsletter articles on:

* The problems of having high iron

* How to think about diet, nutrition, and food with hemochromatosis

* Evidence-based holistic & natural solutions

* Supplements to help improve your health

*Plus: Delicious, iron-friendly recipes

And more!

10/10/2024

For our newest readers, or for those who may not know about the location of our office, Hemochromatosis Help (also home to our naturopathic practice Lewis Family Natural Health) is in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina... in the region most harshly devastated by Hurricane Helene.

To all of the many individuals who have reached out to ask us how we are doing, please know that we are fine, our family and friends are healthy, our home and our office are both in great shape and we deeply appreciate your sweet and kind messages.

We are extremely fortunate, yet we know not everyone in our area can say the same thing.

Over the last 2 weeks, we have been trying to piece together ways to stay safe, stay healthy, and to help our family, friends, neighbors, and community here in Western North Carolina.

By now, I am sure you have seen the devastation to our region, so we don't want to beleaguer this point and we want to instead focus on the power and the beauty of the human spirit that we have seen in abundance in the last week here in Asheville.

We have been overwhelmed by the selfless generosity of countless individuals, putting their own regular needs aside for the greater good. Like many others, we have actually traveled to cities that are near enough to get supplies to bring back home, but far enough to have missed the storm.

Personally, we have family in Charlotte and so we have made grocery, water, and supply runs back and forth. What has warmed our hearts to no end, is seeing literally hundreds of vehicles and trucks bringing water, supplies, necessities, and even generators to those in need.

It has been remarkable to see the number of electrical trucks, tree trucks, all the way up to military vehicles... all rushing as fast as they can to get to Asheville.

National Guard members, military troops, law enforcement agents, and private individuals alike have all come with one job in mind - to help in any way they can.

Fortunately, many things are already on the mend.

However, recovery will take months if not years to heal the areas most impacted.

The mission of Hemochromatosis Help has always been first and foremost to help those of you with hemochromatosis and iron overload. That's why we have written countless articles, books, informational materials, a video course, and more in how to help lower your high iron.

We promise we will be back to creating content soon, however, in the meantime our primary focus has to be on delivering help back home, so we thank you for your patience.

If you are a reader, hang tight just a little bit because we have a lot of great content coming up discussing the impacts of high iron and hemochromatosis on arthritis and joint pain... you won't want to miss it!

If you enjoy and benefit from using our supplements, fear not! Our inventory of all of our natural remedies for hemochromatosis is fully stocked and we are able to fulfill your orders with no problems - we appreciate your support!

Thank you so much for being on this journey with us!

In health,
Drs. Eric and Kristina Lewis

03/01/2024

Following up on our last post, we have a great breakdown on the 2 primary types of iron to look out for in the diet: heme vs. non-heme iron

How should we think about heme vs non-heme iron in foods when making dietary choices in iron overload? It is crucial to know what foods have iron in them.

15/11/2023

A great starting point for understanding how to eat a healthy and delicious diet when you have iron overload:

The healthiest hemochromatosis diet should lower foods high in iron and be delicious, nutritious, and fun! There are many reasons why a diet helpful for hemochromatosis should not be too restrictive.

18/10/2023

What are the genetics of Hereditary Hemochromatosis?

Type 1 hereditary hemochromatosis results from a genetic variation to the HFE gene on chromosome 6 and usually involves the C282Y and/or H63D allele(s).

Link here:

Type 1 hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic condition in which people absorb too much iron from their diet. Learn more about the causes and treatment.