Iron supplements are toxic on the long term, so what to eat to raise iron in blood?

Spinach, dark chocolate, grass-fed beef are some great sources that I eat and sit well with my gut.

Also, lactoferrin increases iron absorption so you might want to look into that. It is found naturally in cultured or raw dairy like yogurt, milk, kefir, etc.

You could also supplement with it, as there are some good formulations available online.

Article on lactoferrin and its role in iron utilization and absorption here

Best.

Thanks guy, always nice to read all your advice!

Yes I checked with a blood test and I have a too low iron level.

Vitamin C seems to improve iron absorption too, I've just read this.

The usuals. Dark leafy greens. Beans. Red meat. Apparently parsley has a ton of iron.

But surprisingly I've read beet juice can help anemia in a huge way. I'm assuming you can either juice it or just eat the vegetable.

My ferritin level was close to 0 after a very bloody 9 month flare. Tried iron supplements (65mg elemental enteric coated) and had stomach pains regardless of what I ate with it to help digest it. So stopped after two weeks. Instead: Drank green juice (spinach) also beet juice (both with carrot juice to taste better). Post flare (thanks to remicade) expanded what I could eat (still no beef, dairy or beans unfortunately) but eventually ferritin level rose close to normal. I hope it gets better for you too - may take several months though.

Thank you all for your help.

Maybe I should have been more precise in my OP, I do know foods that contain iron (lists are available everywhere :) ). I was just asking for your trick and tips to deal with iron loss.

The tip of ewafromwarsaw is great, I will add a lemon juice when eating a food containing iron to maximize its absorption, never thought of this.

Yeah here in France we always associate american people with hamburgers and cocacola :)
But no worries, we also associate you with good things (I dont have examples right now lol)

Yes lemon juice has to be absorbed right away after juicing it, or it will oxydate and vitamins will burn. So I'll press it right away after having eaten my meat.

My nurse told me that Blackstrap Molasses are an amazing source of iron, much better than ferrous sulphate.

I had no idea that iron supplements were toxic in the long-term though? I thought that of all my medications that was the one I had to worry about the least...

Can't say I'm too keen on the taste of molasses, but yes they're meant to do wonders for your iron levels. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/449516-iron-deficiency-and-blackstrap-molasses/)

However I've also heard that they're a natural stool softener, so be careful if you're flaring.

Vitamin C seems to improve iron absorption too, I've just read this.

I drink a tall glass of water with half a lemon squeezed into it. Be sure to drink some plain water after that! Some people say it hurts the enamel.

Molasse seems to be a concentrated from sugar... So that's not good for us guys..

If it's the good kind, it's from sugar cane which does not have the same properties as white sugar. I read a supposed fact that cane sugar is composed the same as regular white sugar. But unfortunately, that is incorrect, cane sugar does not contain bone char (ground up bones of cattle) if you get it from proper sources.

Jean Claude,

Sugar is what athletes need to replenish glycogen stores, which gets depleted during strenuous exercise. Gatorade, coconut water and dextrose IV are used to provide fast hydration for these kind of situations.

I think sugar has its uses and could even be beneficial for UC in supplying the colon with energy (glucose), but it's harmful for sedentary people.

Fructose and high fructose corn syrup are problematic for many people, so I can see the need to avoid it.

Anyways, that's just my take on it. I find that as my exercise levels go up, I absolutely need to load up on carbohydrates and some sugars to replenish the muscles.