Nurse Teaching on Measures to Improve Iron Absorption in Anemia

Nurse educated the patient/caregiver on measures to improve iron absorption in anemia as follows:

  1. Avoid taking calcium supplements and calcium containing foods along with foods containing iron and iron supplements. Calcium inhibits absorption of iron and avoiding calcium supplements and milk products on the same meal with iron rich foods, can help improved absorption of iron. Observing a gap of 2 hours between consuming food items rich in iron and calcium can help prevent this interaction.
  2. Iron needs acidic environment, to get absorbed in the small intestine. Gastric acid secreted in the stomach maintains the needed acidic environment for iron absorption. Any medications that can interfere with acid production and function, such as, antacids, can alter the acid environment needed and taken just before or at the same time with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can inhibit iron absorption. Avoiding intake of antacids immediately before or at the same time with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can help improved absorption of iron.
  3. Nuts, such as, almonds, pecans, and walnuts and legumes, such as, peas, black beans, and kidney beans contain compounds (phytates and tannins) that limit absorption of iron. Avoiding intake of these food items on the same meal with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can help improved absorption of iron. Also, these compounds inhibiting iron absorption are water soluble and so, soaking the nuts and legumes in water for 2 hours, before eating or cooking them can help with improved iron absorption.
  4. Vitamin C and citric acid can establish the acidic environment in the intestine needed for iron absorption. Intake of vitamin C and citrus fruits or juice, such as, orange juice at the same time with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can help improved absorption of iron.
  5. Avoid taking zinc supplements along with foods containing iron and iron supplements. Zinc competes with iron for the same site for absorption and so, taken at the same time, zinc compromises absorption of iron. Avoiding intake of zinc supplements at the same time with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can help improved absorption of iron. Observing a gap of 2 hours between consuming food items rich in iron and zinc supplements can help prevent this interaction.
  6. Many nuts, black tea, dark chocolate, beans, soy products, and berry fruits contain compounds (polyphenols) that limits absorption of iron. Avoiding intake of these food items on the same meal with iron rich foods and iron supplements, can help improved absorption of iron.
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