Hemochromatosis is a leading cause of iron overload and one of modern medicine's greatest oversights. Classic hemochromatosis, the most common type, is an inherited metabolic iron disorder that affects 1 in 250 Americans. For people with metabolic iron disorders, controlling the intake and absorption of iron contributes to wellness and the prevention of such chronic ailments as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, impotence, and depression.
The Hemochromatosis Cookbook is written specifically for those who suffer from such iron disorders. It has chapters on all of the traditional categories found in most cookbooks: appetizers, salads, fruits and vegetables, main courses and casseroles, breads and muffins, and desserts. In addition, The Hemochromatosis Cookbook offers:
• Easy-to-prepare, reasonably priced recipes that impede the body's absorption of iron
• Food values and tips suggesting substitutions for reduced fat, sodium, and sugar
• Helpful menu planning for busy schedules
Simple menu planners for a typical week and blank worksheets to aid in tracking one's iron intake
• A shopping checklist with reminders about iron content
• A chart showing the iron contents of common foods and vitamin supplements
• A general explanation of iron imbalances, such as hereditary hemochromatosis,
acquired iron overload, anemia, and iron avidity
• Helpful information for hemochromatosis patients with diabetes
Portions of The Hemochromatosis Cookbook were published in an earlier cookbook, Cooking with Less Iron.
Cheryl Garrison is an artist, writer, and cofounder and vice president of educational product development of the Iron Disorders Institute, an all-voluntary health agency that addresses the health consequences of iron imbalances. The editor of IDI's publications, read worldwide by physicians and patients alike, she lives in Clyde, North Carolina.
