Lifestyle Strategies to Boost Total Body Iron

Abstract

Patients who switch to a whole food plant-based eating pattern (WFPBD) generally have an uneventful transition, but may present with dizziness and lightheadedness. Research demonstrates that anemia is no more common when transitioning to a WFPBD than in the normal population, but Iron deficiency is possible in the context of a transition to a whole food plant-based diet resulting in either microcytic or normocytic anemia. All six pillars of lifestyle medicine; diet, activity, sleep, stress, social engagement, and risky substances, can affect absorption of Iron and are discussed. This paper discusses how the use of lifestyle modifications can potentiate iron supplementation, or replace the need for it altogether, to reverse anemia.

Keywords: Iron, transferrin; activity; normocytic anemia; sleep, social cohesion; stress management; whole food plant-based diet.