janinco

Mark, Didn't get your email... I tried contacting Nigel at Tudor Ironworks but his email keeps bouncing. Jan

I have tried cooking in cast iron and iron utensils would be similar, but I don't absorb iron that I ingest (at least not enough to keep me from being severely anemic). I have looked into DMSO as a carrier, but I have to avoid exposure to sulfur containing compounds. Not many options...at least not many that are worth the risk! Jan

I need to avoid several metals including manganese. But the main problem seems to be a mutation in the gene that regulates iron absorption in the intestines. I can eat 1/2 pound of red meat a day and see no change in my red blood count or serum iron. There are a couple of other complicating factors which I won't go into, but at this point my only choices are transfusions or iron IVs...the last transfusion I had nearly killed me and I have had a relative die from an iron IV so I'm not really eager to experiment. Jan

Thanks for the replies. I wrote a response but it got thrown into the ozone layer somehow so I'll try again. I have communicated with a researcher who says that it is possible to absorb iron through the skin in small amounts. It seems to work best with certain enhancements like an oil as a carrier and that might also slow oxidation. Since sweat contains chlorides I'm assuming the form is probably going to be ferric chloride. It would tend to turn a purple/dark gray color (like copper turns green from chlorides). I don't expect it's going to be a large source of iron, but for me a little is definitely better than nothing. I have seen serious cases of acne clear up after adding iron filters to home water supplies so I know iron affects the skin by providing a medium for bacteria to multiply. I don't want to soak my skin or get too much...our municipal water supply has no iron at all so that's not even a daily source of exposure for me. Since many women are iron deficient, if I see any positive results (which I can easily detect with a hemoglobin meter) it could turn into a viable product for those of us who don't tolerate or absorb oral iron. I thought a thin woven wire might be best since wrought iron is a bit rough. I have a copper bracelet made that way that is easy to get on and off (kind of like a torque). I saw one iron bracelet online made by a blacksmith that was interesting, but I don't need anything quite that fancy: Iron Bracelet

I'm hoping someone here can help me or point me in the right direction. I have a rare anemia from a genetic condition that keeps me from absorbing iron orally, and IV iron is too dangerous because of reactions. I'm trying to find a way to absorb iron and would like to try wearing a pure iron bracelet. In the sports field we use copper bracelets for skin absorption which helps with arthritis, but it's a lot easier to work with and find pure copper. I would need the purest iron available and I'm not looking for anything fancy...just hammered sheet or even woven wire would be fine. Is that possible to do? I know the Sikh tradition had iron bracelets but now it has switched to primarily stainless steel and I can't find any for sale. Thanks for any suggestions - Jan