"Dietary phytate, rather than fiber per se, might be the most important variable governing the frequency of colonic cancer," as we know phytate is "a powerful inhibitor of [the] iron-mediated production of hydroxyl radical[s], a particularly dangerous" type of free radical. So, the Standard American Diet may be a double whammy — he heme iron in muscle meat, plus the lack of phytate in refined plant foods to extinguish those iron radicals.

A little leaching metal can be a good thing in the case of straight iron, like a cast iron skillet, which can have the beneficial effect of helping to improve iron status, helping to potentially reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anemia among reproductive-age women and children. The only caveat is that you don't want to be frying in cast iron. Frying isn't healthy regardless, but at hot temperatures, vegetable oil can react with the iron to create trans fats.

"Heme iron, on the other hand — the iron found in blood and muscle — acts as a pro-oxidant and appears to increase the risk of diabetes, whereas plant-based, non-heme iron appeared safe. Same thing with heart disease: animal-based iron was found to significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease, our #1 killer, but not plant-based iron. The Mediterranean diet is protective compared to the Standard American Diet — no question. But any diet rich in whole plant foods and low in animal fat consumption could be expected to confer protection against many of our leading killers."

Dr Klaper shares with us about iron deficiency in both men and women. He describes the potential causes for low iron and how to correct eating a plant based diet. Symptoms of anemia can indicate a small imbalance in diet or a serious condition. He emphasizes that it is important to diagnose the underlying cause of low ferritin levels.

Dr Klaper answers questions about what to do if you have low iron levels (iron deficiency anemia). Are supplements a good idea? Not so fast. It's vitally important to find out if there is any form of bleeding first. Be sure to have the right amount of iron, in the right form, as too much can create oxidative stress on the body. He discusses possible causes for low iron levels, heme iron, best sources for dietary iron, and absorption.

Dr. Klaper shares how to safely increase iron in your diet without eating animal products. He emphasizes that the plant-based source of iron is as important as maintaining the correct nutritional levels. Vitamin C helps increase iron absorption up to 6 times.