https://www.livestrong.com/article/13729834-iron-fish-for-cooking/
Can Cooking With Iron Fish Really Help You Get More Iron?
By Tiffany AyudaSep 24, 2022
Iron ingots like Lucky Iron Fish claim to infuse your food with iron to help with nutritional deficiencies.
In This Article
Iron Levels
Does Iron Fish Work?
Drawbacks
Summary
Like a boat carrying supplies to shore, iron is an important mineral whose main purpose is to deliver oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the body. But it isn't always easy to absorb iron in the body — especially if the iron comes from plant foods, says Ella Davar, RD, a holistic dietitian based in New York.
Iron comes in two forms: heme and non-heme, per the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Heme is found only in animal flesh like meat, poultry and seafood, while non-heme is found in plant foods, like whole grains, nuts, seeds legumes and leafy greens," Davar explains. "Heme iron is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron, but vitamin C can improve the absorption of non-heme iron."
Because of this, vegetarians and vegans are more likely to be deficient in iron, but iron deficiencies are also common among young children, pregnant people and folks of childbearing age, per an August 2015 review in the Lancet.
Because of this, vegetarians and vegans are more likely to be deficient in iron, but iron deficiencies are also common among young children, pregnant people and folks of childbearing age, per an August 2015 review in the Lancet.
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During pregnancy, people need almost double the amount of iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to the baby. When you don't have iron in your nutrient stores, or don't get enough of it throughout your pregnancy, you may develop a deficiency, per the Mayo Clinic.
People with certain chronic diseases, including anemia, kidney disease, chronic heart failure, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease are also more likely to have iron deficiency.
Nutrition
Cooking and Baking
Cooking Utensils
Can Cooking With Iron Fish Really Help You Get More Iron?
By Tiffany AyudaSep 24, 2022
Livestrong.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Iron ingots like Lucky Iron Fish claim to infuse your food with iron to help with nutritional deficiencies.
Image Credit: Lucky Iron Fish/Facebook
In This Article
Iron Levels
Does Iron Fish Work?
Drawbacks
Summary
Like a boat carrying supplies to shore, iron is an important mineral whose main purpose is to deliver oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the body. But it isn't always easy to absorb iron in the body — especially if the iron comes from plant foods, says Ella Davar, RD, a holistic dietitian based in New York.
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Iron comes in two forms: heme and non-heme, per the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Heme is found only in animal flesh like meat, poultry and seafood, while non-heme is found in plant foods, like whole grains, nuts, seeds legumes and leafy greens," Davar explains. "Heme iron is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron, but vitamin C can improve the absorption of non-heme iron."
Nutrition
Cooking and Baking
Cooking Utensils
Can Cooking With Iron Fish Really Help You Get More Iron?
By Tiffany AyudaSep 24, 2022
Livestrong.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Iron ingots like Lucky Iron Fish claim to infuse your food with iron to help with nutritional deficiencies.
Image Credit: Lucky Iron Fish/Facebook
In This Article
Iron Levels
Does Iron Fish Work?
Drawbacks
Summary
Like a boat carrying supplies to shore, iron is an important mineral whose main purpose is to deliver oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the body. But it isn't always easy to absorb iron in the body — especially if the iron comes from plant foods, says Ella Davar, RD, a holistic dietitian based in New York.
ADVERTISEMENT
Iron comes in two forms: heme and non-heme, per the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Heme is found only in animal flesh like meat, poultry and seafood, while non-heme is found in plant foods, like whole grains, nuts, seeds legumes and leafy greens," Davar explains. "Heme iron is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron, but vitamin C can improve the absorption of non-heme iron."