The final nutrient in our nutrients under the microscope is iron.

Iron-deficiency anaemia is quite common in women with Endometriosis, especially if you experience heavy and or long bleeding.

There is a vicious cycle between anaemia and heavy and/or long bleeding: heavy/long bleeding leads to high iron loss, and low iron levels contribute to heavier bleeding.

The best way to find out if you are anaemic is to have a blood test.

If you are anaemic, taking a supplement is important, but equally important is choosing the right supplement, dose and adjusting your diet to ensure maximum absorption.

There are two types of supplements: ferrous iron, which is better absorbed in the body, and ferric iron which is less well absorbed.

Iron supplements can have side-effects such as constipation and nausea, especially when the dose is more that 45mg per day. If you already experience these symptoms as part of your Endometriosis, start with a lower dose and allow your body to take longer to get to healthy levels.

Finally, some nutrients compete with iron absorption and some assist with it.

Avoid taking the supplement with a meal that contains calcium. Foods high in calcium are dairy, broccoli, almonds and fish like salmon and sardines with bones in. The phytates in legumes, whole grains and rice and the polyphenols in coffee, tea, oregano, and red wine also reduce absorption so supplements should not be taken with a meal that contains any of these.

To increase absorption, take the supplement with a meal that contains vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to keep the iron in its ferrous form, which is easier to absorb.

When you start taking a supplement it is important to get tested regularly to avoid iron toxicity, which can happen with high doses supplementation. Unfortunately, the symptoms of iron toxicity are very similar to those of deficiency, so only a regular blood test can tell you you’re in the safe range.

I'd love to help you decide if diet would be the right approach for you to manage your Endometriosis. Book a free 30-minute Endometriosis SOS call now.