Ep #122 | What You Need to Know About Iron Levels and Supplements with Amber Lynn Vitale
I am joined today by Amber Lynn Vitale to talk about the role that certain nutrients play in women’s bodies. We especially dive into how to treat iron deficiencies during our reproductive years, pregnancy and beyond. Iron supplements have a terrible reputation since some of them can cause constipation and other uncomfortable symptoms. Listen to today’s episode and find what the best ways and times are to consume iron either through your food choices or supplements.
Amber Lynn Vitale, CN, is a Certified Nutritionist in Integrative Nutrition and an Ayurvedic Clinical Consultant. Since early childhood, she has been fascinated with the power of foods, herbs, and dietary supplements to optimize health and, after earning a B.A. in Economics and Russian, she went on to pursue this passion. Since 1996 she has both worked in product retail, and maintained her own wellness practice, often working with doctors and holistic/integrative medical professionals promoting optimum health inside and out. Since 2010 she has reached a wider audience as a freelance content producer for several natural health publications, educating retailers and consumers alike on what quality really means in both foods and supplements. Amber has been a member of the Garden of Life Education team since 2014, continuing her mission by Empowering Extraordinary Health!
Here are the main topics of a conversation that will certainly continue on another episode:
- The Ayurveda approach with pregnant women.
- Why can a pregnant woman suffer from nutritional deficiencies?
- How can you test for iron deficiencies?
- The best iron options and how to consume them.
- Do digestive enzymes help your body better uptake the minerals from the food you are consuming?
- The role of iron for the fetus during pregnancy.
- How to make sure your baby or toddler is receiving enough iron nutrition.
- Adverse effects of low iron levels in babies.
- Recommendations for women during the postpartum stage.
- Why plant iron liquid is the best choice.
- Seasonal approaches to iron supplementation.
Wishing more simplicity and ease in all that you do!
You can connect to this episode on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher by searching The Simplicity Sessions, or visiting www.jennpike.com/podcast.
Learn more about Amber Lynn Vitale :
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I wanted to talk about iron as a supplement. It is difficult to find one that actually increases the level of iron in your body without being hard to digest and cause constipation.
If you have a heavy cycle or you are getting your period often (every 21 to 25 days) this usually doesn’t leave enough time for your system to rebuild. My Kind Organics line from Garden of Life is what I have been using for many years. Garden of Life’s iron is the first and only certified USDA organic, non-GMO verified liquid plant iron, with an amazing cranberry-lime flavor. There is also B6 and B12 added to it, which is very important for women.
Here is my smoothie recipe for the day!
- Fresh brazil nut milk
- Hips of cinnamon and nutmeg
- 1 1/2 scoop of SUNWARRIOR Classic Plus Protein Powder, vanilla flavor. When buying at SUNWARRIOR use the code simplicity2020 and save 10% off your purchase.
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- Some frozen berries
Blend, add some dark chocolate on top and enjoy!
For a dry throat, I can’t emphasize enough how I adore the Stop It Cold Throat Spray from Saint Francis Herb Farm. This is my choice every time I feel I overused my voice and it is always marvelous! Create a more simple life with Saint Francis Herb Farm products. You can purchase Saint Francis Herb Farm’s products online using the code Jennpike15 and save 15% off all of your purchases or directly in your closest Health Food Store.
Finally, I wanted to share a new use I have been giving to my Nourish Oil from Skin Essence Organics, I massage it on my cuticles and push them back every single night before I go to bed. You should try it too for some TLC to your nails before ending the day! While shopping at Skin Essence enter the code jennpike20 in your first order for 20% OFF your purchase and jennpike15 for 15% OFF in all your following orders. www.skinessence.ca — Canada www.skinessenceorganics.com — USA and International.
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Quotes:
“If you are ever going to take a risk, take it on yourself.”
“To absorb iron from the food you are eating you have to have a healthy digestion and microbiome.”
“Humans need a certain amount of iron in order to fight infections.”
“Bad bacteria or excess of yeast can cause constipation or diarrhea.”
“Iron is the backbone for producing energy.”
“Iron plays an important role in producing DNA.”
“If you can absorb the iron through your digestive tract you won’t be constipated.”
Additional Information About Jenn:
Jenn studied and graduated with honors in Human Anatomy and Physiology with such a passion that it propelled her to continue her education over many years. Jenn is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Exercise Specialist, Registered Yoga Instructor and Faculty of the Toronto Yoga Conference, Pre & Post Natal Yoga Expert, STOTT Pilates trained instructor, Twist Sport Conditioning Coach, Spin Instructor Crossfit Level 1 Coaching, among other certifications she got along the way. She is also a guest Holistic Expert for Breakfast Television, Global, CHCH, Rogers Tv and writes columns for STRONG Fitness Magazine, iRun magazine, Savvy Mom and contributes to Inside Fitness Magazine, The Toronto Star and Sun. She is also a proud educator and ambassador to Genuine Health, Nature’s Emporium, and Juice Plus.
Jenn is a proud mama to two beautiful souls and her best teachers of life. She resides on Lake Simcoe in Keswick with her husband and two children.