A patient with low hemoglobin is anemic. Which food would be best to include to increase iron intake?

A patient with low hemoglobin is anemic. Which food would be best to include to increase iron intake?

• A. Tofu
• B. Spinach
• C. Beef liver
• D. Fortified cereals

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that iron from animal sources in the heme form is absorbed much more efficiently than iron from plants. In iron-deficiency anemia you want iron that your body can use readily, and beef liver provides a very high amount of heme iron, which is absorbed readily and helps raise hemoglobin more effectively than the other options. The other foods listed contain non-heme iron, which the body doesn’t absorb as well. Tofu, spinach, and fortified cereals can contribute iron, but their absorption is slower and can be hindered by factors in plant foods (like oxalates in spinach). If you were trying to maximize iron intake quickly, beef liver is the best choice.

The key idea here is that iron from animal sources in the heme form is absorbed much more efficiently than iron from plants. In iron-deficiency anemia you want iron that your body can use readily, and beef liver provides a very high amount of heme iron, which is absorbed readily and helps raise hemoglobin more effectively than the other options.

The other foods listed contain non-heme iron, which the body doesn’t absorb as well. Tofu, spinach, and fortified cereals can contribute iron, but their absorption is slower and can be hindered by factors in plant foods (like oxalates in spinach). If you were trying to maximize iron intake quickly, beef liver is the best choice.