Cooking with Cast Iron and it’s Effect on Iron Deficient Anemia (Video)

Check out this video on the health benefits of cooking with cast iron.

For those who prefer the written word, here is a transcript:

I am a huge fan of cast iron cookware.  In my opinion is a far superior cooking utensil compared to common pots and pans and it  also has some evidence backed health benefits.  It is so versatile...you can use it over a campfire, on a grill, in the oven, and on the stovetop, and it makes some of the best artisan sourdough a baker could ask for.

If you don’t know too much about iron deficiencies, it is the most common form of nutritional deficiency and Iron deficiency itself is the leading cause of anemia. Iron is a critical mineral needed to produce hemoglobin, which the body used to carry oxygen from the lungs and myoglobin, which the body used to provide oxygen to the muscles. In US, about 10 million people are iron deficient and  about 5 million of those are iron deficient anemic Anemia is highest amongst children and women of child-bearing age and common causes in the US are Blood loss, pregnancy, and malabsorption of iron from the diet. Some signs can be Poor mental performance, cold intolerance, fatigue, exercise induced dyspnea (which can be that coughing and difficulty breathing that happens after short bouts of intense exercise), and there is even some evidence that is linked to restless leg syndrome. Iron levels are diagnosed through blood tests, so be sure to be getting your regular blood work done through your doctor. If you would like more information on anemia, there is some good information on Women’s Health.gov and the CDC website.

When it comes to the Health Benefits of Cooking with Cast Iron: Aside from being an Excellent defensive weapon, well seasoned cast iron skillets needs much less oil for cooking than does a standard skillet. You have significantly less exposure to chemicals from non-stick surfaces - and cast iron is essentially nonstick when its been properly seasoned. Most importantly for your health, regular cooking with cast iron adds iron to your food - a meta-analysis by Geerligs, Brabin, and Omari found that cast iron increases hemoglobin concentrations in deficient individuals and even recommend it as an intervention in countries where malaria and hookworm, other common causes of anemia outside of the US, are prevalent.

So, get on Craigslist or go to some antique stores or garage sales, and buy yourself a cast iron skillet.  I promise, you won’t regret it.