cast iron and Alzheimer's?

[chewie]

http://www.sailhome.org/Solutions/SayWhat/CastIron.html

my mom seen something like this on tv too. how could that be? I've been using it for years already! anyone else see anything like this?

[simi-steading]

Never seen it associated with iron, but I have seen it associated with aluminum and welding fumes..

[naturelover]

I guess it's possible but it's not something I'm going to worry about because all of the metals and chemicals they talked about there (in cast iron) are found naturally in higher levels in just about everything else that we consume, including in the air and water. I've used cast iron and stainless steel cook ware all my life and will continue to do so. I've always avoided aluminum products because I don't like the way aluminum pits and powders so easily and quickly, that includes not consuming beverages and foods that have been packaged in aluminum. I also won't use any of the non-stick cookware and the plastic or silicon utensils that are used with non-stick cookware. Those plastic utensils will melt and the non-stick material scratches and chips off too easily. I don't want to be eating bits of that stuff. I think it would do more damage to my kidneys and liver than the miniscule amounts of metals that might leach out of cast iron ware.

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[Harry Chickpea]

meh. The fellow may have a degree in physics, but he misses a bunch.

First, iron is an important metal for the body. HEMOglobin, which contains Heme (C 34 H 32 N 4 O 4 Fe) is a major component of blood. (The Fe at the end is iron). Without iron, you wouldn't be able to transport oxygen to your cells.

Second, iron is ingested from multiple sources, including green leafy vegetables and red meats.

Third, cast iron cookware develops a shell or crust of carbonized food particles and oils, so there is very limited contact with the iron unless acid foods break that coating.

[Laura]

I cook with cast iron to keep from being anemic. Several years ago my doctor gave me two weeks to get my iron up or go on shots. Instead of taking the nasty pills, I switched back to using my casst iron. It worked.

I do not own aluminum, or nonstick coated because of the health hazards. I use cast iron, enamel, old made in USA RevereWare, Pyrex, Corning and FireKing.

I wouldn't even use aluminum for a dog dish.

[mekasmom]

That's not correct at all. You are better off using cast iron pans because aluminum causes heavy metal poisoning and is linked to AD.

[OkieDavid]

I would tend to question the connection. The incidence of alzh. has been increasing in the population while the use of cast iron is lowering (over the last 100 years or so). If I was going to look at cookware, I would investigate the use of aluminum and/or non stick cookware.

[||Downhome||]

May be something to do with cheap Chinese made cast Iron?

[Alice In TX/MO]

That article is badly written and out of date. Ignore it.

[alpacaspinner]

I've no idea how accurate any of his figures are except for the weight of the pan, and that is way off. An 8 lb pan equals 3.6 kg, not 17.6 kg. So, one wonders, is he basing his results on 8 lbs, or 17.6 kg? I'm not giving up my cast iron in any case; at my age any damage has already been done LOL

[SLFarmMI]

Originally Posted by Laura

I cook with cast iron to keep from being anemic. Several years ago my doctor gave me two weeks to get my iron up or go on shots. Instead of taking the nasty pills, I switched back to using my casst iron. It worked.

I do not own aluminum, or nonstick coated because of the health hazards. I use cast iron, enamel, old made in USA RevereWare, Pyrex, Corning and FireKing.

I wouldn't even use aluminum for a dog dish.

Laura,
I hope this isn't too personal of a question but would you mind sharing how much your iron went up after switching to the cast iron pans? My hemoglobin and my iron storage numbers are really low and my doctor has me on iron 3 times a day and has given me a month to get it up or she's ordering an IV infusion. I'm taking so much iron that I've started sneezing out 6 penny nails and attracting magnets. So, I'm looking for as many ways to up my iron as possible.

[haypoint]

I think cast iron cookware is safe for preparing food, but can cause brain injury if hit up side the head with it.

[chewie]

just a question--as far as AD goes, are ppl getting it earlier now, too? I know of a very few very old ppl who've had it, and maybe they used cast iron, but seems like there are more and younger ppl getting it. and as someone pointed out, less ppl are using cast iron and have gone to alum. or non stick. I know I've seen tons of alum cookware at sales, etc., and you can tell its been used for years. I also won't use it even for animal dishes. that makes me think its those ppl, that era, that is showing up with AD now. the timing would be about right.

I also am very iron deficient, and was told to use cast iron cookware. can't say as it did anything, still so low I can't even give blood.

and maybe the new cast iron is made differently, cheaper, and gives off funky stuff.

[haypoint]

Originally Posted by chewie

just a question--as far as AD goes, are ppl getting it earlier now, too? I know of a very few very old ppl who've had it, and maybe they used cast iron, but seems like there are more and younger ppl getting it. and as someone pointed out, less ppl are using cast iron and have gone to alum. or non stick. I know I've seen tons of alum cookware at sales, etc., and you can tell its been used for years. I also won't use it even for animal dishes. that makes me think its those ppl, that era, that is showing up with AD now. the timing would be about right.

I also am very iron deficient, and was told to use cast iron cookware. can't say as it did anything, still so low I can't even give blood.

and maybe the new cast iron is made differently, cheaper, and gives off funky stuff.

I think more are living longer so it shows up more.
The new modern cast iron cookware is made with Fe.

[Usingmyrights]

I thought I had remembered reading it before but for some reason after frying up my bacon and eggs this morning I forgot. On a more serious note, i wouldn't stress over it.

[sisterpine]

I believe cast iron is only a problem if used on ones head.