Is heme iron blocked when combining meat with dairy products? Thank you.
If you are asking about the bioavailability of iron from food, i.e., the combination of meat with a dairy product on the same plate, it is important to note that divalent elements, which include calcium abundantly found in dairy products, hinder the absorption of iron. Such a combination is not the most advantageous.
When dealing with the intake of dietary supplements, they should always be taken with a time interval from meals (preferably in the morning on an empty stomach). Otherwise, you significantly reduce the effectiveness of the supplement, to a greater extent when consuming foods containing concentrated sources of calcium, magnesium, or zinc...
Themes: Dairy products Heme iron
Questions answered by
Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system
Nutrition educator, lecturer, and author of the educational system and the ZOF learning application.
Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.
He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.
In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.