Iron Overload Disorder (IOD) Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

Iron is one of the important parts of our body which helps in enhancing the functioning of the body. The main function of iron is to make red blood cells and carry oxygen to the tissues and cells present in the body. In red blood cells the iron gets mixed with protein and is called haemoglobin. During breathing through lung oxygen present in them is attracted to the iron in haemoglobin and combines with oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin. Iron helps in fighting disease by building immunity and improves brain function as well as muscle strength. But everything in a limited or balanced way is safe like if we eat overload we feel nauseous or we eat too much sugar can result in other diseases. Just like that if there is too much iron in our system then it may cause damage to the organs called Haemochromatosis. Through this article we are going to discuss the treatment through Ayurvedic medicine.

WHAT IS IRON OVERLOAD DISORDER?

It is basically known as Haemochromatosis where the body absorbs too much iron from the foods that we iron. This excessively stored iron in the organ can affect the heart, the liver and the pancreas. Too much iron can result in life-threatening situations like heart problems or liver disease. The genes that are responsible for causing iron overload are inherited from family. The signs and symptoms may appear in the midlife.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Some of the patient with Haemochromatosis never show symptoms but some signs that are common in this condition are:-

• Pain in Joint
• Weakness
• Pain Abdomen
• Diabetes
• Impotence
• Heart Failure
• Liver Failure
• Gray Skin Color
• Fatigue
• Memory Fog

Most hereditary hemochromatosis is present from birth but they do not appear until they reach the age of 40. Women develop symptoms after menopause because they are not able to lose it through menstruation and pregnancy.

COMPLICATIONS

If left untreated it can result in many numbers of complications which can especially affect the organs and joint. This includes:-

• Diabetes- This can cause damage to pancreas resulting in diabetes.
• Liver Problem- It might cause permanent scarring on the liver resulting in liver cirrhosis and this can lead to liver cancer as well.
• Heart Problem- Excessive iron in the heart can affect the ability of the heart to circulate blood as needed by the body. This can cause congestive heart failure and also abnormal heart rhythms.
• Change In Skin Color- The deposition of iron in the skin cells can make the skin color gray and bronze.
• Reproductive Problem- The excessive amount of iron in the body results in erectile dysfunction and absence of menses or loss of sex drive.

HOW HEMOCHROMATOSIS AFFECTS THE ORGAN?

As we have discussed above iron plays an important role in the normal function and helps in the formation of blood. While too much iron is very toxic.

Hepcidin is a hormone secreted by the liver which helps in controlling how much iron should be used and absorbed in the body. It is also responsible for distributing the collection of iron in the body. If there is too much iron stored in any organ particularly in the liver, over the time this stored iron can cause damage to the liver resulting in organ failure.

WHAT CAUSES IRON OVERLOAD?

It is caused by mutation of genes that helps in controlling the amount of iron present in the body and the genes that can cause hereditary hemochromatosis are HFE. It is inherited from both the genes and there are two types called C282Y and H63D. This puts you in two categories including

2 Genes inherited from both the parents;- You are also capable of passing it to your children and it is not important inheritance is the only reason. Inheritance of only 1 abnormal gene:- There are very slim chances that you may develop hemochromatosis but you can be the carrier of hemochromatosis. But your child will not develop any symptom until the other gene is inherited from the other parent too.

HOW THIS OVERLOADING OF IRON CAN BE DIAGNOSED?

It is difficult to diagnose Hereditary hemochromatosis but there can be seen symptoms like stiffness of joints and weakness as well. Many people who don’t show any signs and symptoms mostly have high levels of iron in the blood.

Blood tests like Serum transferrin saturation and Serum ferritin are helpful in detecting the disorder.

Other Test:-

• LFT
• MRI
• Gene Testing
• Liver Biopsy

PLANET AYURVEDA PRESENTS IRON OVERLOAD PACK

Hemochromatosis is a very rare disorder and there is no particular medication in Allopathy that can help in treating the disease. While Planet Ayurveda provides their herbal medicine that are 100 percent pure, natural and vegetarian. All the herbal medicine in this pack is formulated with herbs that are free from additives, chemicals and preservatives. They all are clinically tested making it safe to use and free of side effects. Herbal products in the IOD Pack included are

1. Punarnava Capsules
2. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules
3. Navkarshik Churna
4. Indian Echinacea Capsules

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Punarnava Capsules

The botanical name for Punarnava is Boerhavia diffusa which is the main ingredient in this herbal product. It is one of the excellent herbs for both the kidney and heart as it helps in improving their function. It is one of the best herbal remedies that helps in treating congestive heart failure and due to its detoxifying property it is found very useful in removing the toxin that is iron from the body. This toxin is removed from the kidney in the form of urine.It helps in increasing the Vata Dosha and it binds the stool. It helps in balancing the Kapha and Vata as well as removing any kind of blood disorder.

Dosage:- One capsule twice daily with water after meals.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules

This herbal remedy is made from the extract of a very useful and excellent herb called Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus Niruri). It is generally very effective in disorders related to Kidney or Liver. It is effective in protecting the liver cells and reduces the chances of developing liver cirrhosis as well as treating it. Phyllanthus is packed with anticancer property and reduces the chance of any kind of cancer. It is very effective in people who suffer from diabetes as it helps in enhancing the function of pancreas and keeping them healthy.

Dosage:- One capsule twice a day after meals with water.

3. Navkarshik Churna

It is the combination of different and very effective herbs where each herb has its own function. This includes Amla (Emblica officinalis) which is packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that helps in maintaining the good functioning of the heart and is also very effective in detoxifying the liver. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) which has five tastes helps in managing diabetes by controlling the blood sugar level and helps in the production of β-cells in the pancreas. Bahera (Terminalia bellerica) which helps in balancing all the three dosha is found very useful in treating symptoms like weakness by boosting the immunity and has powerful cardio tonic properties that helps in promoting the cardiac function. Vacha (Acorus calamus) is very effective in reducing swelling from the joint and removing pain as well. Neem (Azadirachta indica) here Azad means free so it helps in getting rid of all the toxins from the body whether it’s of any kind and also in the management of diabetes. Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia) contains antipyretic, anti-hepatic, anti-microbial, anti-splenomegaly and anti-hepatomegaly properties that are very effective in treating disease to spleen or liver and along with that is also Raktsodhakarishta that means purifying the blood. Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) is best for balancing the Pitta dosha as it contains an enzyme called Picroliv which helps in ensuring the good function of the liver. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is best known by the name as Madhunashini meaning destroying sugar and reducing any complication caused by diabetes. Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata) is very effective in making the skin healthy and maintaining its natural color.

Dosage:- 1 teaspoonful daily with plain water.

4. Indian Echinacea Capsules

The main ingredient in this herbal medicine is Indian Echinacea (Andrographis paniculata) which is the main ingredient in this product. It is high in antioxidants that use very effective chronic disease like diabetes or other heart disease; it helps in boosting immunity and fighting all the infection, very effective in lowering the levels of blood sugar levels and is very effective in treating liver cirrhosis. It helps in protecting the body from cancer and making it free from all kinds of accumulated toxins.

Dosage:- One capsule twice a day after meals with water.

CONCLUSION

As discussed the overloading of iron in the body can cause many complications and it may even lead to liver cancer. According to Allopaths the only treatment is phlebotomy but there is a chance you may develop it again. Whereas Planet Ayurveda provides their Pack that is very effective in removing the root cause of the disease and making the body free from side effects.