Dietary advice in HFE-hemochromatosis

This report aims to provide dietary advice which is based on what is known so far about the effect of a diet, particularly on iron overload in HFE-hemochromatosis. The reason that the recommendations in principle apply only to the group of individuals with HFE-gene mutations and are focused on the minimization of iron overload is that little research has been done on the effect of food in non-HFE-associated iron overload. Also little research is done into other (than iron overload) related health problems in HFE-hemochromatosis. Individuals with HFE-gene mutations – those with iron overload caused by an abnormality of the HFE-gene – are also the largest group of hemochromatosis patients (>90%) and therefore the advice is intended for the majority of hemochromatosis patients. Based on this dietary advice, patients can make an informed choice of whether and how they adjust their diet.