I've been telling you for quite some time about the value of donating your blood as a safe means to reduce iron levels and protecting your heart, especially for men who are more prone to iron overload. This really is one of the most common causes of hidden disease in the culture today as it radically increases your risk for heart disease and most cancers.

It is great to see confirmation of this recommendation validated by a report in JAMA.

During the time my clinic has been checking the iron levels of all patients, I've found almost half of the men have excessive amounts of iron in their blood. Thus, their health would benefit greatly from donating their blood anywhere from one to six times annually, depending on the overload of iron.

I strongly encourage each and every one of you to have your iron levels checked by a simpe test called ferritin. You can review my article on how to test for iron to interpret your results.

Remember that iron is nature's rusting agent. Having an excessive level of iron in your body is one of the most potent ways that your body oxidizes, or prematurely ages.

Oxidation is what happens to most metals that are exposed, unprotected, to the elements. For example, when you leave metal lawn furniture outside for the summer and the paint is damaged, the metal will rust. This process is called oxidation (and yes, oxidation is also responsible for those unsightly rust spots that can appear on your car).

Excess iron produces the exact opposite effect of antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E. That is why it is important to reduce iron, because it is a potent oxidant stressor and serves as the ultimate anti-antioxidant in your body.

As Mary from Cabool, Missouri points out on Vital Votes:

"So not only can you save someone's life, you can also help your own health by giving blood.  Definitely a win-win situation here."

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