Why should milk be avoided in a patient with iron deficiency anemia?

• A. The calcium in milk limits iron absorption
• B. Milk causes constipation unrelated to iron
• C. Milk contains iron that is not usable
• D. Milk increases iron absorption

Answer: (A)

Calcium in milk blocks iron absorption in the gut, especially non-heme iron from foods or supplements. In iron deficiency anemia you want as much iron as possible to be absorbed, so drinking milk at the same time as iron sources reduces how much iron gets into the bloodstream. Milk itself offers little usable iron, so it doesn’t help with the deficiency. To avoid this interaction, separate milk from iron-rich meals or iron supplements by a few hours.