The Lucky Iron Fish wasn\u2019t always so cute. It began as an amorphous iron chunk. It was used as a paperweight, a door stop, anything other than its intended purpose\u2014to be dropped in a cooking pot. But mold that lump of metal into a fish body, give it a smile, and you have an adorable tool to fight a health concern that affects 3.5 billion people worldwide.<\/p>\n
In Cambodia, the rate of iron deficiency is around 30 to 50 percent.<\/i> Tweet This Quote<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While the CDC estimates that roughly 20 percent of populations living in westernized countries lack an adequate amount of iron in their diets, numbers in developing countries are much higher. In Cambodia, where Lucky Iron Fish first started distributing, the number ranges from 30-50 percent. Iron deficiency is a preventable condition that can lead to anemia, weakness, impaired cognitive ability, compromised physical development in children, and increased risk of illness. It can even lead to death.<\/p>\n
Gavin Armstrong, CEO of Lucky Iron Fish, realizes this is a complicated problem. But he insists on a simple solution.<\/p>\n
There are no biosensors to attach to fingers or fancy apps that require access to smartphones. It\u2019s even simpler than a pill because it comes without side effects. Add the fish to a pot of boiling water for soup, rice or other entrees, and it provides a family with up to 75 percent of their daily iron intake. The fish lasts for 5 years. It\u2019ll let you know when it\u2019s time to get a new one by turning its smile upside down.<\/p>\n
Add the lucky iron fish to a pot of boiling water for soup, rice or other entrees, and it provides a family with up to 75 percent of their daily iron intake.<\/i> Tweet This Quote<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It has already helped over 89,000 men, women and children who are living healthier and more productive lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people hear that they just have to cook with this fish for 10 minutes,\u201d explains Armstrong, \u201cthey\u2019re taken aback. We are hammering down the fact that simplicity can work to address complicated issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cooking with iron is an old idea\u2014it\u2019s been around since 500 B.C. There are dangerous attempts, too, at filling the deficiency. In parts of Africa, people eat red dirt thinking it\u2019s a cure. In parts of Southeast Asia, people cook with nails.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a new idea,\u201d says Armstrong. \u201cWe just made it into a safe process by inventing something that releases the proper amount.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe innovation,\u201d says President of Operations Tania Framst, \u201cis the education that comes along with it. People don\u2019t know they aren\u2019t getting enough iron. In Western countries people buy it after a recommendation from a doctor. In other places, community members share with each other face to face. They try it, feel better and are convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n