Add the salt pork, onion and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook uncovered for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until thickened and creamy. Do not allow to boil. Stir in the bacon fat or butter, taste and season as needed with salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.
Pay extra attention to your iron intake if you follow a vegan diet, since you rely solely on non-heme iron. Be aware that your body does not absorb non-heme iron as well as it does heme. Focus on plant-based foods with the highest iron content so that you can increase your ferritin levels. Broccoli, asparagus and dark leafy greens such as spinach, collards and kale are the richest iron sources among vegetables, while lima beans and kidney beans are iron-rich legumes.
Test results generally take between 24 to 72 business hours after your specimen is collected. Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron. The level of ferritin correlates with the total amount of iron stored in the body. Ferritin is low in those with iron deficiency anemia and high when levels of iron are raised. Liver dysfunction can cause elevated ferritin levels because the liver is unable to clear it from the body. Ferritin may also be increased when the body is inflamed or an infection is present.