Cast iron is a great choice if you wish to avoid chemically-treated cookware. Cooking with cast iron provides dietary iron via the food that is cooked in it and this is usually wonderful for menstruating women and growing children. Iron in children is essential for the growth of children. In rare instances, cooking with cast iron may be troubling for men and post-menopausal women who might have elevated iron levels. In certain circumstances cooking with cast iron may raise iron levels too high, causing iron toxicity. Understand that this is rare, and if you are concerned about the possibility of being exposed to high levels of iron in your blood, you might consider getting a blood test to see the level of iron in your body. Using cast iron is safe.