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Forms of Iron


  Chelated Iron is a general term for forms of Iron where Iron is bound (chelated) with Amino Acids. The average absorption rate of orally-ingested Chelated Iron is 10%. Iron chelates most effectively with the Amino Acid Cysteine.
Ferric Iron (also known as Fe+3) is a generic term for all oxidized forms of Iron (as opposed to reduced (Ferrous) forms of Iron.
Ferritin is the form in which Iron (as Ferric Oxide) is stored within the body bound to the Globulin - Transferrin. Ferritin contains 23% Iron.
Ferrous Aspartate (Iron Aspartate) is a form of Chelated Iron that consists of Iron bound to Aspartic Acid.
Ferrous Carbonate consists of Iron bound to Carbonic Acid. 24% of orally-ingested Ferrous Carbonate is absorbed by the body.
Ferrous Chloride consists of Iron bound to the Chloride form of Chlorine. Ferrous Citrate (Iron Citrate) consists of Iron bound to Citric Acid. 24% of orally-ingested Ferrous Citrate is absorbed by the body.
Ferrous Fumarate (Iron Fumarate) (FeC4H204) consists of 31.9% to 33.2% Iron bound to Fumaric Acid. 31% of orally-ingested Ferrous Fumarate is absorbed by the body. Ferrous Fumarate has been shown to inhibit Vitamin E absorption. Its molecular weight is 169.9.
Ferrous Gluconate (Iron Gluconate) (C12H22FeO14) consists of 11.9% - 12.8% Iron bound to Gluconic Acid. 12% of orally-ingested Ferrous Gluconate is absorbed by the body.
Ferrous Iron (also known as Fe+2) is a generic term for all reduced (as opposed to oxidized (Ferric) forms of Iron.
Ferrous Oxide is a form of Iron into which other forms of Iron are converted within the body for further incorporation into Ferritin.
Ferrous Succinate (Iron Succinate) consists of Iron bound to Succinic Acid.
Ferrous Sulfate (Iron Sulfate) is an inorganic form of Iron that consists of 20% Iron bound to 80% Sulfur (Sulfate). It is a less desirable form of Iron supplement as it destroys Vitamin E and causes Constipation and Nausea.
Ferric Iron is the oxidized form of Ferrous Iron. It is recommended that Ferric Iron be avoided as it destroys Vitamin E and is responsible for the conversion of Hemoglobin to Methemoglobin.
Heme Iron (Haem Iron) is Iron conjugated with a Protein - e.g. Hemoglobin or Myoglobin. Heme Iron can be obtained from the diet from animal sources - e.g. Meats. 20 - 30% of orally-ingested Heme Iron is absorbed by the human body. It is regarded as a relatively safe form of Iron.
Iron Bisglycinate (also known as Ferrochel; Ferrous Bisglycinate) is a form of Chelated Iron that is claimed by its manufacturers to be highly bioavailable. Its manufacturers also claim that Iron Bisglycinate does not cause the gastrointestinal irritation or Constipation that some forms of supplemental Iron cause.
Iron Citrate consists of Iron bound to Citric Acid. This form of Iron is well tolerated by sensitive Gastrointestinal Tracts.
Iron Lactate consists of Iron bound to Lactic Acid.
Iron Phosphate consists of 16% Iron bound to 84% Phosphorus.
Iron Picolinate consists of Iron bound to Picolinic Acid. Some researchers regard Iron Picolinate as the optimal form of Iron supplementation. The bioavailability of this form of Iron is very high.

Dosage Recommendations

Human Body Content The average human body contains a total of 4,000 mg (4 grams) of Iron.
Essential Intake The RDA of Iron for men is 10 mg per day. The RDA of Iron for women is 15 mg per day. - During Pregnancy, women require a total of 60 mg of Iron per day.
The optimal daily allowance (ODA) of Iron (for adults) is 0 - 40 mg per day.

Interaction with Vitamin C

Iron supplements should not be consumed at the same time as megadoses of Vitamin C.

Iron Supplementation Not for Everybody

Because excessive Iron generates potentially toxic Free Radicals, it is important that only those people who are deemed to be deficient in Iron use Iron supplements and that those people who are not Iron- deficient avoid Iron supplementation:
- Most men and the majority of women are NOT deficient in Iron.
- 9% - 11% of adolescent women and women of child-bearing age have been found to be deficient in Iron.

Bioavailability

ABSORPTION 5% - 30% of ingested Iron is actually absorbed into the bloodstream:
- 5% - 10% of non-Heme Iron is absorbed by the body.
- 20% - 30% of Heme Iron is absorbed by the body.
Iron absorption decreases in tandem with the Aging Process.
EXCRETION Unabsorbed Iron is excreted via the Feces.

Source: In-Tele-Health © 2006 (from Hyperhealth CD-ROM) with kind permission

   

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