While most people absorb enough iron through their every day nutrition and diet, there are exceptions to this generalization. For instance, pregnant women are almost always advised to add a supplemental form of iron to their diet during the gestational period. Anemic individuals are prescribed a maintenance diet by their doctor to keep sufficient iron levels in their body at all times as well.
There are three common types of iron supplements available on the market: Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrous Fumerate, and Ferrous Sulphate. However, these are not the only forms of Iron. It is also naturally occurring in every day foods, such as beef, various sources of animal liver, and asparagus.
When dealing with foods iron is classified in two categories – Heme Iron and Non-Heme Iron. The former is derived from animal products and is more readily absorbed than the latter plant-derived source.
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Iron Dosage The dose of iron prescribed can vary drastically depending on the individual. For instance, the amount of iron that you receive via your diet every day influences the amount of supplemental iron that you should consume. You can also ensure that the supplement is fully absorbed ... more
The dose of iron prescribed can vary drastically depending on the individual. For instance, the amount of iron that you receive via your diet every day influences the amount of supplemental iron that you should consume. You can also ensure that the supplement is fully absorbed by including more foods that are rich in Vitamin C into your diet.
The normal dose in the case of an iron deficiency in an adult is generally close to 100mg. This is considered a long-term regimen; however, it can occasionally be lowered at the advice of a doctor once the deficiency is corrected. Pre-menopausal and pregnant women are prescribed a much lower dose that is typically falls within the range of 14mg-45mg.
You should never start supplementing a child’s diet with iron unless you are specifically instructed to do so by their pediatrician. Ferrous sulfate is one of the leading forms of iron poisoning in children.
It is recommended that vegetarians supplement their diet with iron because a diet that excludes meat is typically very low in this nutrient. The majority of iron that is consumed through a plant-based diet is the non-heme type of iron which is not easily digested. For this reason very little gets absorbed into the body as compared to a diet rich in heme, or meat derived, iron.
Iron is also said to boost the mood, energy levels, overall function of the immune system, and in the ability to learn. Pre-menopausal women are often prescribed an iron supplement if they bleed very heavily during menstruation in an effort to prevent anemia.
Iron has the potential to become fatal if consumed in excessively large amounts – especially in children. For this reason it is crucial to keep all medicine containers out of the reach of children, even if they are labeled as “child proof.” You should always consult with your doctor about the correct dosage.
The most common side effect of supplemental iron that most people initially experience is a small amount of lower intestinal upset. Generally, this will present itself in the form of bloating, gas, diarrhea, very darkly colored stools or constipation. You may also experience some nausea or vomiting. Most of these side effects can be prevented by starting with a small dose and gradually increasing it as your body becomes accustomed to it.
Long term diarrhea that continues for more than several days warrants a trip to the doctor. Aside from severely dehydrating your body you may also deplete your lower intestine of a significant amount of beneficial bacteria that will cause further problems with your digestive tract and eventually your overall health. Constipation that lasts longer than several days should also be investigated.
Because iron has the potential to counteract some prescription medications it is very important that you discuss your current regimen with your doctor before you begin taking the supplement. They will need you to fully disclose any medicine, prescribed and over the counter, as well as any additional supplements that you are currently taking.
If you are not prescribed an iron supplement by your doctor and you wish to purchase an over-the-counter alternative it is very important that you learn how to read the label correctly. There will be two different numbers listed that reference the amount of iron contained in the supplement – the Total Iron count and the Elemental Iron count. The latter number is the actual amount of iron that your body will absorb.
It is also very important to ensure you are purchasing your iron supplement from a reputable company so that you know the ingredients are truly from a quality source. If you have any doubt in your mind about your ability to pick out a quality brand or how to read the label correctly you should consult with your primary care physician before you begin your regimen.
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| Bloating |
| Constipation |
| Diarrhea |
| Gas |
| Lower Intestinal Upset |
| Nausea |
| Very Darkly Colored Stools |
| Vomiting |
| Atomic number 26, Elemental Iron, Fe, Fer, Ferric Orthophosphate, Ferrous Carbonate Anhydrous, Ferrous Citrate, Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrous Pyrophosphate, Ferrous Sulfate, Heme Iron Polypeptide, Hierro, Iron Glycerophosphate |
| Anemia |
| Energy |
| Immunity |
| Mood Enhancer |