Heme Iron
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Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in developed countries. One in two women is expected to suffer from it at some point in their lives. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which is a low number of red blood cells. Although iron deficiency anemia usually presents with symptoms of fatigue, weakness, hair loss, and paleness, low iron levels can affect many other body systems at the same time or even before anemia sets in.
Iron is not only an essential mineral for hemoglobin and myoglobin production, it is also required for dopamine and serotonin synthesis, triiodothyronine production, and cytokine regulation. This may explain why iron has been shown to play a role in promoting optimal thyroid function, mood regulation, cognition, immune function, and female fertility. Children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant women, vegans, and vegetarians are at risk of iron deficiency or simply have increased iron needs. It is clear that effective and well-tolerated iron supplementation options are needed for a wide variety of populations.
Although there are many types of iron supplements available on the market, a clear distinction is often made between heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is found in animal-based foods that contain hemoglobin, such as meat, fish, and poultry, while non-heme iron comes from plant sources such as grains and vegetables. This distinction is important because heme iron is the most bioavailable form of iron. It is readily absorbed at 25-30% from the gastrointestinal tract, which is much better than non-heme iron, which is only absorbed at 1-10%. Heme iron absorption rates are also less affected by dietary compounds such as polyphenols and phytates. Finally, heme iron supplementation tends to generate fewer gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, stomach upset, and constipation.
Cyto-Matrix Heme Iron contains 11 mg of bovine-sourced heme iron, plus folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C for optimal absorption and digestive tolerance. Vitamin C is provided in the form of Pureway C™, a proprietary combination of ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids that has been shown to improve the absorption and half-life of vitamin C compared to standard ascorbic acid.
For vegan or liquid alternatives, patients may also want to consider Cyto-Matrix’s Iron Matrix and Bio-Ferra, which include two non-heme options: iron bis-glycinate and polysaccharide iron complex. Both forms are well tolerated by the digestive tract. Heme iron is intended for those who are iron deficient and want to quickly replenish their iron levels, or for those who have difficulty increasing their iron levels using traditional non-heme sources.
Adults: Take 1 capsule daily. Take with food, a few hours before or after taking other medications or natural health products. 400 mcg of folate daily is sufficient for most women to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Consult a health care practitioner to determine if you need a folic acid supplement before taking this product.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 50 mg
Iron (heme iron polypeptide) 11 mg
Citrus bioflavonoids (fruit, Citrus aurantiifolia; fruit, Citrus limon; fruit, Citrus paradisi; fruit, Citrus reticulata; fruit, Citrus sinensis) 1mg
Folate (L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate) 400 mcg
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) 400mcg
Non-medicinal ingredients: Hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, rice bran oil.
Do you have any questions?
You can reach our team of experts by phone Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. We will be able to help you choose the right product for you.