Iron deficiency and anemia
Iron deficiency and anemia - Could they be the cause of your fatigue and lack of endurance?
The United Nations World Health Organization reports that iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional disorder in the world, affecting more than 20% of the world's population1. Anemia is the result of insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, which reduces the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to the body's organs and results in decreased energy levels and other symptoms. The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency2.
Although anemia can be diagnosed by measuring the red blood cell and hemoglobin content of the bloodmany people who are iron deficient are not anemic and suffer without being diagnosed (see "Determining Iron Deficiency"). Iron deficiency is more common in developing countries, but it is also seen in North America in certain populations, such as women of childbearing age. Approximately 12% of women aged 20-49 years are iron deficient, with higher rates of deficiency occurring in Latino and African American populations3. Other groups at risk are First Nations and Indo-Canadians, vegans and long-distance runners8.
Premenopausal women are the group most likely to be iron deficient. Iron loss during menstruation leaves about 25% of premenopausal women iron deficient. The increased demand for iron during pregnancy and breastfeeding also causes iron deficiency. In adult men and postmenopausal women, the cause of iron deficiency can be severe: two-thirds of the time, the cause is gastrointestinal bleeding4.
Typical symptoms of iron deficiency include:
- fatigue;
- weakness;
- reduced stamina;
- headaches;
- dizziness and fainting spells;
- low blood pressure;
- Pale lips and eyelids;
- loss of libido;
- coldness of the extremities of the limbs;
- Weakening of the immune system.
These symptoms occur because the body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin that carries oxygen to the major organs (heart, lungs and kidneys), forcing them to work too hard. Symptoms are even more acute in children, where iron deficiency can reduce learning ability and attention span, as well as cause irritability.6.
Causes of iron deficiency
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Genitourinary bleeding
- Menstruation
- Repeated blood donations
- Growth
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Poor diet
- Intestinal malabsorption
- Internal parasites
- Gastric surgery
Source: Handbook of Nutrition and Food, CRC Press*.
Iron supplementation - What are the options?
One way to treat the effects of iron deficiency and anemia is to take iron supplements. The most common forms of iron in supplements are ferrous fumarate, iron(II) D-gluconate, iron(II) sulfate, iron(III) polymaltose hydroxide, iron choline citrate and ferrous citrate. All of these forms of iron are absorbed at different rates and cause various side effects, such as various gastric problems (cramps, constipation and gastric upset). Some iron supplements can also interact negatively with other nutritional supplements and medications. It is important to take a safe and effective iron supplement to counteract iron deficiency.
One possible iron supplement is Ferrochel®, a patented form of chelated iron (ferrous bisglycinate) that is easily absorbed by the body and safe for long-term use.
How can I get the iron I need without side effects?
A key to compensating for iron deficiency is to find an iron supplement that is bioavailable and absorbable.
Ferrochel®, a patented chelated iron (ferrous bisglycinate) is a form of iron that, like heme iron (chelated or protein iron), is not affected by dietary factors that can interfere with iron absorption.
Published studies, conducted by well-known researchers around the world, have consistently indicated that Ferrochel® is more bioavailable than other forms of iron (see graph on the right). A study of anemic children found that Ferrochel® had an apparent absorption rate of 70% to 75%, 3.7 times higher than the commonly prescribed iron(II) sulfate.6.*
In an experimental group treated with 30 mg of Ferrochel®, the product restored hemoglobin in anemic adolescents to the same level as in a group treated with 120 mg of iron(II) sulfate. More importantly, 32% of adolescents taking iron(II) sulfate complained of gastric side effects (gastrointestinal upset, constipation and occasional diarrhea). No teenagers who took 30 mg of Ferrochel® complained of side effects7.*
Iron Safety Issues - Short and Long Term
Toxicology studies have been conducted on Ferrochel® at the University of Utah. The studies compared the safety of Ferrochel® with that of iron(II) sulfate. Taking into account the increased absorption of Ferrochel®, it was found to be almost ten times safer than iron(II) sulfate.10.
Another issue with iron supplements is the long-term safety of the ingested product. Ferrochel® was evaluated in a multi-generation study of pigs. The pigs were fed 500 mg of Ferrochel® per day for four generations of offspring. The researchers whoexamined the animals detected no biochemical, physiological or histological changes in the animals compared to normal pigs. Histochemical analysis found no abnormal accumulation of hemosiderin, meaning there was no evidence of excessive iron accumulation in the animals' tissues. This proves that even at a high dose of 500 mg/day, Ferrochel® chelated iron can be metabolized, a powerful proof of its low toxicity and long term safety11.*
The overall safety offered by Ferrochel® may be a function of its unique patented chemistry, which allows the body to process this form of iron more easily and efficiently than other forms of iron. Ferrochel® is preferentially absorbed in the jejunum, followed somewhat by the duodenum. Iron salts are primarily absorbed in the duodenum. The absorption of Ferrochel® is not inhibited by dietary components, such as phytates, phosphates, other metals, phenols and tannins, which generally reduce the absorption of iron salts. The movement of Ferrochel® from the light to the mucosal cells is several times faster and greater than that of inorganic iron because it does not induce the chemical reactions normally associated with iron salts12.*
Iron content tests - Determination of iron deficiency
If you think you have symptoms of iron deficiency, you should ask your health care provider to do further testing.
Diagnosis of iron deficiency - Laboratory testing for iron deficiency should be based on clinical suspicion, not on the presence of anemia. In the early stages, iron deficiency may exist without overt anemia, but with non-hematologic symptoms.
- Serum ferritin is the best diagnostic test for iron deficiency. A ferritin level below 15 µg/L in adults and 12 µg/L in children indicates iron deficiency. These levels cover most cases of iron deficiency; however, deficiency can occur at normally low levels.
- Ferritin measurements may not be reliable in patients with acute or chronic inflammation, malignancy, or liver or kidney disease. Patients who report persistently high serum ferritin levels, without a chronic inflammatory disorder, should be tested for iron overload8.*
Definition of iron doses for treating anemia
How much iron do you need to treat iron deficiency? The British Columbia Medical Association recommends 180 mg of elemental iron per day to replenish iron stores. Anemia can be cured in 2 to 4 months and therapy should continue for 4 to 6 months or until your doctor sees serum ferritin levels of 50 µg/L in your blood8.
Health First® Iron-First
Iron-First capsules are designed to increase the iron content of the blood in an effective and safe manner without uncomfortable side effects. Iron-First assists in the formation and proper functioning of red blood cells and the prevention of iron deficiency.
- Contains patented Ferrochel® (ferrous bisglycinate).
- More easily absorbed than other forms of iron (clinically proven).
- Better tolerated by the body than other forms of iron (clinically proven).
- Non-constipating product.
- Prepared with a complex of vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B12, other important B vitamins, minerals and plant extracts designed to facilitate iron absorption.
- Easy to swallow vegetable capsule.
- Suitable for vegetarians.
REFERENCES:
1. Albion Research Notes. December 1993. Volume 2, No 6. "Iron Treatment Failure".
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html
3. Albion Research Notes. December 1993. Volume 2, No. 6. "Iron Treatment Failure".
4. Albion Research Notes. February 2003. Volume 12, No. 1, "The Iron Conundrum". Table 1.
5. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/anemia/page3_em.htm
6. Albion Research Notes. February 1996. Volume 5, No. 1, "Research on Ferrochel".
7. Albion Research Notes. July 1992. Volume 1, No. 1. "Study Shows Ferrochel Superior to Salts".
8. British Columbia Medical Association. "Investigation and Management of Iron Deficiency." 2004.
9. Albion Research Notes. February 1996. Volume 5, No. 1, "The Trouble With Iron.
10. Albion Research Notes. February 1996. Volume 5, No. 1. "Ferrochel - Higher Margin of Safety Against Overdose."
11. Albion Research Notes. February 1996. Volume 5, No. 1. "Safety In Long Term Usage."
12. Albion Research Notes. February 1996. Volume 5, No. 1. "Safety By Nature".
* Indicates that this is an excerpt.