The Iron Deception
Discover Why Your Iron Supplement May Not Work
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in human health, particularly in the production of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. As such, iron deficiency and anemia are common health issues faced by many people, especially women, who tend to lose iron through menstruation. To address these health problems, the vitamin and supplement industry has been marketing iron supplements as a solution. However, what many people are not aware of is that these iron supplements may not be the solution they need, and may, in fact, do more harm than good.
The key issue with many high street iron supplements is that they are often made from synthetic iron compounds, specifically ferrous iron. Ferrous iron is cheap and easy to produce, which makes it an attractive option for supplement manufacturers. However, the problem with ferrous iron is that it can cause a number of adverse side effects, including digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain, as well as darkening of the stool and staining of the teeth. In some cases, ferrous iron supplements can even cause iron toxicity, which can lead to more serious health problems.
In addition to the problems with ferrous iron, many of the iron supplements being sold are also lacking in the essential nutrients required for healthy red blood cell production. Specifically, many iron supplements are lacking in vitamin A and vitamin B12, both of which are critical for the production of healthy red blood cells. Vitamin A is necessary for the growth and maintenance of healthy red blood cells, and vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of the DNA in red blood cells. Without these essential nutrients, the body may not be able to produce enough healthy red blood cells, even if it has enough iron.
What Causes Low Iron?
The root cause of iron deficiency and anemia is often not a lack of iron, but rather a deficiency in the nutrients that support healthy red blood cell production.
This includes vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin B12, B9 (folate), and copper. Without these essential nutrients, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells, and iron levels may become depleted, leading to iron deficiency and anemia.
To address the root cause of iron deficiency and anemia, it is important to focus on consuming a diet that is rich in the nutrients required for healthy red blood cell production. This includes foods like red meat and organs, poultry, fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds. It is also important to reduce foods that interfere with the absorption of these essential nutrients, such as caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods.
See our Guide To Iron Rich Foods
In addition to making dietary changes, individuals who are struggling with iron deficiency and anemia may also benefit from taking a comprehensive and bioavailable multivitamin that contains not just iron, but also the essential vitamins and minerals required for healthy red blood cell production. This will help to ensure that the body has all of the nutrients it needs to produce healthy red blood cells, and will help to address the root cause of iron deficiency and anemia.
A word on choosing supplements ... if we follow the principle that it's best to get nutrients from food then it's best to take supplements that are closest to food.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the iron supplements being sold by the vitamin and supplement industry are often made from cheap and synthetic ferrous iron, which can cause a number of adverse side effects. Furthermore, many of these supplements are lacking in the essential vitamins and minerals required for healthy red blood cell production.
To address the root cause of iron deficiency and anemia, it is important to focus on consuming a diet that is rich in the essential nutrients required for healthy red blood cell production, and to avoid foods that interfere with the absorption of these essential nutrients. Additionally, taking a comprehensive multivitamin that contains not just iron, but also the essential vitamins and minerals required.
Read next: Could This Be The Solution to Low Iron & Anemia
How Can Beef Liver & Organs Support Low Iron & Fatigue
Many people assume that beef organs are simply a good source of iron which in turn helps to fight fatigue. While they do contain heme iron they are particularly rich in vitamin A and B-vitamins, and are also rich in minerals, including magnesium, zinc and copper. These are the building blocks required to support healthy red blood cell production. They also come packed as nature intended in a whole food animal-based source that are generally more bioavailable than plant-based or synthetic supplements.
