problems of non heme iron supplementation and how to overcome them

Problems of synthetic/artificial non-heme iron supplementation

and how to overcome them


and how to overcome them 1. Unpleasant side-effects

Side effects of therapy with syntethic/artificial oral iron are most often diarrhea or constipation and epigastric abdominal discomfort. Taken after a meal, side effects decrease, but there is an increased risk of interaction with other substances. (Wikipedia)Chronics can only use the regular syntethic/artificial non-heme iron for a limited time. Tolerance will always decrease sooner or later and other therapy must be introduced.Today natural heme iron supplements are available with practically perfect tolerance.

OptiFer® heme iron supplements are different

• Tolerance for heme iron is equal or close to placebo. In clinical studies this is maximum.

• There is no change in tolerance or efficacy over even longer time.

• This is good news for chronics who have to continue supplementation indefinitely


and how to overcome them 2. Low uptake

The absorption or uptake of syntethic/artificial non-heme iron is generally agreed to fall between 2 – 4 % of the dose given. Since most is not absorbed this leaves toxic and reactive free iron ions in the gut, which cause gastro-intestinal side-effects. The uptake of syntethic/artificial non-heme iron is affected by other simultaneously ingested food, drink and medication.Doses of over 50 mg non-heme per day inhibits zinc absorption.

OptiFer® Heme Iron supplements are different

• It is well known that uptake for heme iron is 20 – 40 % of the dose. Heme iron not taken up is totally inert and has no negative effect on the organism.

• There is no change in uptake/efficacy of heme iron over time.

• Simultaneously ingested food, drink or medication does not affect heme-iron uptake. Zinc absorption is not affected


and how to overcome them 3. Low efficacy

30 days of supplementation with synthetic/artificial 100 mg Fe++ oral non-heme iron at a bio-availablity of 2 % theoretically gives 60 mg absorbed iron. At 5 %, which is unusually high the amount is 150 mg.


• Supplementation with 18 mg of heme iron for thirty days with a bio-availability of 20 % theoretically gives 108 mg of absorbed iron. At 40 % it will give 216 mg

• This is why heme iron tablets with a dose of 18 mg can compete with non-heme preparations of 100 mg or more

• Heme iron is very well tolerated and is known to have a side-effects ratio as placebo. This automatically means a higher therapy success rate.

• Continual supplementation when needed is possible.


and how to overcome them 4. There really aren't many alternatives

Iron is absolutely vital for life. Chronics usually receive regular syntethic/artificial oral non-heme tablets in high doses until treatment fails due to increasing side-effects.The remaining alternative is expensive and inconvenient intravenous iron, or transfusions. Both of these have risks, such as complications, allergic reactions and oxidative stress.


• There is no change in uptake/efficacy or tolerance of heme iron over time.

• The OptiFer®-series of heme iron supplements are competitive in pricing.

• There are no interactions with simultaneously ingested food, drink or medicine.

• Dosage is the easiest possible: One or two tablets at any time.


• There is no reason to continue using products that have low efficacy and give tolerance issues.

• Problems to the degree that many therapies are abandoned to the detriment of patients. Iron is absolutely essential for life and cannot be substituted with anything else

• The OptiFer®-series of heme iron supplements is the real alternative to the outdated therapies used today.

Superior heme iron supplements

problems of non heme iron supplementation and how to overcome them

Health & Medicine