Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the developed world, with 1 out of every 2 women expected to experience it at one point in their lives. Deficient iron status can lead to anemia, a state of low red blood cell numbers. Although iron deficiency anemia typically presents with symptoms of fatigue, weakness, hair loss and pallor, low iron levels can affect many other body systems at the same time or even before anemia has set in. 

Iron is not just a critical mineral for the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin, but 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 reproductive age, pregnant women, vegans and vegetarians are either at risk of being iron deficient or simply have greater iron requirements. Clearly, well-tolerated and effective iron supplementation options are required in a wide variety of populations.  

While there are many types of iron supplements available in the market, a clear distinction is often made between heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is found in animal foods that contain hemoglobin, such as meat, fish, and poultry, while non-heme iron is sourced from plant sources like grains and vegetables. This differentiation is important because heme iron is the most bioavailable form of iron, readily absorbing 25-30% through the digestive tract, a far better rate when compared to non-heme absorption rates at only 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’s Heme Iron delivers 11 mg of bovine-sourced heme iron with additional folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C for optimal absorption and digestive tolerability. Vitamin C is delivered as Pureway C™, a proprietary combination of ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids shown to improve the absorption and half-life of vitamin C when compared to a standard ascorbic acid.

For vegan or liquid alternatives, patients can also consider Iron Matrix and Bio-Ferra from Cyto-Matrix which include two non-heme options: iron bis-glycinate and polysaccharide iron complex. Both forms are well tolerated on the digestive tract. Heme iron is for anyone with low iron who wants to replete their iron levels quickly, or those that have difficulty increasing iron levels using traditional, non-heme sources.