What You Need to Know About Iron Supplements
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Paris Kidd
What are the basic ingredients for a brain-healthy life? It all starts with pure and potent nutrients. BrainMD’s supplements are made with high-quality ingredients that can help improve brain health and the functioning of many other organs in the body.
One ingredient we’re proud to recommend is Iron.
Iron Essentials
Iron is a mineral essential for human health. Since the body can’t make iron, we must get it from supplements or foods. Iron is found in a wide range of foods, but plant iron is not as well absorbed as iron from animal sources. The best plant sources are beans, nuts, seeds, peas, and spinach, while the best animal sources are clams, oysters, turkey, lean beef, and lamb.
Iron makes a wide range of contributions to our health and survival. Though iron is typically linked to hemoglobin – the protein that transports oxygen around the body – it is also vital for energy production, antioxidant defense, DNA production, gene regulation, and the body’s detoxification process.
Despite its many benefits, iron comes with a precaution. The iron atom is highly reactive and has the potential to cause harm unless it’s carefully regulated. Iron’s chemically reactive nature can destroy other ingredients mixed in with it, which is why we don’t include iron in our multivitamins, NeuroVite Plus and Kids’ NeuroVite Orange Chewables.
With a priority on safety and quality, BrainMD has formulated iron as a standalone supplement. We offer iron in its most well-tolerated and well-absorbed form: ferrous bisglycinate, Ferrochel®.
What’s Ferrochel?
Ferrochel is a high-purity ingredient of iron atoms bonded to molecules of the amino acid glycine. Unlike iron sulfate, and many other iron compounds used in iron supplements, this form of iron is very gentle on the stomach.
Importance of Taking Iron
Iron deficiency afflicts approximately 7 percent of the American population (2 billion people worldwide) and is an issue even in developed countries. Supplementation with a clean and well tolerated form of iron may be necessary for people who have been tested and found deficient, including: people with fatigue, mood and sleep issues, and the elderly.
Here are some of the many ways BrainMD’s Iron can benefit the brain and body:
- Oxygen Delivery – delivers oxygen to the brain and all the other organs
- Energy Generation – increases energy levels without caffeine
- Antioxidant Protection – protects against the oxygen “free radicals” all our cells generate while making energy
- Early Brain Development – instrumental in making DNA for fetal brain growth
- Brain and Motor Functions – essential to make dopamine, which drives our muscle movements
- Mental Performance – vital for mental clarity and cognitive function
- Brain/Body Detox – iron enzymes enable the brain and body to neutralize potential toxins generated in the body as well as pollutants and other toxins entering from outside the body
- Healthy Sleep – improved sleep length and quality for kids and adults
Women and Iron
While some men can have low stores of iron, iron deficiency is more common in women, particularly during menstruation. For this reason, many women may need to take an iron supplement to help replenish depleted reserves.
Pregnant women may also benefit from an iron supplement. However, too much iron during pregnancy can be harmful. It’s important to get the appropriate lab tests done before taking an iron supplement.
Iron FAQ
BrainMD’s Iron Advanced Ferrochel® has 25 mg of iron per capsule. A dose of 1 capsule per day with food will be sufficient for most individuals. Higher intakes may give more benefit but should be supervised by a nutritionally-informed physician.
Yes. Iron is suitable for kids to take under parental supervision. Children with attention, behavioral, or sleep problems may have lower iron levels, as can children with communication and social interaction challenges, or any child who is in a growth spurt. This bisglycinate form has been proven suitable for children in several clinical trials.
Absolutely! Iron is important for nerve cell and neurotransmitter system maturation in the developing brain, and its deficiency during pregnancy has been linked to behavioral problems after birth. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant can benefit from this product and may appreciate how well it is tolerated.
BrainMD’s Iron is suitable for vegans, many of whom can benefit from iron supplementation. High-plant diets can impair iron absorption, and the iron found in plants exists as “non-heme” substances that are not well absorbed compared to the “heme” proteins such as hemoglobin and myoglobin found only in animal foods. People who eat relatively little animal foods, or only plant foods, are vulnerable to iron deficiency.
BrainMD’s Iron is free from corn, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, sugar, and yeast. It contains no artificial colorings or flavorings.
Note: It is suggested you begin taking an iron supplement only if lab tests have found that you are low in iron. To determine your recommended supplemental iron intake, consult a nutritionally-informed physician.
For more information about our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
