Heme Iron

- 11 mg of heme iron of bovine origin per capsule, with the addition of folate, vitamin B12 and an exclusive blend of vitamin C.
- 11 mg of heme iron of bovine origin per capsule, with the addition of folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C for optimal absorption and digestive tolerance.
- Vitamin C is provided as Pureway C™, a proprietary combination of ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids shown to improve the absorption and half-life of vitamin C compared to standard ascorbic acid.
- Heme iron offers higher absorption rates than non-heme iron sources, absorption is less affected by dietary compounds such as polyphenols and phytates, and may provide better digestive tolerance.
- Heme iron is not suitable for vegan populations.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in developed countries. One in two women are expected to suffer from it at some point in their lives. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which is a decrease in the number of red blood cells. Although iron deficiency anemia typically presents with symptoms of fatigue, weakness, hair loss, and paleness, low iron levels can affect many other body systems at the same time or even before anemia sets in.
Iron is not only an essential mineral for the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin, it is also necessary for the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin, the production of triiodothyronine and the regulation of cytokines. 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 childbearing age, pregnant women, vegans and vegetarians are at risk of iron deficiency or simply have higher iron needs. It is clear that effective and well-tolerated iron supplementation options are needed for a wide variety of populations.
Although there are many types of iron supplements available on 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 comes from plant sources like grains and vegetables. This distinction is important because heme iron is the most bioavailable form of iron. It is easily absorbed 25-30% from the digestive tract, which is much better than non-heme iron, which is only 1-10% absorbed. 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 Heme Iron contains 11 mg of heme iron of bovine origin, as well as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C for optimal absorption and digestive tolerance. Vitamin C is provided as Pureway C™, a proprietary combination of ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids that has been shown to improve the absorption and half-life of vitamin C compared to a standard ascorbic acid.
For vegan or liquid alternatives, patients may also consider Cyto-Matrix's Iron Matrix and Bio-Ferra, which include two nonheme options: iron bis-glycinate and iron polysaccharide complex. These two forms are well tolerated by the digestive tract. Heme iron is intended for people who are iron deficient and want to quickly replenish their iron levels, or for those who have difficulty increasing their iron levels using traditional non-heme sources.