Iron is important, everyone knows that. People can have an adequate amount of iron through their diet. But in some cases, food alone is not enough; this is when iron supplements come into play. Ferrous gluconate, as well as ferrous sulfate, are regarded as the most commonly used iron supplements out there. Let’s see what makes them different.
Iron
Iron is a vital component in making red blood cells that deliver oxygen from the lungs to everywhere in the body. With no iron, there will not be enough red blood cells to go around, leading to fatigue. It is also part of a protein that carries and stores oxygen in muscles. It is also crucial for children’s growth and brain development.
Food source
There are two forms of iron that people can absorb from food: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron comes from animal meat, including seafood. Non-heme iron is found in plant foods like grain, nuts, seeds, and greens. Non-heme iron can also be found in animals that eat plants with non-heme iron.
The human body absorbs heme iron better than non-heme iron. Thus, vegetarians need to plan out their diet thoroughly so they will have the iron their bodies need. One trick that people usually do is add vitamin C to the meal. This will help the body absorb iron better. Avoid drinking milk, coffee, or tea because those drinks hinder the body’s ability to absorb iron.
Iron deficiency
An iron deficiency is seen most commonly in children, women who are menstruating or pregnant, and those eating a diet lacking in iron. It occurs as a result of a low-iron diet or heavy bleeding. With no iron supply for a long time, this will lead to anemia. This indicates that the iron stored in the body has been used up and a significant number of red blood cells have been lost.
Anemia signs
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Iron supplement
Ferrous gluconate and ferrous sulfate are among the most popular iron supplements available on the market without needing a prescription from a doctor. Before comparing the two, there is something you should keep in mind. On the label, there are usually two iron amounts listed. This could cause some confusion. The bigger number indicates the value of the whole compound in a tablet, while the smaller number refers to the amount of iron in that compound, also called elemental iron. When comparing one iron supplement value to another, the elemental iron should be where to look.
- Ferrous Gluconate
- Ferrous Sulfate
As you can see, ferrous gluconate contains less elemental iron than ferrous sulfate. It only contains 27 mg of elemental iron in 240 mg of compound, which is 12% elemental iron by weight, while ferrous sulfate has 65 mg of elemental iron in 325 mg, about 20%. However, some clinical studies have shown that it is better absorbed than ferrous sulfate tablets. Because ferrous gluconate contains less elemental iron, it is less likely to induce gastrointestinal discomfort. If you can’t take ferrous sulfate, you can take ferrous gluconate two to three times a day (approximately 6 to 8 hours apart) to get your iron intake.
Aside from the amount of elemental iron, there are no notable distinctions between ferrous sulfate and gluconate. The majority of trials show similar effects and tolerance in boosting iron levels (when dosed with equal amounts of elemental iron).
Too much iron
Excess iron is most commonly caused by taking high-dosage supplements when they are not required or by having a hereditary predisposition that causes excessive iron storage.
Side effect:
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain