Cereals beans and some vegetables contain poorly absorbed nonheme.
Which iron supplement is best absorbed.
How to take iron supplements for best absorption.
Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach.
Yet iron supplements can cause stomach cramps nausea and diarrhea in some people.
Ferrous sulfate is the form best absorbed by the body.
If you have a sensitive stomach it is best to take iron after a meal.
It is often suggested that other minerals such as calcium magnesium and zinc supplements may affect the absorption of iron 13 14 15.
You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem.
Non heme iron is not bound to hemoglobin.
This is because other minerals and compounds found in some foods and drinks may interfere with absorption.
To conclude here is a short summary of the steps you must take to ensure your iron supplements are being absorbed.
You should wait at least 2 hours after having these.
The absorption rate of non heme iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate and ferrous fumarate is 2 9 on an empty stomach and 0 9 with food.
Find out the best form of iron such as ferrous glycinate rerrous bisglycinate ferrous sulfate and others to take as a supplement which form is best absorbed and least likely to cause stomach upset.
Please note the following.
Iron supplements come in many forms such as liquid capsules tablets and in some cases intravenous iron.
Chicken turkey and fish are also sources of iron but they contain less than red meat.
Iron is found in the diet in two forms heme iron which is well absorbed and nonheme iron which is poorly absorbed.
How and when to take an iron supplement.
Although the supplements work best on an empty stomach you may want to take them with food so that they don t upset.
Heme iron is the most efficiently absorbed form of iron.
The best dietary source of absorbable heme iron is lean red meat.
An iron supplement is usually best taken on an empty stomach.
However extended release iron products may be taken once a day.
Milk calcium and antacids should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements.
The best way to take the supplement so that you absorb the greatest amount of iron is to take it in two or more doses during the day.
Heme iron is iron bound to hemoglobin the oxygen transporting protein in blood.
The best solution to maintain a healthy diet while not inhibiting your iron absorption is to take your iron right before bed alongside a vitamin c supplement.
The best iron pill for anemia or iron deficiency also has minimal side effects such as constipation.