sighfdighodhgoighi
What is the best iron supplement to take? Is liquid iron the best? 5/1/2012 11:47PM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I am a female runner who runs fairly high mileage. I currently take a ferrous sulfate pill once a day (65 mg) but have heard that liquid iron absorbs much better. One that was mentioned to me was Floradix... it only has 10 mg though (however if that 10 mg absorbs really well, that's good) and it is somewhat expensive. Is that the best brand out there that top coaches would recommend?
Chuckster
RE: What is the best iron supplement to take? Is liquid iron the best? 5/2/2012 12:16AM - in reply to sighfdighodhgoighi Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I take Walgreens brand ferrous gluconate, which is apparently the form that's easiest on the stomach. The sulfate form might be harder on the stomach. Take it along with Vit C, B12, and folic acid to increase absorption and red blood cell formation. All of that is pretty cheap compared to Floradix.

The rest of the day shoot for foods high in Vit C and iron.

Get your serum ferritin level checked so you know what your normal number is in case you ever have iron problems, you'll know what to aim for to get it back to normal.
sighfdighodhgoighi
RE: What is the best iron supplement to take? Is liquid iron the best? 5/2/2012 12:22AM - in reply to Chuckster Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I've had it checked before and it was lower, so I supplemented and it got higher but it's been a while since I checked it again and I think I am exhibiting some symptoms of iron deficiency even when taking 1 65 mg pill + an orange every day. I think my stomach can handle any variety so I am okay on that. Floradix does have B12, Vit C, etc. in it to make absorption easier, I was just worried that there are only 10 mg in each dose.
Bobby1
RE: What is the best iron supplement to take? Is liquid iron the best? 5/2/2012 8:46AM - in reply to sighfdighodhgoighi Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I prefer a tablet, iron doesn't liquify until 1538 °C
Brian
RE: What is the best iron supplement to take? Is liquid iron the best? 5/2/2012 9:01AM - in reply to sighfdighodhgoighi Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Iron Amino Acid Chelates are the best supplement available (GPs don't keep up with the literature all that well). Feerrous bi-glycinate chelate.

This is one brand.

http://www.albionferrochel.com/

The advantages are very high absorbability, not as effected by tannic acid or calcium, no stomach issues, and much lowered chance of toxicity if you take too much (say for guys who supplement prophylactically).

Search Pubmed for literature:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(%22Iron%20Chelating%20Agents%2Ftherapeutic%20use%22%5BMeSH%20Terms%5D%20OR%20%22ferrous%20glycinate%22%20OR%20bis-glycine)%20AND%20%22Anemia%2C%20Iron-Deficiency%2Fdrug%20therapy%22%5BMesh%5D
Clell Adams
RE: What is the best iron supplement to take? Is liquid iron the best? 5/2/2012 9:52PM - in reply to sighfdighodhgoighi Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I wouldn't take any iron supplement before getting the go ahead from my Doctor.