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