Multi-Vit + Iron also contains vitamin B12 and liver extract. Many conditions either require the intake of extra iron, or can hinder absorption of the iron. Some of these conditions are: various forms of anemia, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, depression, pregnancy, lactation, female infertility, fatigue, insomnia, poor growth and development, declining athletic performance, menorrhagia, lack of appetite, restless leg syndrome, weak immune system, history of canker sores amongst other symptoms.
Iron is an essential mineral for humans to maintain normal physiology. It is a component of proteins involved in oxygen transport, as well as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. A deficiency of iron limits oxygen delivery to cells, resulting in fatigue, and decreased immunity. Almost two-thirds of iron in the body is bound to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues.
There are two forms of supplemental iron available, non-heme iron and heme iron. Some of the non-heme or elemental iron, like ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate and ferrous succinate, is poorly absorbed, gastric pH dependent and can cause nausea and constipation, unlike plant-based ferrous gluconate. Heme iron is derived from liver extract and is the better-absorbed and utilized form, which does not cause nausea or constipation. Heme iron is already bound to the oxygen-binding protein thus is easier assimilated by the body with up to approximately 20X greater absorption than the non-heme iron. Heme iron helps to build a person’s blood much faster and maintain iron stores over the long term.
Iron needs many co-factors like vitamin C and B-vitamins, for its utilization and absorption. Vitamin C improves non-heme iron absorption and can counteract the effects of substances, which inhibit its absorption, like polyphenol components in teas and wine. The lack of certain B-vitamins can cause various forms of anemia, thus adding vitamin B12 to the mix can help to prevent this, along with vitamin B2 (riboflavin) which can improve the body’s response to an iron supplement in anemia cases.
Supportive remedies
- Dr. Reckeweg: R31, R95, BC-1, S4 Ferrum phosphoricum
- Tegor: BIO 91, BIO 92
Remember
You should always get simple blood work done to test for iron levels, like hemoglobin complete blood count and serum ferritin levels, which can differentiate between the various anemias, which then provide a baseline to work with and dictate dosage also.