About Iron Deficiency

Find the answers to all your important Bifera questions. If you cannot find an
answer to your question here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Considering an Iron Supplement? If you have low iron levels in your blood, you may need an iron supplement. Talk to Your Doctor.

Red meat, especially beef and liver, are the best sources of iron in your diet. Chicken, turkey, pork, fish, and egg yolk also are good sources of iron. Your body can use the heme iron from animal sources more easily than iron from vegetables and other foods.

For some women, changing their diet is not enough to get their low iron level back normal. For others, adding more meat to their diet may not be desirable.

But you may be concerned about taking an iron supplement!

An iron supplement can cause constipation, and you may have to take a stool softener with it to remedy that problem. An iron supplement that comes with vitamin C to improve iron absorption into your blood can cause dark stools, stomach irritation, or heart burn.

Sources:
1. Seligman, P., et al, Clinical Studies of HIP: An Oral Heme-Iron Product, Nutr Res 2000; 20(9): 1279-86
2. Frykman, E., et al, Side effects of iron supplements in blood donors: Superior tolerance of heme iron, J Lab Clin Med 1994;123(4): 561-4