Iron Bisglycinate 18mg | 120 Capsules | NOW Foods

Iron Bisglycinate 18mg by NOW Foods

This capsule contains 18mg of iron in the form of iron bisglycinate, under the brand name Ferrochel. That is 129% of the reference intake, in a single plant-based capsule per day. A bottle contains 120 capsules, so it lasts you four months. Interesting for those who want to supplement with extra iron and pay attention to the form in which the mineral is packaged.

What iron does in your body

Iron is a mineral that your body cannot make itself. You get it from your diet, for example from red meat, legumes, whole wheat bread and green leafy vegetables. Most of the iron in your body is in hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that holds oxygen. Iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Iron also contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body. In addition, iron contributes to a normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Many people wonder how it is that women in particular think about extra iron more often. In short: through menstruation you lose some blood every month, and with it also iron. People who eat little or no meat are also often consciously aware of their iron intake. Iron from plants (non-heme iron) is taken up by your body less easily than iron from meat (heme iron).

The difference between iron bisglycinate and iron sulfate

The difference lies in how the iron is packaged. With iron sulfate, the classic form in many cheap tablets, the iron is in the form of a loose salt. That breaks down in your stomach and can react with substances from your diet. With iron bisglycinate, the iron atom is bound to two glycine molecules (a small amino acid). That binding is called a chelate, from the Greek word for claw. The iron is as if it is stuck in a little claw of amino acids. Ferrochel is the patented iron bisglycinate of the manufacturer Balchem.

How to use this iron capsule

The label advises 1 capsule per day with a meal. Good to know: vitamin C from vegetables or fruit in the same meal increases the absorption of iron. It is better not to take coffee, tea and dairy exactly at the same time, because tannins and calcium inhibit the absorption. Keep an hour or two between your capsule and your cup of tea. If you take a calcium supplement or a multivitamin with a lot of calcium, spread those out over the day. And iron contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system, plays a role in the cell division process and contributes to normal cognitive function. That breadth shows why iron appears in so many body processes.

NOW Foods fills these capsules in the United States according to GMP guidelines (Good Manufacturing Practice). The capsule is made of cellulose, without gelatin. Please note: iron is dangerous for young children, so always keep the bottle out of their reach. With 18mg of iron per capsule and a four-month supply, you have an easy iron supplement in the form of iron bisglycinate.