By Eric Ciappio, Strategic Development Manager, Nutrition Science, Balchem Human Nutrition & Health05.30.24
New research in the U.S. reveals that anemia affects more than one-quarter of pregnant women, which is much higher than previously thought.1,2 These latest statistics, collected from the largest ever U.S.-based study in a multiethnic pregnant population, shed new light on the prevalence of anemia and the scale of the problem.
The more alarming truth? Many products designed to address anemia in moms and mothers-to-be still haven’t made much progress in terms of tolerability and efficacy, exacerbating the issue.
Traditional iron supplements, such as ferrous sulfate — the most commonly consumed oral iron supplement — continue to fall short, plagued by problems like an increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects during use.3 This potentially causes women to discontinue using iron supplements, leaving both them and their babies vulnerable to the consequences of iron deficiency.
In response to this challenge, there is a growing interest in alternative iron forms, such as ferrous bisglycinate. This form helps women achieve adequate iron status for healthy fetal development with a lower risk of negative GI effects, like gut discomfort.
Here’s a look at the science behind this superior form of iron and why you should consider using ferrous bisglycinate in your next iron-based solution for moms-to-be.
These traditional iron salts are poorly absorbed by the body and can react with anti-nutrients, like phytates — components commonly found in plant-based foods — which can further limit their absorption.5 Ferrous bisglycinate, a chelated form of iron which is uniquely bound to two molecules of glycine, is protected from the external environment, limiting the ability of anti-nutrients to interfere with its absorption.
In a recent review and meta-analysis by Fischer et al, several randomized controlled trials were analyzed to assess the impact of ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations, in comparison to other iron supplements.2 The findings revealed that ferrous bisglycinate, the iron form that powers Albion Minerals’ Ferrochel ingredient, demonstrates significantly greater bioavailability compared to conventional iron forms.2
This translates to supplements achieving greater hemoglobin concentrations in pregnant women, helping brands create more effective solutions that reduce the risk of anemia more quickly than conventional iron salts.
Moreover, the low bioavailability of these traditional iron salts results in larger doses being required to have an effect, which can lead to GI discomfort.2 When this is combined with the fact that iron demands soar during pregnancy — resulting in a 50% increase in dietary requirements6 — moms-to-be are put at a heightened risk of suffering from adverse GI side effects.
Take ferrous sulfate as an example; it has been shown to increase the risk of GI upset by more than two times in the general population and over three times in pregnant women, compared to placebo.3
This presents a significant barrier to compliance and is the reason why up to 50% of adults stop taking iron supplements.3 Findings from Fischer et al reveal that ferrous bisglycinate is the key to achieving gastric comfort while effectively increasing hemoglobin levels in moms-to-be.2 The study revealed that compared to conventional iron salts, ferrous bisglycinate improved hemoglobin status and reduced GI events by 64% in pregnant women.2 This form of iron is therefore well tolerated and will likely reduce the occurrence of non-adherence.
Ferrous bisglycinate offers dietary supplement manufacturers an opportunity to create unique supplement formats. It is also listed by the World Health Organization as the suggested iron fortificant for fluid milk, juice, and soft drink applications, owing to its enhanced absorption and solubility compared to other iron salts.7
Balchem’s Albion Minerals ferrous bisglycinate chelate ingredient, Ferrochel, is a chelated iron product driving innovation in the maternal nutrition arena. It is scientifically-proven to have a superior role as an iron supplement, offering enhanced bioavailability and reduced gastric side-effects, compared to conventional iron salts.8 Available in a range of delivery applications, Ferrochel can help brands support more moms-to-be, ultimately reducing the global prevalence of anemia.
About the Author: Eric Ciappio is the Strategic Development Manager, Nutrition Science, at Balchem Human Nutrition & Health. For more information: www.balchem.com
2. Fischer et al. The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev., 2023;81(8):904-920.
3. Tolkien et al. Ferrous sulfate supplementation causes significant gastrointestinal side-effects in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 2015;10(2):e0117383.
4. Tondeur, Schauer, Christofides, et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80:1436–1444.
5. Abbaspour, Hurrell, Kelishadi. Review on iron and its importance for human health. J Res Med Sci 2014;19:164–174.
6. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 9, Iron. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222309/.
7. World Health Organization. Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients (2006).
8. Milman N, Jønsson L, Dyre P, Pedersen PL, Larsen LG. Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial. J Perinat Med. 2014;42(2):197-206.
The more alarming truth? Many products designed to address anemia in moms and mothers-to-be still haven’t made much progress in terms of tolerability and efficacy, exacerbating the issue.
Traditional iron supplements, such as ferrous sulfate — the most commonly consumed oral iron supplement — continue to fall short, plagued by problems like an increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects during use.3 This potentially causes women to discontinue using iron supplements, leaving both them and their babies vulnerable to the consequences of iron deficiency.
In response to this challenge, there is a growing interest in alternative iron forms, such as ferrous bisglycinate. This form helps women achieve adequate iron status for healthy fetal development with a lower risk of negative GI effects, like gut discomfort.
Here’s a look at the science behind this superior form of iron and why you should consider using ferrous bisglycinate in your next iron-based solution for moms-to-be.
Bioavailability for More Effective Solutions
Ferrous bisglycinate can help brands overcome challenges relating to low bioavailability that can occur in the presence of anti-nutrients that can be problematic for conventional iron salts, such as ferrous sulfate.4These traditional iron salts are poorly absorbed by the body and can react with anti-nutrients, like phytates — components commonly found in plant-based foods — which can further limit their absorption.5 Ferrous bisglycinate, a chelated form of iron which is uniquely bound to two molecules of glycine, is protected from the external environment, limiting the ability of anti-nutrients to interfere with its absorption.
In a recent review and meta-analysis by Fischer et al, several randomized controlled trials were analyzed to assess the impact of ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations, in comparison to other iron supplements.2 The findings revealed that ferrous bisglycinate, the iron form that powers Albion Minerals’ Ferrochel ingredient, demonstrates significantly greater bioavailability compared to conventional iron forms.2
This translates to supplements achieving greater hemoglobin concentrations in pregnant women, helping brands create more effective solutions that reduce the risk of anemia more quickly than conventional iron salts.
Reducing Adverse Effects
Conventional iron forms can result in GI adverse effects due to factors like iron-induced inflammation, caused by the generation of free radicals, as well as iron-induced changes to the gastric microbiota or metabolism.3Moreover, the low bioavailability of these traditional iron salts results in larger doses being required to have an effect, which can lead to GI discomfort.2 When this is combined with the fact that iron demands soar during pregnancy — resulting in a 50% increase in dietary requirements6 — moms-to-be are put at a heightened risk of suffering from adverse GI side effects.
Take ferrous sulfate as an example; it has been shown to increase the risk of GI upset by more than two times in the general population and over three times in pregnant women, compared to placebo.3
This presents a significant barrier to compliance and is the reason why up to 50% of adults stop taking iron supplements.3 Findings from Fischer et al reveal that ferrous bisglycinate is the key to achieving gastric comfort while effectively increasing hemoglobin levels in moms-to-be.2 The study revealed that compared to conventional iron salts, ferrous bisglycinate improved hemoglobin status and reduced GI events by 64% in pregnant women.2 This form of iron is therefore well tolerated and will likely reduce the occurrence of non-adherence.
Formulation Possibilities
Ferrous bisglycinate can open a range of formulation opportunities for manufacturers, enabling brands to create standout products that appeal to consumers who are tired of taking pills to meet their iron needs. For instance, why not develop multi-ingredient functional food formats — such as snack bars, cereals, or ready-to-drink beverages — for consumers looking for new delivery formats for their supplements?Ferrous bisglycinate offers dietary supplement manufacturers an opportunity to create unique supplement formats. It is also listed by the World Health Organization as the suggested iron fortificant for fluid milk, juice, and soft drink applications, owing to its enhanced absorption and solubility compared to other iron salts.7
Balchem’s Albion Minerals ferrous bisglycinate chelate ingredient, Ferrochel, is a chelated iron product driving innovation in the maternal nutrition arena. It is scientifically-proven to have a superior role as an iron supplement, offering enhanced bioavailability and reduced gastric side-effects, compared to conventional iron salts.8 Available in a range of delivery applications, Ferrochel can help brands support more moms-to-be, ultimately reducing the global prevalence of anemia.
About the Author: Eric Ciappio is the Strategic Development Manager, Nutrition Science, at Balchem Human Nutrition & Health. For more information: www.balchem.com
References
1. Kang et al. Hemoglobin distributions and prevalence of anemia in a multiethnic United States pregnant population. AJCN, 2023;117(6):1320-1330.2. Fischer et al. The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev., 2023;81(8):904-920.
3. Tolkien et al. Ferrous sulfate supplementation causes significant gastrointestinal side-effects in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 2015;10(2):e0117383.
4. Tondeur, Schauer, Christofides, et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80:1436–1444.
5. Abbaspour, Hurrell, Kelishadi. Review on iron and its importance for human health. J Res Med Sci 2014;19:164–174.
6. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 9, Iron. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222309/.
7. World Health Organization. Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients (2006).
8. Milman N, Jønsson L, Dyre P, Pedersen PL, Larsen LG. Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial. J Perinat Med. 2014;42(2):197-206.
