Milk calcium and antacids should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements.
Which iron supplement is best absorbed.
How and when to take an iron supplement.
Heme iron is iron bound to hemoglobin the oxygen transporting protein in blood.
The best iron supplement has high dose of elemental iron per tablet is relatively inexpensive and is easily absorbed by your body.
Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach.
Non heme iron is not bound to hemoglobin.
That way you can get all the calcium tea and coffee you want during the day without worrying about how it will affect your iron levels.
Please note the following.
How to take iron supplements for best absorption.
Heme iron is the most efficiently absorbed form of iron.
Cereals beans and some vegetables contain poorly absorbed nonheme.
You should wait at least 2 hours after having these.
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.
However extended release iron products may be taken once a day.
The best dietary source of absorbable heme iron is lean red meat.
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 supplements come in many forms such as liquid capsules tablets and in some cases intravenous iron.
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.
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.
Ferrous sulfate is the form best absorbed by the body.
Yet iron supplements can cause stomach cramps nausea and diarrhea in some people.
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.
If you have a sensitive stomach it is best to take iron after a meal.
An iron supplement is usually best taken on an empty stomach.
The best iron pill for anemia or iron deficiency also has minimal side effects such as constipation.
This is because other minerals and compounds found in some foods and drinks may interfere with absorption.
There are many types of iron used in supplements the most common of which are ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate.
Although the supplements work best on an empty stomach you may want to take them with food so that they don t upset.