Iron Liquid

Liquid Iron: Why Choose It?

Iron is a mineral that is found in every cell in the body. It's an integral part of red blood cells, which hold and carry oxygen to all of our cells. In turn, our cells use this oxygen to produce energy from our food. Iron is also required for robust immune function and optimal brain health and cognition. The prevalence of low iron is a major problem, with iron deficiency being the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. If you suspect you may be low on iron, speak to your healthcare provider about being tested. An iron supplement is ideal for helping restore iron levels in cases of low iron, but which form of supplement should you choose? Liquid iron offers very distinct benefits. Let’s explore.

Liquid Iron Benefits

Liquid supplements, in general, are ideal for those who have difficulty swallowing pills, including children and the elderly, and those who wear dentures, partials, or braces with a palate. Liquids are also incredibly convenient for those who like to add all their supplements into a morning smoothie or afternoon shake rather than swallowing a handful of pills. 

Absorption

Liquids cannot be beaten when it comes to getting the most out of your iron supplement. Indeed, research has shown that liquid formulations are better absorbed than tablets, capsules, and powders. In addition, it's interesting to note that many liquid iron formulations on the market are presented in a highly nutritious vegetable, fruit, and bitter herb base that bolsters the overall nutritional value. Further, it enhances bioavailability, absorption, digestibility, and utilization of nutrients by the body. Liquid iron can also be purchased in a water-dispersible micronized form that has been microencapsulated to boost iron bioavailability and absorption and improve tolerance (i.e., it does not cause GI upset). 

Dosing

The ability to adjust dosing is yet another advantage of liquid iron supplements, which allow you to dose up or down according to an individual's needs. This can save considerable money, as it does not require the purchase of multiple supplements – say, one for a pregnant mommy, one for the toddler of the family, and one for the elderly grandmother. And while tablets that are scored can also be halved to adjust dosing, they are nowhere near as precise as liquids. 

Storage

Liquid iron supplements have one drawback: their limited shelf-life once opened. Indeed, liquid supplements should be refrigerated after opening and typically keep for up to 4 weeks, so they won't keep as long as tablets or capsules. 

Excipients

Liquid supplements must be flavoured and sweetened to make them palatable. They also typically use preservatives, some of which are harmless, while others you’ll want to stay away from. Suppose you're considering a liquid iron supplement. In that case, you'll need to pay attention to the list of non-medicinal ingredients to ensure the product you select is clean and does not add to your body's toxic burden. 

Liquid Iron - Potency & Formats

Liquid iron supplements typically supply between 10 and 15 mg of elemental iron per serving and usually feature the addition of essential B vitamins to enhance bioavailability and absorption. 

Final Thoughts on Liquid Iron

Low iron status is all too common, though doctors do not typically test for it. If you suspect you may be low on iron, ask your health care practitioner to have both your serum hemoglobin and ferritin checked. This will tell you how much iron is stored in your body and is a good indicator of whether you are low in iron or suffering from a deficiency. 

For hemoglobin, the test range is 117-160 g/L for women and 131-180 g/L for men. 

A ferritin test should come back in the 15-160 ug/L range for women and 15-410 ug/L for men.