When a compound is “chelated, metallic ions are bonded to non-metallic ions to form a new molecule.
Chelated iron is carried into your cells along with anamino acidbound to it.
This bond allows for more efficient iron absorption.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
This article will answer many of your questions about chelated iron supplements.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting vital oxygen throughout your body, including to your brain.
Iron is also needed to make myoglobin, a protein similar to hemoglobin that carries oxygen to your muscles.
Iron is important throughout the entire life cycle.
Infants need the mineral for normal growth and development, and older adults need iron to fight infections.
Iron Deficiency
The evidence supporting the use of chelated iron foriron deficiencyis strong.
People are considered iron-deficient when ferritin levels drop below 15 g/L in adults and 12 g/L in children.
Iron deficiency tends to affect pregnant people and children the most.
Some people choose to use non-chelated iron to treat iron deficiency.
Because of this, much of our research on chelated iron compares it to non-chelated iron.
While both types of iron increased hemoglobin levels, those receiving chelated iron saw faster results.
It was also reported to be better tolerated than the non-chelated form.
Once again, both forms of iron had positive results regarding hemoglobin levels in the study participants.
However, chelated iron was more efficacious due to increased iron stores in the children who received it.
However, iron deficiency can affect anyone.
There are several possible causes of iron deficiency.
What Causes an Iron Deficiency?
Certain conditions and life stages can make you more likely to become iron deficient.
How Do I Know If I Have an Iron Deficiency?
There are many signs that you may have an iron deficiency.
These include but are not limited to:
It’s very important to treat aniron deficiency.
If left untreated, a deficiency in iron can lead to worsening symptoms and serious health consequences.
In children, iron deficiency can lead to developmental delays.
And in pregnant people, an untreated iron deficiency can cause complications during the pregnancy.
In most cases, iron deficiency can be treated with iron supplements, including chelated iron.
What Are the Side Effects of Chelated Iron?
You may be diagnosed with iron deficiency and instructed by your healthcare provider to take chelated iron.
However, as with any supplement or medication, side effects are possible.
Side effects from taking chelated iron may be common or severe.
Common Side Effects
There are several potential side effects of taking iron.
And most of these involve the gastrointestinal tract.
Most of these side effects will dissipate after the body adjusts to taking iron.
However, if symptoms persist, you should consult your healthcare provider.
Severe Side Effects
Serious side effects of taking chelated iron are rare.
An allergic reaction may occur when taking it for the first time.
This is because taking more iron than needed can cause side effects.
People with hereditaryhemochromatosis, a condition that causes excessive iron absorption, should avoid taking iron supplements.
Taking chelated iron or other iron supplements could cause iron overload in this population.
However, a literature review from 2020 found that people with IBD can typically take oral iron without complications.
It is also considered safe for infants and young children to use chelated iron and other iron supplements.
A healthcare provider can help you find the correct dose for your children.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to ensure it is safe to take.
Dosage: How Much Chelated Iron Should I Take?
The dosage may also depend on what pop in of iron supplement you are taking.
You will most likely only be told to take iron supplements if you are deficient in iron.
Typically, you’re free to get enough iron through yourdietor a multivitamin.
You may also be instructed to take chelated iron supplements every other day rather than every day.
Some research has shown that taking iron every other day could improve tolerance.
Chelated iron dosage may vary even more for children and people who are pregnant.
Iron supplementation guidelines vary duringpregnancy.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Chelated Iron?
Chelated iron can be toxic if too much is taken.
It’s also possible to overdose oniron supplements.
Because of this, an upper limit (UL) has been put in place for iron.
For adults, the UL for all forms of iron is 45 milligrams.
The UL is 40 milligrams for infants, toddlers, and children up to 14 years old.
When this occurs, it’s vital to call poison control and seek medical care immediately.
Iron overdose can lead to organ failure, coma, convulsion, or death in children and adults.
Taking more iron than directed can lead to iron toxicity.
If your iron stores become full, free iron will begin circulating in your bloodstream.
Iron in your bloodstream is toxic to your organs.
Having an iron-rich diet while taking iron supplements could lead to toxicity.
This is why supplements are typically only recommended for people deficient in iron.
Interactions
Certain foods, nutrients, and medications can interact with chelated iron supplements.
These interactions may cause drugs not to work correctly or cause poor iron absorption.
This can lead to poor absorption of iron.
Iron can also interact with a few prescription medications.
How to Store Chelated Iron
It’s important to take precautions in storing iron supplements.
Improper storage could cause chelated iron supplements to go rancid or lose their potency.
Iron supplements often come in the form of iron salts.
However, gastrointestinal side effects are still possible when taking chelated iron.
Also, some studies have shown chelated iron supplements to be more effective than iron salts.
But both forms have shown positive results in treating iron deficiency.
Ferric iron has lower bioavailability than ferrous iron.
For females, iron deficiency anemia is denoted by a hemoglobin value of fewer than 12 grams per deciliter.
Sources of Chelated Iron & What to Look For
Iron is available in many foods.
However, chelated iron is only available in supplement form.
you’ve got the option to get all the iron your body needs through your diet.
Iron supplements are only necessary in the case of an iron deficiency or a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.
Food sources of iron include:
There are two forms of iron found in food.
Heme iron is available in meats, and non-heme iron is found in plant-based foods.
Heme iron is more readily absorbed in your digestive tract.
Infants and small children typically use iron drops, as chewable tablets and capsules may be dangerous for them.
Some chelated iron supplements may include ingredients from animals and will not be suitable for vegans orvegetarians.
Although, plant-based iron supplements are available for those wishing to avoid animal products.
Be sure to take chelated iron supplements as instructed.
Taking iron on an empty stomach may increase absorption.
But if doing so causes an upset stomach, then try taking chelated iron with a small snack.
Be careful not to confuse the term chelated iron withchelation therapy.
Chelation therapy is the removal of extra iron in the body by administering a specific punch in of drug.
Summary
Chelated iron isa supplemental form of iron that can be used to treat an iron deficiency.
Common side effects of chelated iron include upset stomach, stool changes, and nausea.
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