Q: Is this liquid Iron safe for kids?
A: Our Liquid Iron is suitable for ages 4 and up. However, it is worth noting, for the sake of labeling simplicity, the FDA’s Daily Value recommendations groups children 4+ with adults; the Daily Value (18 mg) established for labeling guidelines is the highest recommendation for all ages, four and up.
However, the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for Iron, established by the Institute of Medicine: Food and Nutrition Board, offers a more granular breakdown of RDAs, broken down further by age and gender. You can view those RDAs on the National Institutes of Health fact sheet for Iron. Since our product is liquid, the dose can easily be adjusted to meet those recommendations (we’ve even done the calculations for you! Check out the dosage chart in the images or under the tab “Ingredients & Use”).
It is also very important to note that accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. If you determine that this product is suitable for your child, make sure they are taking no other products with additional iron and keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
Ultimately, in order to make the best health decisions possible for your little one, we recommend speaking with your pediatrician, physician, or healthcare professional to best determine what dose is best for your child.
Q: Why this form of Iron?
A: Our Liquid Iron, ferrous bisglycinate chelate, is chelated for enhanced absorption and may be more tolerable than iron salts. It has been found that this form of iron isn’t as inhibited when taken alongside food ingredients that typically lessen iron absorption (like polyphenols and phytate).1 Though there are many forms of iron available when it comes to supplementing, we believe that this form of iron may be the best choice for our customers.
Reference:
1. Iron and Chelation in Biochemistry and Medicine:
Q: I’ve heard you should take iron supplements with orange juice. Why is that?
A: Iron’s bioavailability is dependent upon several factors, including how it is taken, the source of iron, current iron status, and more.1 In one study, the absorption of iron from a standard meal was increased by 67% when taken with vitamin C.2
The reason that many suggest taking vitamin C to increase iron absorption is that together, an iron salt and vitamin C can form an iron chelate, which may be more bioavailable.3,4,5 Since our form of iron is already highly-bioavailable Ferrochel®, otherwise known as ferrous bisglycinate chelate, taking vitamin C alongside this supplement may or may not make a difference. If you so wish, you may still choose to take your daily dose of iron with a glass of orange juice or with our Vitamin C Gummies, Megadose Vitamin C Liposomal or Vitamin C Drops!
References:
1. Iron bioavailability and dietary reference values
2. Prediction of Dietary Iron Absorption:...
3. Effects of Vitamin C on Iron Absorption
4. Advantages and Limitations of Iron Amino Acid Chelates as Iron Fortificants
5. Redox Interactions of Vitamin C and Iron: Inhibition of the Pro-Oxidant Activity by Deferiprone
Q: Why not add Vitamin C to this formula?
A: We thought about it and decided not to add vitamin C to our formula. It came down to our customer requests! So many of you have requested that we make a straightforward iron supplement. We are always thinking ahead, though, and an Iron & Vitamin C just might be in our future if enough people request it!