Supplemental Sources of Iron
and Facts About Iron

Supplemental sources of iron should definitely be an organic iron, but the best iron supplements may be foods like black strap molasses.

Learn some facts about iron to help you understand its role inside your body.

I think the best iron supplements should be as natural as you can get.

Black strap molasses is not only a great source of iron, but it contains a good amount of B6 plus other vital minerals.

You definitely should think twice before using an iron supplement and Organic iron would be the only type of iron I would consider using.

Facts About Iron

• Most common Nutrient Deficiency
• Adults absorb 5 to 15% of Dietary Iron
• Essential part of Hemoglobin
• Essential part of Myoglobin in Muscles
• Essential for Making Certain Enzymes
• Involved with Bone Health & Bone Density
• Co-factor to Enzymes involved with Growth
• Promotes the Formation of Carnitine
• Helps with ATP Production & DNA Synthesis
• Involved in Serotonin and Dopamine Synthesis
• Important for Normal Brain Function
• Important for Healthy Immune System
• Helps to alleviate Weakness & Dizziness

Best Iron Supplements

The best sources of iron may be foods that are high in iron like liver, clams, and oysters. Clams are probably the highest food source of iron.

Increasing your intake of vitamin C can enhance and even double absorption of non-heme iron.

Black Strap Molasses

Black strap molasses may be one of the best supplemental sources of iron - natural iron.

In addition to iron, it has calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, and vitamin B6. Copper is very involved with iron utilization as well as B vitamins.

Black strap molasses is the third boiling of cane sugar which results in a dark colored and strong tasting syrup.

Black strap has been used as a "blood builder" for centuries. There are even claims that people have reversed gray hair with the consumption of this syrup.

You can add this syrup to pancakes, water, milk, cereals, and smoothies if you so desire. One tablespoon will give you approximately 3.6 mgs of iron.

The best black strap molasses to use as supplemental sources of iron are unsulfured and organic.

Organic Iron

Inorganic iron includes ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous phosphate.

Organic iron will probably be better absorbed and probably less constipating than inorganic forms of iron.

Inorganic supplements like ferrous sulfate are known to cause great intestinal distress like flatulence and constipation. This type of iron is also known to destroy vitamin E.

Unfortunately ferrous sulfate is the most common form of iron you'll find in iron supplements and in iron enriched foods.

Excessive iron can be toxic to your body, so speaking to a health care provider and possibly taking a blood test or two before taking iron supplements may be a good idea.

Iron RDA

• 7 to 12 months..........11 milligrams
• 1 to 3 years...............7 milligrams
• 4 to 8 years..............10 milligrams
• 9 to 13 years..............8 milligrams
• 14 to 18 years...........11 milligrams
• 19 to 50 years.............8 milligrams
• 51+ years...................8 milligrams

Females

• 7 to 12 months..........11 milligrams
• 1 to 3 years...............7 milligrams
• 4 to 8 years..............10 milligrams
• 9 to 13 years..............8 milligrams
• 14 to 18 years...........15 milligrams
• 19 to 50 years...........18 milligrams
• 51+ years...................8 milligrams

People most at Risk for Low Iron Levels

Pregnant and Lactating Women

Women who experience Heavy Menstruation Cycles

Vegans and Strict Vegetarians

Athletes and Teenagers

People with Celiac Disease

People who use Aspirin Regularly

People who consume High Amounts of Coffee

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