Molecule Ferrous Sulphate Ferrous Fumarate Carbonyl Iron Ferrous Ascorbate Ferrous Bisglycinate

Class Inorganic Inorganic Elemental Technological Chelated

Elemental iron % Gastric Stability 20 33 100 14 20 Irritant Irritant Irritant Less Irritant Less Irritant

Form Administered Solid Solid Solid Solid Solid Oral Oral Oral Oral Oral

Dose

Bioavailab ility 17% 22% NA 70% 83%

Phytate Inhibition No No No No Yes

Rise in Serum Ferritin Level (12 Weeks) NA NA 32.33 27.02 ng/ml to 49.31 50.14 ng/ml 32.41 22.75 ng/ml to 93.34 89.48 ng/ml NA

Ferrous Ascorbate Advantages 1 2 3 4 5 Ferrous iron is absorbed three times more than ferric iron. In ferric hydroxide Ascorbic acid inhibits the conversion of ferrous to ferric iron; this leads to increased absorption of iron. Even if ferric iron is generated by oxidation of ferrous iron, including that from dietary source, it combines with ascorbate component of ferrous ascorbate to form a chelate and this complex remains soluble even in the alkaline pH of the small intestine Ascorbic acid is also known to inhibit the effect of ligands like phytates, tannins, phosphates and polyphenols which inhibit iron absorption again by oxidation of ferrous iron. Ferrous Ascorbate: The product resulting by reacting ascorbic acid and iron. This has fantastic absorption as ascorbic acid enhances absorption of iron. Ascorbic acid reduces ferric iron to ferrous iron which remains soluble even at neutral pH.

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