EFFECTIVENESS OF AMINO-ACID CHELATED IRON IN PREVENTING AND TREATING ANEMIA

Mark A. Pedersen, Director of Research Albion Laboratories, Inc, Clear field, Utah

A review of the results of using Bis (glycinato) iron, CAS RN 20150-34-9 sold worldwide under the trade name of Ferrochel in treating and preventing iron deficiency anemia is presented.

Over 20% of the world population are affected by iron deficiency anemia; it is the most common nutrient deficiency in man. In developing countries, iron deficiency is of such magnitude that it may affect over 60% of the population, it is more pronounced among infants, adolescents, women of child bearing years, pregnant women, and athletes, in children it has been associated with apathy, short attention span, irritability and a decrease in learning ability. Mineral depleted soils, refined foods, and food selection by the population mean that even in developed nations, up to 60% of the population does not consume the Recommended Daily intake of iron.

Six considerations regarding iron therapy are brought to issue: Bioavailability, Tolerance, Effectiveness, and Potential for interaction, Safety, and cost of therapy.

(Studies show Ferrochel to be absorbed at an apparent rate of 75%, 3,7 times that of ferrous sulfate. Patients taking Ferrochel report no gastric side effects or constipation. Anemic adolescents taking 30 mg of iron each day as Ferrochel show equivalent gains in hemoglobin and ferritin after four weeks when compared to anemic adolescents taking 120 mg of iron as ferrous sulfate each day. When used to fortify margarine, Ferrochel does not increase the rancidity rate of fatty acids. Foods fortified with Ferrochel have no adverse taste or colors. When bioavailability and toxicity are combined, Ferrochel is nearly 10 times as safe as using ferrous sulfate. The cost to successfully raise hemoglobin and ferritin levels in anemic populations using Ferrochel is one-third the cost of using ferrous sulfate.

Because of the bioavailability and effectiveness of Ferrochel, the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil has lowered the RD1 for iron to 3 mg when iron source is Ferrochel. Similar notations of effectiveness are mandated in the labeling regulations of foods fortified with Ferrochel in South Africa. Treating and preventing iron deficiency anemia with Ferrochel is efficient and cost effective, it is being used successfully to fortify milk, sugar, flour, and corn meal.