We will never judge anyone for what they put into their bodies. That’s our motto. Life is full of complex decisions, and we all do our best in our circumstances. Instead, we offer information to help you feel knowledgeable about your choices.
One choice you may make is around how you get your dietary iron. It is rarely acknowledged that dietary iron, like most earth minerals, is sourced from specific rocks. Our bodies do not digest these types of minerals well on their own. The closer one gets to digesting the most natural form of earth minerals, such as iron, the harder it is to digest and absorb. Herbivores, however, eat an enormous amount of plants - each containing small quantities of iron, to get their required amounts - and consuming animal products is often how humans receive the amount of iron needed for health. While humans can get the necessary amount from plants, the form it is in is much harder to absorb, and therefore, we need to consume a large amount of those plants. This is possible with intentional dietary choices, but when our bodies need iron, as it can be for many menstruating folks, easy-to-absorb iron is preferred. Iron is made more bioavailable to humans from the blood of red meat and is called heme-iron—food chain stuff.
Biologically it is difficult to compete with the efficacy of heme-iron. However, when it comes to supplementation, many people choose non-animal source iron, which - as noted above - is challenging to absorb. The little nugget for you is that there is a hierarchy of iron supplements, and because we are looking out for you, we’ve chosen a top-tier source.
Our THRIVE and NOURISH formulas offer an earth-friendly, vegan-friendly source of iron called iron bisglycinate. Not only has it been shown to be gentler on the GI tract compared to consuming more standard forms of iron, and it absorbs into the body better. This is because of the glycine that is attached to the iron. If you are interested in reading more about the science behind iron bisglycinate, we have also provided our database link. For a quick snapshot, take a look at the benefits listed below.
Evidence-based relief and benefits from this super mineral:
- Feelings of fatigue and weakness can be caused by a lack of hemoglobin (oxygen-rich blood cells) carried from the lungs to the rest of the body. Iron levels in the body, when dipping too low, may contribute to this - supplementing with iron may be an option for improvement
- Brain function - we all need it in some way or another to get through our day. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are vital chemical worker bees behind cognitive functioning, and iron may be used as an assistant helper
- White blood cells fight off infections, unwanted bacteria, and viruses, which lower the immune system. Iron supports our white blood cells in doing their job
- ATP - or the molecule that gives our bodies energy is essential to life. Iron loves ATP and may make our lives more energized and less tired. We appreciate the helpers that allow us to work smarter, not harder
Minerals are a unique form of nutrients. Our bodies don’t naturally produce them - but require their properties to support optimal health. Minerals must be taken with caution - and this is reflected in our dosing, thanks to the guidance of our nutrition and medical team. To read more about iron, tap into our database below!
