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Iron (Fe)

Iron is essential for transporting oxygen in the bloodstream but can be challenging to digest.  Iron is an essential mineral that plays an important role in metabolizing oxygen.

Albion® offers a chelated form of iron “Ferrous Bisglycinate” which bind iron to amino acids of low molecular weight to produce a natural, organic chelate that remains intact in the stomach and is small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal wall.  

Iron plays two key roles:

Structural

Iron is a key component of proteins such as hemoglobin and myoglobin.

Functional

Iron has multiple oxidation states (-2 to +6) which allow it to bind to multiple atoms (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur). Inorganic iron supplements, such as ferrous sulfate can cause gastric upset.

Health Benefits of Iron

When Iron is added to products, it can help support:

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Energy

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Immune Health

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Cognitive Function

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Red Blood Cells & Oxygen Transport

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Fetal and Infant Development

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional disorder in the world.

It is an important component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to tissues and helps fight fatigue. It is also essential to healthy cell function and helps form many of the proteins and enzymes that maintain good health.

Managing the organoleptic profile is key to successfully creating applications to help close nutrient gaps. Iron deficiency is a major global challenge. 21% of women at the age between 19 and 50 in the US show inadequate iron levels from their diet alone. We have solutions to address it.

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Supporting Active Lifestyles

The properties of our two iron ingredients make them an excellent solution to problems caused by iron salt forms, such as ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate.

When iron is added to products it can help support your consumer’s active lifestyle. Our minerals and technologies offer solutions for various markets.

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The benefits of Iron Bisglycinate are recognized by leading experts.

The WHO states that Iron Bisglycinate Chelate is significantly better absorbed than iron sulfate (the so-called “gold standard”), particularly in the presence of Anti-Nutrients such as phytates.

Because Iron Bisglycinate meets the criteria set forth by the WHO – excellent performance in applications, high bioavailability, and resistance to interference from Anti-Nutrients – Iron Bisglycinate is listed by the WHO as a suggested iron fortificant for fluid milk, juice, and soft drink applications.

WHO iron guidelines

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)1, nearly 1 billion people worldwide are affected by anemia. In the United States, the problem of iron inadequacy is widespread, with iron being named a “dietary component of public health concern” by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Iron deficiency is sadly prevalent, affecting nearly 7% of children aged 1-5y in the United States and nearly 10% of girls and women (age 12-49y).

— World Health Organization (WHO)

With all these benefits, does Iron Bisglycinate help to improve nutrition and public health?

A great case study performed in Costa Rica demonstrated that iron deficiency and anemia were commonplace. Between 1999-2001, national fortification standards were revised to mandate that maize flour, liquid, and powdered milk were to be fortified with Iron Bisglycinate.

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The results were impressive.

Comparing the prevalence of iron nutrition-related complications among children aged 1-7y from before and after the updates to the fortification policy.

  • The prevalence of anemia declined by nearly 80%
  • The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia declined by nearly 75%
  • The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was virtually eradicated

Milk fortified with Iron Bisglycinate was found to be the largest contributor of fortified iron among these children. Thus, demonstrating the impact that fortifying dairy products with Iron Bisglycinate can have on public health.

Explore our Iron Products

Explore our products to see how each has a unique function and offers important health benefits to your consumer.

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