Iron capsules

doctor_gonzo

Hi!

Quick question - I have been slightly anaemic for the last few weeks so the chemist suggested I take Galfer capsules to up my iron levels. However, the iron capsules themselves are made with gelatine, does anyone know if this is animal sourced gelatine? I don't want to be taking an iron supplement that is made using an animal product!! Cheers!

KazDub

I'm taking the Galfer FA and checked the label on them. The coating is made of some kind of wood pulp derivative and is suitable for us veggies, if that's any help.

Nature Boy

If it says gelatine then it's not veggie. I'm taking the seven seas vegan multi vitimans and they've got 100% rda of iron so obviously it's possible to get veggie iron supplements

Tar.Aldarion

As natureboy says.
Also you can get injections, but a bit much maybe.

Iron tablets are hard on your tummy and can temporaraily stain your tongue and teeth black.
The best supplement in my opinion is Spatone, a natural iron rich water, which you should mix with a vitamen C containging juice, to aid absorption.

CuppaCocoa

Agree with Moonbaby. I use Spatone daily as iron tablets upset my stomach also. Just mix with a little juice and it's tastless. Don't drink tea for a while afterward though as it will affect the absorbtion.

kraggy

One of the most highly recommended Iron sources/supplements that doctors suggest is Floradix.

It's in all chemists here. The ingredients (as can be seen in the link below) are all plant-based except for honey.

I found it really good.

http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/frameset/detail/933164.html

And the Floravit version is Vegan friendly.

The only difference between the 2 is that the latter doesn't contain honey.

***Whichever you get, make sure you get the liquid and not the tablets, absorb quicker and more effectively***

Peanut

Yeah Floradix is fun but it tends to stain your teeth badly, unfortunately..

Careful pouring would solve that particular problem, but meh.. can still be tricky if you are over eager to get a shot of the liquid goodness.

Mentalmiss

Do you know why you are low in iron.
It may not ne that you are taking to little but that you absorbing too little from what you do take in.
Too many times doctors treat the symptoms and not the disease. Take a look at the following link. If nothing else it will give you a laugh
Shortcut to: http://www.mercola.com/townofallopath/index.htm

Cathy

I take Spatone, but the aftertaste makes me gag.

Even trying to disguise it with juice doesn't help, it just feels like drinking blood.

Tar.Aldarion

Funnily enough, I quite like the taste of blood.

8track

One should consider finding out if an iron supplement is required before taking. Apparently, there is a high incidence of haemochromatosis in Ireland, a condition where one absorbs too much iron. A GP can check this, I understand by checking ferritin levels and/or a genetic test. Ironically, some of the symptoms are similar to anaemia, e.g. fatigue.

mary byrne

Hi there,

I have been diagnosed with low Vit B12 and low iron store and now need to take an iron supplement.

I just started taking Spatone yesterday. Can anyone say how long it takes for the levels to come up and for one to start feeling less tired?

Also does Spatone cause any teeth staining?

Also has anyone tried Floradix and Spatone and can they say which one is better?I believe Floradix causes tooth staining not sure about Spatone

sweet-rasmus

you would be best asking in your local chemist.

Mick Rice

Folks,
I'm an endurance athlete and have an interest in keeping my Iron levels quite high. I'm not an expert but afaik in terms of immediate performance it's my haemoglobin count that's most relevant and I've previously floated around the 14 mark for this measure. Have only been eating a veggie diet for about 10 months and am worried that my iron levels will fall over time. Have had a blood test yesterday to get some concrete feedback but don't have a result yet. I have always taken a Ferrograd C tablet to guard against my iron levels falling and it's only recently occured to me that this supplement may or may not contain meat products. If anyone could inform me on that side of things I'd appreciate it. Aside from the supplement I try to eat dried fruit which I was told was a good iron source but aside from that have very little else in my diet that specifically boosts Iron. In my case I'm guessing I need something quite potent to guard agains anemia as I'm training reasonable hard (roughly 90 - 100 miles per week running). Any/all advice on supplements or additions to my diet that I could make would be appreciated,

Mick.

sweet-rasmus

well, if your iron supplement is in a capsule, that capsule is most likely made using gelatin. Ask in the chemist if they have a vegetarian form of iron. They must do seen as iron is a top concern for vegetarians.

Mick Rice

No, it's not in a capsule it's a little hard red capsule shaped tablet. I've trawled the web befor and can't seem to verify it's status. Thought someone here might have known from their own research.

Tar.Aldarion

Hello mick, does ot not say it on the packet in ingredients? Maybe ask the chemist etc(if you buy it there)?

Iron rich foods include dried fruits(weight for weight dried apricots contain
four times more iron than lamb does)nuts(especially brazils),wholegrains,dried peas,
beans and lentils,leafy green vegetables,molasses and egg yokes.
Eating food with vit c in it does help boost the amount of iron you absorb from food.

Mick Rice

Tar.Aldarion - Thanks - I've often asked in the Chemist and I generally get a blank look and then the person takes out the leaflet in the box which I already know isn't conclusive one way or t'other.

However have just found this reference on www.vegsoc.org.au saying that they are not veretarian.

"I have called the manufacturer today of FGF and Ferrograd-C (Abbott Australasia) and they informed me that ALL their iron supplements contain magnesium stearate which is bovine derived... therefore NOT VEGETARIAN!" (http://www.vegsoc.org.au/forum_messages.asp?Thread_ID=8085&Topic_ID=6)

I already consume most of what you've kindly listed and all I can do I suppose is to be careful to steer towards these particular foods when I have a choice. Apricots are one fruit I havn't been eating and I'll certainly grab some of them in the next few days. If I can find an iron supplement that's quite strong and 'kosher' so to speak, I'll report back.

taram

Magnesium stearate...bovine? :eek: never heard of this being animal dervived, sh!t! This is in all but one of the meds I'm taking right now

sweet-rasmus

Hmmm, I had never watched out for this one before. Won't be forgetting that name any time soon!

Tar.Aldarion

It is eitehr plant or animal derived so depending on your meds, you could be fine. I believe it is generally plant based, in fact.
Good luck in the search mick. I know my mother takes Iron injections which could be ok, but may be a bit far for your case! I on the other hand will never have this problem as I have too much iron naturally and haven't really looked into it. Spinach has a lot doesn't it?
Here I'll look some up...

# beans, including kidney, lima, navy, black, pinto, soy beans, and lentils
# iron fortified whole grains, including cereals, breads, rice, and pasta
# greens, including collard greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, and turnip greens
# tofu
# vegetables, including broccoli, swiss chard, asparagus, parsley, watercress, brussel sprouts
# blackstrap molasses
# nuts
# egg yolks
# dried fruits, such as raisins, prunes, dates and apricots

Here is a random site with some numbers:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/iron-rich-food.htm

Ground thyme seems to be the way forward, 124mg has 688% of your iron RDA.
Others there are very high too.

writetojd

Just to add to the previous posts that Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron better. Unfortunately I have the opposite problem to most of you. My iron levels are on the high end of the scale. Was told to cut back on the juices and only drink it in small amounts and not with food so the opposite could be helpful with all the previous advice.

sweet-rasmus

Ah yes, hemochromatosis I presume? It's fairly common here in Ireland. I have a friend with this condition and worry about him drinking orange juice with his meals, especially if high iron foods like spinach are present.