Jarrow Formulas IronSorb contains Iron Protein Succinylate (IPS), a chelated iron complex that is specially prepared to reduce irritation of the stomach in comparison to other forms of iron. IPS is gentle to the stomach because it dissolves in the intestines.

Iron is an essential trace mineral required as a component of hemoglobin and myoglobin for transport of oxygen to tissues. Supplementing with iron can become essential during pregnancy or during times of frenetic growth for teenage males and females

benefits
• indicated as a complimentary treatment for anemia
• used by many endurance athletes
• causes no constipation

background reading

IronSorb™ contains iron protein succinylate (IPS), an iron complex that is specially prepared to reduce irritation of the stomach in comparison to other forms of iron.
Iron is an essential trace mineral required as a component of hemoglobin and myoglobin for transport of oxygen to tissues.
Supplemental iron is essential during pregnancy and for many teenage males and females.

There are a number of circumstances in which the body’s need for iron may increase beyond normal. For instance, endurance athletics places special demands upon the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and, at the same time, may damage blood cells due to excessive strike force on the feet in the case of long distance running.
Many athletes, including most female athletes, exhibit low to mid-range hemoglobin values. Depending on the sport and other factors, 8 - 58% of male athletes and 40 – 80% of female athletes exhibit anemia, numbers far higher than in the populace at large. Hence, the name “sports anemia.” Exercise performance, especially aerobic / endurance performance, can be significantly impaired by iron deficiency.

Moreover, it has been shown that tissue iron deficiency without anemia as normally measured can be important and corrected leading to improved performance with iron supplementation. It is suspected that iron deficiency may play a role in some attention, mood and behavioral issues as well as in some gastrointestinal disorders and in other areas.
Blood loss can be a source of iron deficiency. Menstrual blood loss accounts for the primary reason for iron deficiency among women.
Gastrointestinal bleeding is the primary cause of iron deficiency among adult males. Volunteer blood donors also may experience iron deficiency if blood is given three or more times per year.

Iron deficiency in the general populace in the US is estimated as follows:
Ages 1 – 2: 9% (males & females)
Ages 3 – 10: 6% (males & females)
Ages 11 – 14: 4-12% (males) & 6% (females)
Ages 15 – 44: 2% (males) & 3-14% (females

Special cases of risk of deficiency include those consuming diets low in both meat and vitamin C, donation of blood more than three times per year, adolescents, male and female athletes (especially teenage endurance athletes), the elderly and those who taken aspirin regularly.

Mechanisms of Action
Most of the iron in the body is found in the hemoglobin of red blood cells and in the myoglobin of muscle cells; it is required for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport. The functional groups of several enzymes in the Krebs cycle contain iron. Many neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, require iron for their synthesis. Iron deficiency anemia in early life seems to negatively affect behavioral and neural development.

Absorption
Iron protein succinylate (IPS) offers a special case of both improved absorption and fewer gastrointestinal issues. With most iron supplements, absorption is variable and better on an empty stomach than with food, however GI-tract issues are considerably more common when iron is taken on an empty stomach. In contrast, IPS dissolves in the small intestine to yield ferric iron for rapid absorption.
IPS is less irritating because it does not dissolve in the low pH (acid conditions) of the stomach and its uptake is not affected significantly by food consumption.

Safety, Adverse Reactions and Interactions
Safe when used as directed, but iron can cause gastrointestinal issues in sensitive individuals. There are drug interactions. On the one hand, iron decreases the absorption of a number of drugs if these are ingested at the same time. These drugs include bisphosphonates, levodopa, levothyroxine, Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept) and a large number of antibiotics. On the other hand, some common drugs interfere with iron. These include aminosalicylic acid, antacids, cholestyramine, H2 blockers and pancreatic enzymes. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under the age of six.