Iron deficiency is when the body does not have enough stored iron (ferritin) to meet its needs. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, a protein on red blood cells that carry oxygen. Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells in the body for energy.

When ferritin stores are depleted and hemoglobin levels start to fall, leading to iron deficiency anemia. When hemoglobin blood levels drop the body can no longer carry enough oxygen to the body’s tissues. Ferritin is further depleted.

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency in adults include, but are not limited to:

• Cold hands and feet
• Craving ice, dirt, or clay (pica)
• Dark under-eye circles
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Heavy periods, hormone problems
• Irregular heartbeat
• Moodiness, anxiety, depression
• Muscle weakness, reduced physical stamina, tire easily
• Pale lining of eyelids
• Pale skin or lips
• Rapid breathing
• Reduced immunity
• Restless legs or leg cramps
• Sleep issues, tiredness
• Thin, brittle, curved nails
• Reduced immunity; frequent flu, colds, and infections
• Teeth grinding

• Dark under-eye circles
• Hair loss or thinning hair
• Thin, peeling, or spoon fingernails
• Moodiness, irritability, or tantrums
• Pale skin, lips, and eyelids
• Increased infections, colds, flu
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue or breathlessness
• Craving and eating non-food items like ice or dirt
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• ADHD-like behaviours
• Dizziness or brain fog
• Slow growth (short or small for age)

• Infants
• Children
• Teens
• Women
• Pregnancy
• Athletes
• Breastfeeding
• Seniors
• Vegans & vegetarians
• Picky or selective eaters
• Gut disorders (Crohn's, colitis, IBS)

Optimal iron levels are a ferritin of 100 ug/L or more. Symptoms of iron deficiency can appear when ferritin levels are below optimal.

In adults, the ferritin ranges are:

• 101 - 300 ug/L or higher - Optimal iron levels
• 51 - 100 ug/L - Possible iron deficiency
• 30 - 50 ug/L - Probable iron deficiency
• Less than 30 ug/L - Consistent with iron deficiency

In children, the ferritin ranges are:

• 101 - 300 ug/L or higher - Optimal iron levels
• 51 - 100 ug/L - Possible iron deficiency
• 20 - 50 ug/L - Probable iron deficiency
• Less than 20 ug/L - Consistent with iron deficiency

Iron is an essential nutrient for children's growth and development. Iron deficiency should be addressed immediately as chronic iron deficiency in children can result in long-lasting and irreversible negative health effects.

The iron in BioFe® is a vegan form called iron pyrophosphate, and it is micronized and microencapsulated that is easy to absorb and eliminates side effects associated with other types of iron, such as constipation, digestive upset, stained teeth, and metallic taste.

Micronized and microencapsulated iron is a vegan form of iron. Micronizing is a process that changes the surface area of the iron increasing the iron’s absorbability. Micronizing also makes it completely dispersible in liquids.

Microencapsulation is a process where the iron is wrapped in a protective coating. This coating eliminates the common side effects of other types of iron, such as constipation, upset stomach, stained gray teeth, and metallic taste. Microencapsulation optimizes iron absorption by allowing the iron to travel intact, past the stomach, into the small intestine where iron is readily absorbed. It also ensures that the iron tastes great.

BioFe® iron supplements can be taken at any time because the microencapsulated iron does not compete with other minerals, like calcium, that can inhibit iron absorption.

Iron supplements should state the amount of elemental iron, which is the amount of iron that the body can absorb. The amount of elemental iron in a supplement varies depending on the type of iron used; some are better absorbed than others. BioFe® iron is an excellent form of elemental iron. Other types of iron may be labelled as “high-dose,” however, the stated amount of iron is not necessarily the “elemental” amount. The amount of iron listed on BioFe® iron labels is the elemental iron per dose.

The amount of elemental iron is listed on the label of each BioFe® Iron product:

• BioFe® Liquid Iron in Sachets: 30mg per 5mL (1 sachet)
• BioFe+® Liquid Iron: 15mg per 5mL (teaspoon)
• BioFe® Iron Chewable Tablet Grape Flavour: 10mg per tablet
• BioFe® Iron Chewable Tablet Sweet Blast: 5mg per tablet
• BioFe® Pure Iron Drops: 10mg per 20 drops
  

Yes, all BioFe® iron products are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and non-GMO.

No, BioFe® iron does not contain artificial colours, flavours, or sweeteners. BioFe® iron supplements are sweetened with xylitol.

Everyone can benefit from taking a daily iron supplement because most people are not eating enough iron-rich foods to meet their daily requirements to prevent becoming iron deficient. BioFe® iron is made for all ages; infants to seniors.

Yes. BioFe® liquid iron formats are suitable for all ages 0 months and up and the chewable tablets are for age 3 years and up. Follow the directions on the label for the appropriate dosage for each age group.

Yes, you can take BioFe® iron along with your prenatal vitamin.

No, you do not need a doctor’s prescription to take BioFe® Iron. The dosage on the label is a daily maintenance dose to help prevent iron deficiency. However, we encourage everyone to get an iron blood test to know your exact iron levels. You can have low iron before any symptoms appear.

If you have iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, you need more than the daily maintenance to correct it, also known as a therapeutic dose. If you are working with a healthcare provider to correct an iron deficiency, you can take BioFe® iron at the prescribed therapeutic dose.

You do not need to get blood work to start taking BioFe iron supplements for daily iron maintenance. However, we always recommend getting a blood iron test to confirm your iron levels.

Yes, we recommend taking BioFe® iron every day to help prevent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.

Taking BioFe® iron every day helps prevent you from becoming iron deficient. Most people do not eat enough iron to meet their daily needs to prevent a deficiency.

Follow the instructions on the label for each delivery format. It is not necessary to mix BioFe® iron products with other foods or liquids.

You can take BioFe® iron any time that is convenient for you.

You do not need to take BioFe® iron with vitamin C as the micronized and microencapsulated iron already optimizes absorption. However, Vitamin C is beneficial to help your body absorb iron from food sources.

BioFe® iron supplements can be taken at any time because the microencapsulated iron does not compete with other minerals, like calcium, that can inhibit iron absorption. However, if you have an iron deficiency then it is best to be mindful of your caffeine consumption. It is best to avoid calcium-rich foods when eating foods containing iron.

Take BioFe® iron 2 hours away from medications and other natural health products.

BioFe® chewable iron tablets are tiny and easy-to-chew or swallow, however you can crush the tablets if you like.

You can take BioFe® iron every day indefinitely to help prevent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. BioFe® iron helps fill in the nutritional gaps as most people do not eat enough iron-rich foods every day to meet their daily requirements.

If you have been diagnosed with low iron or iron deficiency, your healthcare provider should have prescribed a therapeutic dose. You can take BioFe® iron at the prescribed therapeutic dose.

If you have an iron deficiency, it can take several months of eating iron-rich foods and consistently supplementing at a therapeutic dose to restore iron levels. Work with your healthcare provider and take BioFe® iron at the therapeutic dose as directed.

Regular iron blood tests can confirm if your hemoglobin and ferritin levels are improving. You may also see an improvement in your iron deficiency symptoms, such as higher energy levels, hair growing in thicker, stronger nails, healthier-looking skin complexion, better sleep quality, improved mood, and more.

If you are seeing a healthcare provider to investigate a possible iron deficiency, they should be sending you to get blood work to find out your hemoglobin and ferritin levels.

Once an iron deficiency is corrected, it is best to continue taking BioFe® iron supplements at a daily maintenance dose to prevent becoming deficient again.

You cannot get too much iron from taking the daily maintenance dose as that is the amount of iron your body needs every day to function and prevent a deficiency.

Iron poisoning and iron overload are serious health conditions that can harm your health; however, it is important to understand the causes and risk factors of each.

Iron poisoning occurs when a large amount of iron is taken in a short period of time. The most common occurrence of iron poisoning is when children ingest a large amount of an adult product that is very high in iron. Iron poisoning is much less common in adults.

Iron overload occurs when ferritin levels are so high they are no longer in the healthy range. Generally, iron overload is when ferritin is on the range is more than 600 ug/L in children and adults. There are certain genetic conditions that can increase the risk of iron overload. These conditions include hemochromatosis, sickle cell disease, and thalassemia. Even for those with these genetic conditions, the daily maintenance dose of BioFe® iron is not enough to risk iron poisoning or iron overload, even after long term use.

Keep BioFe® iron supplements away and out of reach of children and pets in a cool and dry place. BioFe® iron contains xylitol which is toxic to animals.

The lot and expiry should be located either on the neck of the bottle or printed on the label or packaging.