Ferritin - Bioavailable Iron

Ferritin is an iron binding protein as opposed to the inorganic iron which is usually used in iron supplements. It is rapidly absorbed & free of the gastrointestinal side effects frequently found with other iron products. Ferritin does not promote oxidation to the extent of the inorganic irons, nor does it deplete antioxidant defenses.*

Iron is a structural component of hemoglobin which carries oxygen to every cell in your body. About 70% of your total body iron is present as hemoglobin, 3% is present in your muscles as myoglobin, & the rest is found in ferritin which, together with hemosiderin, forms the major storage sources of iron.*

Women lose iron with menstruation & require a greater intake than men. Many pre-menopausal women have low ferritin (iron storage) levels. About 25% of the women in this age group that Dr. Slagle tests have low ferritin levels.*

Infants, adolescents, pregnant women, the elderly, vegetarians, & those with low stomach acid are frequently iron deficient.*

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency world-wide & is seen commonly in Dr. Slagle's practice. Those at highest risk for iron deficiency are vegetarians, teenagers, children, junk food eaters, pre-menopausal women, the elderly, those with recurrent infections, those chronically using aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medicines, and those with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.*

Chronically low iron causes numerous adverse changes in your immune system, resulting in recurrent colds, flus, & other infections. Many children with repeated infections are suffering from low iron levels.*

Iron carries & releases oxygen from your red blood cells & is the main determinant of the oxygen supply to your cells.

Iron prticipates in the energy production systems in your body by several mechanisms & low iron leads to chronic fatigue & lethargy.

Iron status significantly relates to cognitive performance & mood by impacting your brain neurotransmitter function. Decreased iron levels lead to poor concentration, impaired attention span, poor learning, & low moods.

The best blood test for determining iron status is serum ferritin, which measures the level of stored iron available in your body. Dr. Slagle considers any level less than mid-normal to be capable of detracting from health & requiring dietary change or supplementation.*

If you are in the high risk group or have a constellation of the deficiency symptoms listed below, supplementation is likely indicated. Do not use if you have a liver disorder or do not fit the group at risk for deficiency, unless you have a serum ferritin test.

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY :

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Listlessness
• Impaired learning
• Poor memory
• Decreased attention span
• Irritability
• Dizziness
• Appetite loss
• Constipation
• Difficulty swallowing
• Joint soreness
• Asthma
• Sores on skin
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Sore or burning tongue
• Brittle, flat, or spoon shaped nails
• Longitudinal ridges on nails
• Heart palpitations on exertion
• Shortness of breath
• Cold extremities
• Decreased resistance to infection
• Anemia (hypochromic, microcytic)
• Numbness & tingling
• Night sweats
• Fragile bones
• Growth impairment
• Eye soreness

See Also Energizing Iron

May be used with good tolerance in children.

For more information see Dr Slagle's "IRON DEFICIENCY / IRON EXCESS / HEMOCHROMATOSIS" newsletter

FOOD SOURCES OF IRON; dark molasses, dried fruits, dried beans, egg yolk, cocoa, enriched cereals, whole grain cereals, all legumes, green leafy vegetables, heart, liver, kidney, lean meats, nuts, peaches, soy beans, wheat germ, seafoods.

DIRECTIONS: Take 1-6 capsules daily in 1-3 divided doses, depending upon needs. This form of iron is best absorbed when taken without food, when possible.

Avoid iron supplementation in cases of acute pancreatitis.

Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Silicon Dioxide

Wheat Free, Soy Free, Yeast Free, Corn Free

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Further information is available in Dr Priscilla Slagle's medical issue Newsletters

For more guidance on how to use nutritional supplementation, go to Dr Slagle's individual website.
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