The in vivo research revealed in Scientific Experiences, which evaluated iron bioavailability and gastrointestinal tolerability in iron-deficient rats, discovered that Lubrizol’s formulation outperformed typical choices reminiscent of ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate and different encapsulated iron salts.
“Curiosity in iron supplementation is increasing past being pregnant, to males, athletes, youthful ladies with heavy menstruation, individuals involved about fatigue, and even magnificence from inside, contemplating pale pores and skin or darkish circles,” Alan Connolly, world R&D supervisor of nutra at Lubrizol and co-author of the brand new analysis, instructed NutraIngredients.
“From a human perspective, these outcomes might be helpful for sports activities diet, for both quicker bulking or higher power utilization.”
Lowered unintended effects in anaemia remedy
Anaemia affected an estimated 1.9 billion individuals in 2021, the commonest type of which was iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA). Iron dietary supplements reminiscent of ferrous sulfate, gluconate, or fumarate are widespread complement options for IDA, nevertheless, they’ll set off gastrointestinal unintended effects, together with nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhoea, which may scale back remedy adherence.
To handle these limitations, researchers are creating new methods that enhance iron bioavailability and scale back unintended effects, Connolly instructed NI.
“Microencapsulation encloses iron in a protecting matrix that forestalls undesirable interactions, stabilizes the ingredient, and permits managed launch within the abdomen or gut,” he mentioned.
“This method can enhance absorption, improve sensory qualities, and improve tolerability by limiting contact between unabsorbed iron and gastrointestinal tissue or intestine microbiota.”
Microencapsulated iron exhibits excessive bioavailability
The researchers evaluated 4 iron dietary supplements: ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate, and two microencapsulated iron pyrophosphates, certainly one of which was Lipofer and one other branded ingredient. They supplemented rats with a rat-equivalent dose akin to 80 mg of elemental iron in people.
They used 60 male Wistar rats, 50 of whom acquired a low-iron eating regimen for twenty-four days and 10 of whom served as controls and acquired an iron-sufficient eating regimen. The iron-deficient rats had been then assigned to 5 completely different intervention teams.
Over 21 days, the researchers ran an iron-repletion section the place they administered every iron complement orally in low-fat condensed milk after 5 hours of fasting, whereas rats continued on the low-iron eating regimen. They then fed all rats a normal-iron eating regimen for 9 weeks whereas persevering with supplementation to evaluate gastrointestinal tolerability, amassing feces throughout weeks 5 and 9.
The researchers assessed haemoglobin ranges on days 0, 14, and 21, and calculated iron content material in haemoglobin, haemoglobin regeneration effectivity, and relative bioavailability values. They analysed serum iron, complete iron-binding capability (TIBC), transferrin saturation, and unsaturated iron-binding capability (UIBC) on days 0 and 21.
On the endpoint, the researchers collected blood and gastrointestinal tissues, measuring serum iron parameters, circulating hepcidin, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-10).
Outcomes indicated all iron sources corrected iron deficiency inside 14 days of supplementation; nevertheless, as Connolly defined, Lipofer confirmed the next absorption price than the opposite micronized iron ingredient as a result of it produced a larger drop in TIBC and transferrin and a bigger rise in hemoglobin. Lipofer additionally generated extra iron foci, which Connolly mentioned indicated environment friendly M-cell absorption.
“All of the rats recovered from anemia inside 14 days throughout the efficient iron sources,” Connolly mentioned. “This tells us our product is as bioavailable as ferrous sulfate and the opposite benchmark components.”
“Most significantly, our product produced considerably fewer inflammatory unintended effects. Ferrous sulfate, for instance, elevated IL-6 ranges, indicating intestinal irritation. Our product didn’t.
“Inflammatory markers like IL-6 are the identical in rats and people, so this interprets effectively.”
Connolly defined the encapsulation allowed for gradual launch, so as a substitute of overwhelming absorption pathways and inflicting unintended effects, it releases iron gently over time, bettering tolerability.
“Micronizing ferric pyrophosphate will increase floor space, which improves uptake and permits pure absorption pathways to work extra effectively, decreasing unintended effects,” he mentioned.
“Pregnant ladies particularly battle with tolerability. They know they want iron, they wish to take it, however the unintended effects are troublesome. It is a light, efficient different.
“The class has gained consideration – iron is turning into mainstream, and iron deficiency with out GI upset is a giant subject.”
Supply: Scientific Experiences doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07202-3 “Comparative research of the results of various iron sources on bioavailability and gastrointestinal tolerability in iron-deficient rats.” Authors: R. Mariné-Casadó et al.
