A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in Nutrition Reviews found that, in pregnant women, a form of supplemental iron called ferrous bisglycinate had significantly greater efficacy at raising hemoglobin, a biomarker of anemia and iron status, compared to other iron salts in a population of pregnant women. Additionally, this ingredient comparatively had a 64% lower rate of gastrointestinal adverse events than other iron salts.
 
The other iron salts investigated in the meta-analysis included ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, carbonyl iron, iron multi-amino acid chelate, ferrous ascorbate, sodium feredetate, ferrous glycine sulfate, and polymaltose iron.
 
The research was conducted by a team of University of British Columbia researchers in Vancouver, and utilized multiple chelated iron products, including ingredient supplier Balchem’s Albion Minerals Ferrochel, which is a ferrous bisglycinate.
 
Iron deficiency effects over 40% of women of childbearing age in certain countries, and is considered a worldwide issue. A leading barrier preventing the usage of iron supplements is untoward digestive side effects.
 
Not All Iron Supplements Are the Same
 
In the present meta-analysis, the authors reviewed 17 randomized controlled trials, which focused on 1,100 children and pregnant women and investigated the primary outcomes of iron status and GI effects.
 
Ferrous bisglycinate supplementation led to greater improvements in hemoglobin concentrations among pregnant women, as well as greater changes in ferritin, a second iron status biomarker.
 
However, changes in ferritin didn’t reach significant status compared to other iron supplements, which could’ve been attributed to reporting adjustments between trials. Additionally, differences failed to reach clinical significance in the children’s group, but there was a relatively small number of children’s trials included and differences in study designs.
 
Upcoming Research on Ferrous Bisglycinate
 
Following these results, Balchem has commissioned a new clinical trial on Ferrochel in pregnant women with the same research team, and aims to begin recruitment in the fall of this year. The research will compare optimal forms of iron across various ages and life stages.
 
“These findings are important as they confirm that not all oral iron supplements should be considered as equal. The ideal form of iron in prenatal multiple micronutrients should be highly bioavailable and have a low risk of gastrointestinal side effects in order to optimize adherence and reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Ultimately, our findings show promise for ferrous bisglycinate as a superior form of supplemental iron compared to iron salts”, said Crystal Karakochuk, assistant professor of food, nutrition, and health at The University of British Columbia, and the lead researcher on the study.
 
“We’re pleased to see that this latest study provides further evidence to show the enhanced efficacy and tolerability that ferrous bisglycinate, such as Ferrochel®, is commonly associated with”, said Jonathan Bortz, MD, vice president of nutrition science at Balchem. “For decades now, we have been investigating the role iron can play in supporting healthy pregnancies and we are confident that additional data will provide additional proof of the superiority of ferrous bisglycinate over other iron salts.”