Ferrous bisglycinate:Efficacy, Benefits and Side effects

Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders, affecting an estimated 2 billion people globally. It has serious consequences on human health and development at all stages of life. In infants and young children, iron deficiency may impair cognitive and psychomotor development and decrease physical activity levels. In adults, it can result in fatigue and reduce work capacity, burdening national economic growth.[1]

Ferrous bisglycinate is a novel amino acid iron chelate that is thought to be more bioavailable and associated with fewer gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events as compared with iron salts.

Efficacy

Ferrous bisglycinate is a chelate that is used as a source of dietary iron. Forming a ring structure when reacting with glycine, ferrous bisglycinate acts as both a chelate and a nutritionally functional. It is found in foods for food enrichment or in supplements for the treatment of iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia.

Benefits

Ferrous bisglycinate is a chelated form of iron, made from iron bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine. Minerals need to be bonded to a carrier substance so we can ingest them as supplements. Glycine is a good choice as a carrier molecule because your body recognises it easily and absorbs the attached iron.

Iron bisglycinate has been shown to have higher bioavailability and absorption compared to iron salts like ferrous sulphate and ferrous fumarate.

Side effects

The side effects of Ferrous bisglycinate such as heartburn, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Reference

[1] Jordie A J Fischer.“The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Nutrition reviews 81 8 (2023): 904–920.