Iron supplements when to take

[J Williams]

Hi, In this podcast Lara mentioned that for best absorption you get better results by taking iron tablets every second day. I am on iron tablets and my Dr has prescribed 1x daily. I am interested in the reason behind this. Thanks Jane

[Lara]

Daily dosing of iron slows down absorption via something called hepcidin. Alternate-day dosing overcomes that problem. See the paper: Iron absorption from supplements is greater with alternate day than with consecutive day dosing in iron-deficient anemic women.

[J Williams]

Thanks Lara. I will give it a try.

[Celia]

What about sublingual delivery of iron - would hepcidine (iron block) be involved regardless? And do you know if iron melting tabs, drops and sprays have documented uptake?