1. Low iron counts are one of the most common conditions worldwide

Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people,which corresponds to 24.8 % of the population. The highest prevalence is in preschool-age children (47.4 %,),and the lowest prevalence is in men (12.7 %). However, the population group with the greatest number of individuals affected is non-pregnant women (468.4 million). (WHO).

2: Iron cannot be substituted by anything else.

Iron is an important part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen to all the cells of the body. If we don't have enough we easily run short of breath, get tired and have problems concentrating. Our bodies contain 4 - 5 grammes of iron. It may be difficult to get enough of this important nutrient unless meat courses are part of the diet. Fruit, cereals and vegetables contain relatively little of useful iron. If you’re suffering from low iron, no amount of vitamins or any other supplement is going to change it.

3: You will feel weak, tired and your hair, nails and skin will suffer

Almost every third woman has low iron values. The risk is especially high if menstruation lasts longer than three days, during pregnancy and lactation. During menstruation the woman loses an average of 35 - 40 mg of iron, or around 10 mg per day. This is why women need more iron than men.

The symptoms of iron depletion are so common that they aren´t always recognised. Except for weakness and shortage of breath it also affects appearance. The skin grows pale and hair and nail lose strength and luster.

4: Your physical and mental abilities will decrease

Iron deficiency can give the following symptoms:

• Tiredness, fatigue, passivity and drowsiness
• Concentration difficulties and increased need for sleep
• Impaired physical performance
• Lessened learning ability

5: The reasons may be losses and/or not enough intake

In healthy individuals the average iron absorbed is 1 mg daily for men, 1.5 - 2.5 mg daily for women and during pregnancy 2 - 3 mg daily corresponding to a total of 500 - 1 000 mg per month. Iron requirements should compensate for demand during growth, pregnancy and physiological and pathological losses.

6: Vital to supplement even though side-effects may occur

Many iron supplementation treatments fail because synthetic iron produces painful and uncomfortable gastrointestinal side-effects sooner or later. Heme iron preparations have a virtually perfect tolerance and this will not change even in longer use when necessary. Iron is vital for life.

7: All iron comes from the diet

There are only two kinds of iron that we can use; heme iron from meat, poultry or fish and non- heme iron from vegetables, dairy products or chemically bonded iron in regular supplements. Heme iron is taken up along the whole gastrointestinal tract (not only the first part) and, unlike non-heme iron, absorption is not affected by other chelating components of the diet such as phytates, tannates and phosphate.

8: You can avoid side-effects with heme iron

In studies the incidence of side-effects with heme iron products is at placebo level. The mechanism of uptake for heme iron does not leave reactive free iron ions in the gut that may cause disturbancies and are potentially carcinogenous.

9: If you’re pregnant or planning it. Remember: the child may suffer

Iron status of the pregnant and those who plan pregnancy determines the weight of the foetus. Even to such a degree that it affects the health status of a person during the whole lifetime. A negative iron balance causes not only physical and mental fatigue, but may also lead to anemia. Iron deficiency in children may disturb the learning ability, which cannot be substituted along the way. This concerns mainly psychomotor development and cognitive performance.

10: It takes a little time to correct the situation

The process of building up adequate iron stores takes months, much in the same way that depletion doesn't happen overnight. This is why supplementary dosage usually is enough. If the dosage is higher than 50 mgs per day zinc absorption will be blocked. The success of any iron therapy is closely related to user friendliness. This means that tolerance and dosage-related compliance is of central importance.

The OptiFer® series of iron food supplements are safe, efficient and very well tolerated, which is crucial for therapy success. They give an optimal dose and can be used over longer periods with no change in efficacy and tolerance. The OptiFer® products compete favorably with the regular synthetic supplements.

Swedish company MediTec in its FerroCare Division has a strong commitment to reach people suffering from iron deficiency, but have problems with existing supplements.

OptiFer® tablets are based on natural bovine heme iron and will safely and efficiently keep iron counts at an optimal level.

Find out more at: www.ferrocare.se www.hemeiron.com