Q: I’m looking for an iron supplement and I’ve read about Floradix. Is this well-tolerated or does it cause nausea? My doctor prescribed ferrous gluconate in pill form and it bothers my stomach. Do the other ingredients in Floradix make it easier on the stomach?
A: My first thought is to wonder why you require an iron supplement. Are you iron deficient, suffer from anemia, pregnant, or have a condition you neglected to include in your brief note? That would be rather important to know. Perhaps you have felt run down and have been told by your physician that a supplement is the answer.
The ferrous gloconate your physician prescribed is a type of iron used to prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia. It is part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet created by your physician or a nutrition counselor. The product should be stored at room temperature. Specific foods can make it more difficult for the body to absorb this supplement. Avoid taking it one hour prior or two hours following eating cereals, dietary fiber, tea, coffee, and eggs. Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain, upset stomach, black stools, temporary tooth staining, and constipation. Maintenance dosing is 325 mg orally three times a day. If you have iron deficiency anemia, the product may be required for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the anemia.
Floradix Iron and Herbs is purported to provide a very highly absorbable form of iron and combines it with B vitamins, vitamin C, digestive herbs, specially cultured nutritional yeast, ocean kelp and extracts of wheat germ and rose hip. It claims to be non-constipating. The product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should be kept refrigerated at all times after opening and consumed within four weeks. As a point of information, Floradix contains 10 mg of elemental iron, while ferrous gloconate contains 39 mg of elemental iron.
Ideally, iron supplements should be taken according to packaging directions. In the case of iron, it should be taken on an empty stomach one hour prior or two hours following a meal. Take it with a full glass of water unless directed otherwise. If stomach upset occurs, take the oral dose with food. Avoid taking any acids or consuming dairy products, coffee, tea, cereals and fibers within two hours before or two hours following a meal since the action will decrease its effectiveness. Do not lie down for ten minutes following its ingestion. Swallow capsules whole and do not crush or chew tablets since the action can increase the risk of side effects occurring. Swallow the pill whole. Side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps or an upset stomach. Iron may cause your stool to turn black. which is not normally a cause for concern; however, keep in mind that black stool may be caused by a bleed.
Let’s take a moment to consider a few foods rich in iron. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach and collards; dried fruit such as prunes and raisins; beans, lentils, chick peas and soybeans; egg yolks; red meat; fortified cereals and grains; artichokes; and liver are rich in iron. And, if you eat these foods with other choices that provide plenty of vitamin C, your body can better absorb the iron. Even if you were to indicate you are a vegetarian or vegan, there are sufficient foods from which to choose I order to boost your iron.
I recommend you begin with a visit to your physician. Have lab work done to determine if you need an iron supplement or suffer from some of the conditions mentioned. Begin by supplementing your diet with the foods mentioned that are high in iron. Add a good one-a-day vitamin that will provide you with sufficient iron and will also cover the complete gamut of vitamins and minerals recommended. Have repeat blood work in two months or so to determine if there is any improvement. If no progress has been determined, sit down with your physician to determine which product is best for you. He or she is there to guide you. Take advantage of that knowledge before making a decision on either choice.
Other readers who would like more information can order Dr. Gott’s Health Report “Vitamins & Minerals” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Peter H. Gott, MD Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form from www.askdrgottmd.com.
