Inadequate intake can lead to reduced oxygen transport, which, in turn, can impact cognitive development in babies.2 However, 36% of expecting women worldwide experience anaemia, of which 40% result from iron deficiency.2
And these figures are only part of the picture when considering the scale of the global iron deficiency issue and its potential consequences on both prenatal health and children’s cognitive development. Supplement manufacturers therefore have an opportunity to make a real difference.
But in the vast landscape of iron supplementation, not all products are the same.
Some can cause side-effects such as nausea, constipation and diarrhoea, which may put consumers off taking them and leaving them at risk of iron deficiency.
In this article, Jane Durga (pictured), PhD, Senior Manager, Scientific Affairs and Advocacy at Balchem, shares top tips for manufacturers looking to develop iron solutions in the prenatal health market.
Beware of bioavailability
For both consumers and product formulators, bioavailability is a major concern as it determines the efficacy of the final supplement product. Simply put, the more effectively a nutrient is absorbed, the more available it is to our body for metabolic use.
Several factors can influence ingredient assimilation, such as interactions with other nutrients and dietary components. Antinutrients found in food, such as phytates for example, can interfere with the absorption of specific minerals — including iron — inhibiting their uptake too.
So how can brands overcome this challenge?
Formulating with chelated minerals is one solution. Chelation is a process that creates a strong and stable bond with two molecules of glycine. This unique composition protects them from the external environment, thereby limiting the ability of antinutrients to interfere.
This chelated structure also facilitates efficient metabolism by leading to enhanced absorption and reduced gastrointestinal (GI) distress compared with traditionally used iron forms such as ferrous sulfate.3,4
As a chelated form of iron, ferrous bisglycinate (Fe Bisglycinate), for example, stands out as a premium ingredient for brands seeking to develop highly effective prenatal supplements while mitigating the common side-effects associated with conventional iron forms.
In fact, Fe Bisglycinate is up to five times better assimilated than ferrous sulphate and was selected by the World Health Organization as a “fortificant of choice” for specific applications (fluid milk, juice and soft drink applications) owing to its high bioavailability and greater resistance to phytates.3,5
A recent review and meta-analysis by Fischer et al. showed that Fe Bisglycinate supplementation in expecting women provides significantly higher efficacy at raising haemoglobin levels — a commonly measured biomarker of anaemia and iron status when compared with other iron salts.6
The research also demonstrated that this mineral offers improved tolerability and lowers the occurrence of GI adverse events among moms-to-be by 64% when compared with other iron salts.
And with iron demand soaring during pregnancy, resulting in a 50% increase in dietary requirements, this presents promising findings.7
Place stability under the spotlight
From a formulation standpoint, manufacturers need to look for iron formats that are easy to incorporate without compromising on efficacy.
Chelated Fe bisglycinate presents brands with an opportunity to create a wide range of solutions while maintaining stability and effectiveness in various dosage forms (from beverage applications to better-for-you bars and cereals).
This allows manufacturers to meet consumer demand for innovative and convenient products that can easily add a health boost to their busy daily routines.
But achieving enhanced tolerability, absorption and stability hinges on quality. At Balchem, we introduced TRAACS — The Real Amino Acid Chelate System — a hallmark of quality in the chelate market for human nutrition.
TRAACS is our assurance that our minerals undergo rigorous processes to deliver fully reacted, truly chelated minerals, with all their associated benefits.
And we extend the TRAACS seal to our cobranding partners too, helping them to gain the trust of mums-to-be looking for premium solutions that support their health and provide optimal nutrition for their babies right from the start.
Science, science and science
A recent report from McKinsey & Company on the global wellness market in 2024 underscored a growing trend among consumers: they are increasingly asking “What does the science say?” instead of hoping for the best when it comes to health and wellness products.8
As such, in the crowded supplement space where many solutions make unfounded promises, being able to substantiate the benefits of your offering is paramount.
Sharing knowledge across the industry is key to unlocking future innovation too. With this in mind, we recently sponsored a new scientific research project so that it could be presented for the first time at the ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) conference in Milan, Italy, in May 2024.
This research explores the potential of chelated Fe Bisglycinate as a superior form of iron during pregnancy.
Talking about the study, Dr Crystal Karakochuk, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at The University of British Columbia, and supervisor of the research, explained: “We’re conducting a randomised controlled trial on pregnant women aged 19–42 who will be supplied with 27 mg/day elemental iron as either Fe Fumarate or Fe Bisglycinate."9
"Our goal is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of these two forms of iron after a minimum of 12 weeks of intake. We hope that the outcomes of this research will help to inform more specific guidelines regarding iron supplementation practices in pregnancy to ensure adequate iron transfer to the foetus while minimising adverse side-effects for expectant women.”
There’s still much to learn about the effects that iron supplementation can have on human health. That’s why we’re committed to continuously exploring new science behind our own Albion Minerals ingredients portfolio, including Ferrochel — our brand of chelated Fe Bisglycinate.
We actively collaborate with industry experts and universities, such as The University of British Columbia, to drive innovation in the space.
Through these joint initiatives, we can provide supplement brands with advanced ingredients and all the latest scientific insights required to keep pushing the boundaries in the nutraceutical industry.
Together, we can develop superior solutions with science-backed health benefits and work towards making the world a healthier place.
References
- https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1215.
- R. Ataide, et al., “Iron Deficiency, Pregnancy and Neonatal Development,” Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 162(Suppl. 2), 14–22 (2023).
- A.C. Bovell-Benjamin, et al., “Iron Absorption from Ferrous Bisglycinate and Ferric Trisglycinate in Whole Maize is Regulated by Iron Status,” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 71(6), 1563–1569 (2000).
- M.S. Coplin, et al., “Tolerability of Iron: A Comparison of Bis-Glycino Iron II and Ferrous Sulfate,” Clin. Ther. 13(5), 606–612 (1991).
- www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241594012.
- J.A.J. Fischer, et al., “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,” Nutr. Rev. 81(8), 904–920 (2023).
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222310/.
- www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/the-trends-defining-the-1-point-8-trillion-dollar-global-wellness-market-in-2024.
- C. Karakochuk and L. Pei, “The Potential of Ferrous Bisglycinate as a Superior Form of Iron During Pregnancy: A Pilot Study to Estimate Ferritin Concentrations in Umbilical Cord Blood,” presentation at the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition conference (Milan, Italy, 15–18 May 2024).