1. Globally, over 1.6 billion people are affected by iron deficiency, with the highest rates in preschool children and non-pregnant women being the most impacted group. 2. Iron deficiency can cause weakness, fatigue, poor concentration and skin, hair and nail problems. It decreases physical and mental abilities. 3. There are two types of iron - heme iron from meat which is easily absorbed and non-heme plant-based iron which is not. Heme iron supplements avoid common side effects from other iron supplements.

1. 10 FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
IRON DEFICIENCY AND HEME IRON

2. Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people (95% CI: 1.50–
1.74 billion),which corresponds to 24.8% of the population
(95% CI: 22.9–26.7%).
The highest prevalence is in preschool-age children
(47.4%, 95% CI: 45.7–49.1),and the lowest prevalence is in
men (12.7%, 95% CI: 8.6–16.9%).
However, the population group with the greatest number
of individuals affected is non-pregnant women (468.4
million, 95% CI: 446.2–490.6). (WHO).
1: Low iron counts are one of the most common
conditions worldwide

3. 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.
2: Iron cannot be substituted by
anything else

4. 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.
3: You will feel weak, tired and your hair,
nails and skin will suffer

5. 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
4: Your physical and mental abilities will
decrease

6. 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.
5: The reasons may be losses and/or not
enough intake

7. Many iron supplementation treatments fail
because syntethic iron produces painful and
uncomfortable gastro-intestinal side-effects
sooner or later.
Heme iron preparations have a virtually perfect
tolerance and this will not change even in longer
use when necessary.
6: Vital to supplement even though
side-effects may occur

8. 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 gastro-
intestinal 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.
7: All iron comes from the diet

9. 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 free iron ions in the gut
that may cause disturbancies and are
potentially carcinogenous.
8: You can avoid side-effects
with heme iron

10. 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
physicaland 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.
9: If you’re pregnant or planning it
Remember: the child may suffer

11. 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.
10: It takes a little time to correct
the situation

12. 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 or
tolerance.
OptiFer® products compete favorably
with the regular syntethic supplements.
SOLUTION

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

14. OptiFer® tablets are based on natural bovine
heme iron and will safely and efficiently keep
iron counts at an optimal level
www.ferrocare.se www.hemeiron.com
www.ferrocare.se www.hemeiron.com