Since blood donation is voluntary and this is a free service for the fellow man it´s natural to ”guard the sources”. This means that blood donors should receive iron supplementation to compensate for iron loss from the blood donated, especially if low values are detected. This has not always been the case because of low efficacy and frequent side-effects from the non-heme iron given.

1. FACTS - PROBLEMS - SOLUTION
Blood donors

2. Since blood donation is voluntary and this is a free
service for the fellow man it´s natural to ”guard the
sources”. This means that blood donors should receive
iron supplementation to compensate for iron loss from the
blood donated, especially if low values are detected.
This has not always been the case because of low efficacy
and frequent side-effects from the non-heme iron given.
FACTS

3. The heme and non-heme forms of iron are absorbed by
different mechanisms. The usual non-heme iron remedies,
such as ferrous sulphate, produce unwanted side-effects
in the form of constipation, stomach pains or diarrhea.
This often leads to the donors stopping taking the
supplements, which in turn means that they can only
donate blood perhaps once or twice a year instead of
normally three times. Having low iron counts in between
also diminishes the donors´ Quality of Life.
FACTS

4. There are many negative factors influencing non-heme iron
absorption itself. Among these are intake of tannins in tea
and coffee. Phytates in unleavened whole grain bread, milk
proteins, albumin and soy proteins may also reduce
absorption. This means that a regular diet and non-heme
supplements may not be enough to compensate for iron
loss.
Non-heme supplements at 100 mg Fe++ per dose regularly
have an incidence of side-effects leading to termination of
the therapy of around 30 %. Donors that have previous
negative experiences will usually not take the supplements
at all.
PROBLEMS

5. It has been observed that after a donation absorption of
non-heme iron practically ceases for around four days.
30 days of supplementation with 100 mg Fe++ non-heme
iron at a bio-availablity of 2 % theoretically gives 60 mg
absorbed iron. At 5 %, which is unusual, the amount is 150
mg. From there on this drops depending on the factors
mentioned before.
PROBLEMS

6. Over the long run there is also an inflation in non-heme
iron absorption due to a numbing of the mucosa and a
constant uneasy feeling with gastric disturbancies (not all
side-effects lead to quick termination).
This is because in order for non-heme iron to be absorbed
it has to split from its carrier in the acidic environment of
the stomach.
The uptake is low and this will leave free iron ions in the
gut. These in themselves are highly reactive, and
considered toxic to the organism.
REACTION

7. Supplementation with 18 mg of heme iron for thirty days
with a bio-availability of 25 % gives 135 mg of absorbed
iron. Heme iron is very well tolerated and is known to have
a side-effects ratio as placebo. This means a higher
therapy success rate.
Heme iron will also not block the uptake of zinc as non-
heme iron in doses over 60 mg will.
This is why OptiFer tablets with a dose of 18 mg Fe++ can
compete with non-heme tablets of 100 mg Fe++.
SOLUTION

8. 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

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

10. • 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