|
Feosol Iron Supplement has been the brand physicians have recommended most since 1990. Feosol helps prevent and treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
Anemia is a below normal concentration of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying portion of the red blood cells, or a reduced number of red blood cells per unit of blood. Iron is a primary component of hemoglobin.
Feosol has two different formulations of iron supplement products.
- Feosol Carbonyl Iron Caplets, 30 and 60ct., contain 45mg of elemental iron per caplet, which is 250% of the recommended daily value.
- Feosol Ferrous Sulfate Tablets, 100ct., contain 65mg of elemental iron per tablet, which is 360% of the recommended daily value.
Which Feosol formula is right for you?
- Carbonyl Iron Caplets - Carbonyl iron is the safest form of supplemental iron available, with reduced risk of harm in the event of an accidental overdose. Thus it is preferred for parents of small children. Additionally, this formulation is gentle on the stomach.
- Ferrous Sulfate Tablets - Ferrous Sulfate is the type of iron which doctors have the greatest familiarity; it's the most commonly recommended. This formula is best suited for those without young children.
Why is iron important?
Iron is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. These are the cells that carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
When a person's iron stores are low, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells and anemia can develop. That is, the transport of oxygen to the body tissue is insufficient. This condition- called iron-deficiency anemia-causes the body to become tired, listless and pale. Appetite loss may also occur. Although iron-deficiency anemia is not the only kind of anemia, it is possibly the most common, and it is certainly one of the easiest to treat.
Common problems with iron supplements
The most common problems with supplemental iron products are upset stomach, and constipation, as well as missed doses.
Upset stomach occurs in a quarter of the people taking recommended doses of iron products. Apparently, the iron salts irritate the stomach linings.
Missed doses result partly from the fact that anemia does not cause painful symptoms to remind people to take their iron; this is a particular problem when the iron supplement dose has to be taken several times a day. Another reason for this problem is that many people would rather "forget" (and have the symptoms of anemia) than "remember" and have the painful upset stomach that the iron supplement may cause.
Common causes of iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by insufficient intake or anything that puts unusual demands on the body's iron stores. Sometimes it is caused by an exceptional blood loss, but at other times it can be the result of the body's excessive need for iron for other purposes.
Some of the most common causes are:
Menstruation - Many women's diets simply do not provide enough iron to replace what is lost each month via the menstrual bleeding.
Pregnancy - Iron is transferred from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy, particularly during the last three months.
Lactation - Iron is used in the production of milk.
Rapid Growth - Infants and children require increased amounts of iron during periods of rapid growth, often more than their diets provide.
Dietary Insufficiency - Many people, particularly elderly people, simply do not consume enough iron. Naturally, this leaves them with insufficient iron stores as well as their stores of other dietary nutrients.
Blood Loss - Intestinal tumors, ulcers, wounds, surgery, etc. can result in a loss of blood that is greater than the body's ability to replace their blood.
|
