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Iron is a nutrient that essential for the delivery of oxygen to every cell in the body.

Description

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the body requires significantly more iron to meet the demands for the growth and development of a child^1,2.

Iron picks up oxygen from the lungs, loads it onto red blood cells, and transports it to every cell in the body, including the womb. Our cells use this oxygen to make energy, and one of the highest demands for energy is growth of a baby in utero².

According to Health Canada, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency during pregnancy. About 18% of pregnant women are iron deficient³, and research shows that iron deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal and infant mortality, premature birth, low birth weight and impaired cognitive and behavioural development^4-6. Health Canada recommends supplementing 16 to 20mg of iron daily during pregnancy to reduce these risks².

There is significant blood loss during childbirth and in the following weeks, resulting in depletion of iron stores in new moms. During breastfeeding, a baby requires high amounts of iron to continue healthy growth and development. Interestingly, breastfed babies tend to receive the same amount of iron from mom, regardless of mom’s iron level⁷. This means mom preferentially gives iron to her baby trough the breastmilk, depletingher own stores.

Sleeplessness in new parenthood is normal, but iron deficiency is a separate and preventable cause of postpartum fatigue. Fatigue in breastfeeding women is significantly correlated with postpartum depression and early cessation of breastfeeding⁸.

The best way to understand your iron status is by having a blood test to measure something called ferritin, which is our iron storage. Ferritin is not reliable in the first six weeks postpartum, so it should be tested during pregnancy and repeated six to eight weeks postpartum.

The tricky part is that “normal” ferritin is defined as 5-272 ug/L. Since this is a wide range, you can imagine that someone with a ferritin of 7 ug/L would feel very different from someone with a ferritin level of 200 ug/L.Dr. Hilary suggests aiming for a ferritin of 70-100 ug/L to support the healthy growth and development of baby during pregnancy, as well as mom’s increased iron requirements during breastfeeding.

Some groups of people are likely to have low iron, including:

• During pregnancy and breastfeeding²
• Vegans and vegetarians¹
• Women with heavy periods¹
• People lacking a nutrient-rich diet^1,4
• Children with behavioural concerns or ADHD⁹
• People experiencing fatigue, depression, or brain fog¹⁰
• People taking acid blocking medications for heartburn¹
• People with digestive conditions such as Celiac disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and SIBO¹

It can be challenging to get enough iron from diet alone, especially given the increased requirements for iron during pregnancy and breastfeeding². Nausea, constipationand food aversions can make it even more challenging to eat a diet high in iron. Health Canada recommends daily iron supplementation of 16-20mg during pregnancy².

Salus Floravit is a liquid iron supplement that is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and it promotes the formation of healthy red blood cells. The iron is in form called ferrous gluconate, which is effectively absorbed, gentle on the stomach, and unlikely to cause digestive upset or constipation¹¹.

Floravit provides vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. These vitamins work synergistically with iron to promote the formation of healthy red blood cells to treat and prevent anemia during pregnancy and postpartum. In addition, B vitamins are essential for the conversion of oxygen into energy once it has been delivered to our cells¹².

Floravit contains a combination of nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits and herbs that have been carefully selected to improve the digestion and absorption of iron. It is free from alcohol,artificial colours and flavours, and is yeast, dairy, and gluten free, and vegan-friendly.

Floravit is also suitable for children, adolescents, and non-pregnant individuals who require supplementation to achieve healthy iron levels.

Ingredients

Each 10 ml Contains

Elemental Iron II (Ferrous gluconate)  10mg

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine hydrochloride)   2.5mg

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium) 4mg

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride)   2mg

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)  7.5 mcg

Non-Medicinal Ingredients: Aqueous extracts of rosehip, chamomile, fennel, spinach; juice concentrates of black grape, pear, black currant, cherry, blackberry, and carrot; rosehip extract, purified water, and ascorbic acid (antioxidant).

Vegan | Gluten Free | Yeast Free | Dairy Free | Kosher

Dosages

Adults & Adolescents 14+: 10ml twice daily before meals
Children 10-14yrs: 10ml once daily before a meal
Children 5-9yrs: 5ml once daily before a meal
Children 2-4yrs: 4ml once daily before a meal

How it Works

Dr. Hilary’s Lifestyle Changes To Support Healthy Iron Levels  

• Focus on iron-rich foods, including meat, fish, dark leafy greens, brown rice, beans, nuts and seeds and iron-fortified grains.

• Avoid consuming foods that block iron absorption within two hours of an iron supplement or eating iron-rich foods¹. These include black tea, coffee, cocoa, and calcium-rich foods such as dairy, almonds, and broccoli.

• Increase foods that boost iron absorption¹, including foods high in vitamin C and beta carotene. These vitamins are found in yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables, such as grapefruit, oranges, bell peppers, beets, carrots, squash, and tomatoes.

• Talk to your doctor if you are taking acid blocking medications (proton pump inhibitors, antacids), as they impair iron absorption.

• Heal the gut lining to improve absorption of iron in the small intestine.

• Blood work should be done in each trimester, as well as six to eight weeks postpartum to test your ferritin level. Aim for an optimal ferritin level of 70-100 ug/L

References

1. .National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplement fact sheet: iron. 24 August 2007. Accessed 25 January 2021.
2. Health Canada. Prenatal nutrition guidelines for health professionals – Iron contributes to a healthy pregnancy. 2009. Accessed 26 January 2021.
3. Mei Z, Cogswell ME, Looker AC et al. Assessment of iron status in US pregnant women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2006. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jun;93(6):1312-20.
4. World Health Organization. Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Assessment, Prevention, and Control. World Health Organization, 2001.
5. Scholl TO. Maternal iron status Nutr Rev. 2011;69 Suppl 1.
6. Cogswell ME, Parvanta I, Ickes L et al. Iron supplementation during pregnancy, anemia, and birth weight: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr.2003;78:773-81.
7. Rusia U. Mother’s iron status, breastmilk iron and lactoferrin-are they related? Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;60(7):903–8.
8. Rioux FM, Savoie N, Allard J. Is there a link between postpartum anemia and discontinuation of breastfeeding? Can J Diet Pract Res. 2006 Jan;67(2):72–6.
9. Konofal E, Lecendreux M, Arnulf I, Mouren M. Iron Deficiency in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.2004;158(12):1113–1115.
10. Houston BL, Hurrie D, Graham J, et al. Efficacy of iron supplementation on fatigue and physical capacity in non-anaemic iron-deficient adults: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2018;8(4):e019240.
11. Briase H, Hallberg L. Absorbability of different iron compounds. Acta Med Scand Suppl. 1962;376:23-37.
12. Kennedy DO. B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy--A Review. Nutrients. 2016;8(2):68.

Salus Floravit Iron