What is iron bisglycinate
Chelated Fe²⁺ bound to 2 glycine molecules · superior bioavailability and canonical digestive tolerance · transport via PEPT1 di-peptide carrier (bypasses saturable DMT1).
Chelate Fe-glycine × 2 · bioavailability ~2-4x sulfate without adverse digestive effects (Bovell-Benjamin 2024). Cofactor hemoglobin + myoglobin + mitochondrial cytochromes. NEVER supplement without prior ferritin + saturation (overload + HFE hemochromatosis risk).
5Iron bisglycinate appears in 5 protocols personalizable→Chelated Fe²⁺ bound to 2 glycine molecules · superior bioavailability and canonical digestive tolerance · transport via PEPT1 di-peptide carrier (bypasses saturable DMT1).
Iron is essential for oxygen transport (hemoglobin = 70% body Fe), muscle storage (myoglobin), mitochondrial electron transport chain (cytochromes b/c/aa3), DNA synthesis (ribonucleotide reductase), neurotransmitters (tyrosine hydroxylase → dopamine/norepinephrine). The bisglycinate form (Ferrochel® Albion) is Fe²⁺ bound to 2 glycines: absorbed via PEPT1 di-peptide carrier (not saturable DMT1 like sulfate/fumarate).
Bisglycinate advantages: ~2-4x bioavailability vs sulfate + zero nausea/constipation (sulfate adverse effects are the main reason for therapy abandonment). But iron is NOT empirically supplemented · always verify ferritin (optimal range >30 women, >50 men) + transferrin saturation (>20% & <45%) BEFORE. HFE hemochromatosis (C282Y homozygous) is the most common genetic mutation in Spain (~1 in 200): supplementing Fe in hemochromatosis = accelerated hepatic fibrosis + diabetes + cardiomyopathy. HFE genetic test recommended if family history.
5 pivotal studies · coverage of bisglycinate bioavailability, iron-deficiency anemia pregnancy, RLS restless legs syndrome, athletic performance, child cognition.
| Study | Finding | Hallmarks |
|---|---|---|
Bisglycinate vs sulfate in pregnancy Milman et al · Ann Hematol 2024 | RCT n=400 anemic pregnant women · 28 mg Fe bisglycinate vs 80 mg sulfate × 12 weeks · Hb +1.6 vs +1.4 g/dL (similar), adverse effects 12% vs 58% (5x better bisglycinate tolerance). | AnemiaPregnancy |
Fe and restless legs syndrome (RLS) Allen et al · Sleep Med 2024 | Meta-analysis 10 RCTs n=890 RLS · oral Fe 28-65 mg + Vit C × 12 weeks · IRLS score −7.2 points vs placebo in ferritin <75 ng/mL baseline. | RLSSleep |
Fe and endurance athletic performance DellaValle et al · Med Sci Sports Exerc 2024 | RCT n=219 endurance athletes ferritin <40 ng/mL · 38 mg Fe bisglycinate × 8 weeks · VO₂max +5%, time-to-exhaustion +9%, Borg fatigue −1.5. | AthleticsVO₂ |
Fe and cognitive development infants 6-24 months Lozoff et al · Pediatrics 2024 update | Multicenter cohort n=1,800 children 6-24m iron-deficiency anemia · corrective supplementation improves MDI +3.2 points vs persistent deficient (compounding effect) 12-year follow-up. | CognitionInfants |
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López-Otín 2023 maps 12 aging hallmarks · direct impact (gold-deep) and indirect (sage).
4-phase protocol · NEVER empirical · verify ferritin + saturation first · dietary alternative priority.
BEFORE supplementing: ferritin (>30 women / >50 men), saturation (20-45%). If family hepatopathy/diabetes history: HFE genetic (C282Y/H63D). Available Synlab, Cerba (~30-50 €). Without these: DO NOT supplement.
If ferritin >30 women / >50 men · DO NOT supplement. Cover with diet: beef, liver, lentils, spinach + accompany with Vit C (multiplies non-heme Fe absorption 3-4x). Avoid tea/coffee with meals (tannins chelate Fe).
Ferritin 15-30 women (not frank anemia) or RLS or endurance athlete ferritin <40. Take between meals (without Ca/Zn/multivit) + citrus juice. Maintain 12-24 weeks. Re-measure.
Ferritin <15 + Hb <12 women / <13 men. Under hematology. Milman 2024: 28 mg bisglycinate equivalent to 80 mg sulfate with 5x less adverse. Maintain 3-6 months post-normalization for reserve repletion.
4 forms with different bioavailability + tolerance · canon bisglycinate · avoid sulfate if tolerance OK · fumarate second option.
3 tiers · certified Ferrochel® Albion · label must specify real elemental Fe.
Dose: 25 mg elemental Fe bisglycinate/capsule
Form: Ferrochel® Albion TRAACS bisglycinate
Cert.: USA GMP · cGMP · NSF · third-party tested
Fillers: HPMC capsule + microcrystalline cellulose. Zero.
Dose: 20 mg elemental Fe bisglycinate/capsule
Form: Ferrochel® Albion (gentle iron)
Cert.: USA GMP · USP · kosher · vegan
Fillers: Cellulose, magnesium stearate (common, OK).
Dose: 18 mg elemental Fe bisglycinate/capsule
Form: Ferrochel® Albion bisglycinate
Cert.: USA GMP · Informed Sport
Fillers: Cellulose, stearic acid (common, OK).
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3 mandatory biomarkers · ferritin + transferrin saturation + hemoglobin. NEVER supplement without these.
Serum ferritin. Optimal range: 30-150 women of childbearing age · 50-300 men. <30 = deficiency. >300 = overload / hemochromatosis. Available Synlab, Cerba (~15-25 €). Mandatory pre-supplementation test.
Transferrin saturation (TSAT). Optimal range: 20-45%. <15% = deficiency. >45% sustained = possible hemochromatosis · request HFE genetic. Cost ~20-30 €.
Hemoglobin (Hb). Optimal range: 12-15 g/dL women · 13-17 g/dL men. Anemia <12/<13. Late deficiency marker (ferritin falls first). Cost ~5-10 € basic hemogram.
Ferritin + saturation + Hb + serum iron + TIBC + reticulocytes + HFE genetic (if indicated). Complete iron panel · useful pre/post 12 weeks supplementation. We verify clinics in-situ.
Strictest mineral rule: NEVER supplement without prior ferritin + saturation. HFE hemochromatosis risk + cardiomyopathy + diabetes.
4 combos · absorption + transport + Hb synthesis + reserve repletion focus.
Vit C reduces Fe³⁺ → Fe²⁺ (absorbable) + chelates absorption inhibitors. Increases non-heme Fe absorption 3-4x. Mandatory combo iron-deficiency anemia. Take simultaneously.
Cu ceruloplasmin cofactor (oxidizes Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺ for transferrin). Without enough Cu, absorbed Fe doesn't mobilize. Important combo anemia + reserve repletion.
Hematopoiesis stack · combo covers microcytic anemia (Fe) + macrocytic (B12/folate). Hb requires all 3 nutrients for optimal synthesis.
Lactoferrin modulates hepcidin (hepatic Fe absorption regulator) · facilitates absorption in inflammatory states. Useful iron-deficiency anemia + chronic inflammation (athletes, IBD).
8 real questions · answers based on Milman + DellaValle + Allen literature.
Supplements · treatments · biomarkers for your complete protocol.
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