Tag: Animal based iron

While it's true that some iron supplements, known as heme iron, are derived from animal sources like bovine hemoglobin, the vast majority of widely available oral iron pills are not. These common over-the-counter options are made from non-heme iron, which is chemically synthesized from mineral salts, offering a vegan and vegetarian-friendly way to boost iron intake.

According to the National Institutes of Health, while non-heme iron comes from plant sources, heme iron is derived from animal foods like meat and poultry. The notion that heme iron is primarily found in plants is incorrect, and understanding this distinction is crucial for optimizing your iron intake. Heme iron is more readily absorbed by the body than its non-heme counterpart, making its animal-based sources particularly effective for increasing iron levels.