Iron is the most common nutrient inadequacy in children. The combination of their increased iron requirement to support growth and development and poor dietary intake of iron rich foods can mean that they aren't meeting their daily iron requirement. And day after day, this adds up!
Signs of low iron include fatigue, poor concentration, and poor memory, all of which may affect cognitive and social function. (1) Children who aren't getting enough iron may also exhibit symptoms of pica; cravings for non-food substances such as soap and dirt, and pasophagia; cravings for ice. (1)
Iron requirements
Most children require more iron daily than an adult man! See the recommended daily intakes below.
Boys & Girls (1-3 years) 9 mg
Boys & Girls (4-8 years) 10 mg
Boys & Girls (9-13 years) 8 mg
Boys (14-18 years) 11 mg
Girls (14-18 years) 14 mg
Why is iron Important?
Essentially it's about making red blood cells (AKA blood) and supporting this bloods ability to carry much needed oxygen around the body.
Iron's "sciencey" functions
- Assist healthy red blood cell production
- Support blood health
- Helps support transport of oxygen in the body
- Aid oxygen transport to body tissues
- Helps support haemoglobin formation/synthesis
Iron Supplements
If dietary intake is inadequate, iron supplementation might help to fill the gaps.
Iron bisglyciate is what is know as an amino acid bound mineral. It is made of an iron molecule and two glycine (an amino acid) molecules. Imagine it like a cheese sandwich- two slices of bread (glycine) and a slice of cheese (the iron). Being amino acid bounds, means it is easily absorbed in the small intestines.
Other forms of iron found in supplements include iron polymaltose, and ferrous sulphate. Both however can cause gastrointestinal upset and constipation. (1,2)
Additionally, iron bisglycinate doesn’t form insoluble compounds with iron absorption inhibitors like phytates, oxalates, and tannins, found in high quantities in cereals and cereal-based products. (1)
There are lots of great reason why we use iron bisglycinate in iron immunity, discover more here.
References
- Perveen A, Raja NF, Khan IM, Shaheen H, Imran M, Ahmad RS. Comparison of Conventional and Newer Iron Preparations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Children. Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College. 2020 Jun 26;24(2):112-6.
- Vasconcelos AR, Valzachi Rocha Maluf MC. Iron Bisglycinate Chelate and Polymaltose Iron for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Current pediatric reviews. 2018 Nov 1;14(4):261-8.
- Duque X, Martinez H, Vilchis-Gil J, Mendoza E, Flores-Hernández S, Morán S, Navarro F, Roque-Evangelista V, Serrano A, Mera RM. Effect of supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate on ferritin concentration in Mexican schoolchildren: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition journal. 2014 Dec;13(1):1-0.
- Pineda O, Ashmead HD. Effectiveness of treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in infants and young children with ferrous bis-glycinate chelate. Nutrition. 2001 May 1;17(5):381-4.
- Bovell-Benjamin AC, Viteri FE, Allen LH. Iron absorption from ferrous bisglycinate and ferric trisglycinate in whole maize is regulated by iron status. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2000 Jun 1;71(6):1563-9.