Iron

What it is

Iron is an essential trace mineral present in hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochromes. In Velobiotics specialized products—such as Velo16 Probiotics + Iron (featuring gentle iron / ferrous bisglycinate chelate with Vitamin C) as well as PregBiotics and Her-Biotics—it is formulated with microencapsulated probiotics to enhance intestinal absorption while minimizing stomach irritation and constipation.

Also known as: Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Bisglycinate, Gentle Iron

What it does

• Binds oxygen in red blood cell hemoglobin for systemic tissue oxygenation and cellular vitality.
• Component of muscle myoglobin supporting oxygen storage and physical endurance.
• Essential cofactor in mitochondrial electron transport chain cytochromes for ATP synthesis.
• Supports normal immune cell proliferation, maturation, and cognitive function.

Amplified by probiotics

Non-heme iron absorption is notoriously poor and prone to causing gut inflammation. Lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) produce organic acids (lactic, acetic, succinic acids) that lower duodenal pH, keeping iron in its soluble ferri-reducible Fe2+ divalent state. Probiotic phytases break down dietary phytate ligands that trap iron. Crucially, live probiotics suppress systemic hepcidin upregulation by mitigating intestinal mucosal inflammation; lower serum hepcidin levels keep ferroportin channels open on enterocyte basolateral membranes, allowing maximum iron transfer into circulation without causing mucosal irritation.

Typical dose

14–45 mg/day (elemental iron)

The evidence

Controlled clinical trials demonstrate that combining iron (especially gentle ferrous bisglycinate) with probiotic strains enhances iron absorption, elevates serum ferritin levels, and dramatically decreases gastrointestinal side effects like constipation and cramping. (Koroma et al. 2019, Nutrients; Vonderheid et al. 2019, Curr Dev Nutr; Hoppe et al. 2015, Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins).

1. Koroma SK, et al. L. plantarum 299v increases iron absorption from a iron-supplemented drink. Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1312 PubMed ↗
2. Vonderheid SC, et al. A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve Iron Status in Women of Reproductive Age. Curr Dev Nutr. 2019;3(6):nzz022 PubMed ↗
3. Hoppe M, et al. Probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v increases iron absorption from an iron-supplemented fruit drink: a double-blind, randomized cross-over study. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2015;7(4):225-230 PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 45 mg/day for adults. Can cause dark stools or mild nausea in sensitive individuals. Keep out of reach of children due to risk of accidental iron overdose.