Anemia can occur for a variety of reasons than you might think, and is a disease that many people suffer from. So many people are taking iron supplements. However, many people experience gastrointestinal disorders such as heartburn or constipation while taking iron supplements. How can I take iron supplements without discomfort?
Constipation if you only take iron supplements... Are there any iron supplements without constipation?
The biggest concern for those taking iron supplements is constipation. In particular, pregnant women and the elderly, who are prone to constipation, are worried about the toilet every time they take iron supplements due to anemia. If you are suffering from constipation after taking iron supplements, consider changing the type of iron supplements you take. Iron preparations are classified into 1,2, and trivalent iron depending on the type of iron used.
Hee-jin Jeong, public relations member of the Korea Hospital Pharmaceutical Association (Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Ulsan University Hospital) said, “Ferrous Sulfate, which belongs to bivalent iron, is widely used because it has the highest absorption rate and is inexpensive. "The proportion of people who feel symptoms such as nausea and vomiting is high," he said. He said, "If you find it difficult to take iron supplements due to gastrointestinal side effects after taking bivalent iron, you can try changing the iron supplement to trivalent iron."
But trivalent iron is not always better than 1,2 iron. “Trivalent iron is more expensive than divalent iron, and there are disadvantages in that it has a slightly lower absorption rate as well as gastrointestinal disturbances,” said pharmacist Jeong.
If changing to trivalent iron does not improve constipation, you may consider taking laxatives. If you follow the dosage, you can solve both anemia and constipation. Pharmacist Jeong Hee-jin said, "It is possible to take laxatives while taking iron tablets." “However, laxatives containing calcium, such as Magmil, have a great effect on calcium absorption enough to be used to control the amount of iron absorbed in the body, so it is recommended to keep the dose between iron tablets and iron tablets at least 2 hours,” explained pharmacist Jeong.
Iron pills for heartburn? Is there a way to take iron pills without heartburn?
One of the most common side effects of iron supplements is heartburn. To increase absorption, iron tablets must be taken on an empty stomach, but iron tablets taken on an empty stomach give unpleasant heartburn throughout the day. If you are suffering from heartburn from iron supplements, but are still taking iron supplements, consider changing the way you take iron supplements.
Pharmacist Jeong Hee-jin said, "It is better to take iron supplements on an empty stomach. Pharmacist Jeong said, "If the iron you are currently taking is bivalent iron, changing to a trivalent iron product is also a way to reduce heartburn."
Heartburn can also be improved by adjusting the dosage of iron supplements. “Gastrointestinal disorders are usually proportional to the amount of iron taken, so if the symptoms of anemia are not severe and you do not need to take iron supplements urgently, you can try increasing iron supplements gradually from a small dose,” said pharmacist Jeong.
However, he emphasized that antacids or gastric acid secretion inhibitors should not be taken blindly to relieve heartburn. Pharmacist Jeong Hee-jin said, "Antacids and gastric acid secretion inhibitors, which are easy to find for improving heartburn symptoms, lower iron absorption.
Are there good or bad ingredients when taking iron supplements?
There are clear ingredients that are compatible with iron and those that are not. Vitamin C is a representative ingredient that has good compatibility with iron supplements. Vitamin C increases iron absorption. Pharmacist Jeong Hee-jin said, "To absorb 30 mg of iron, 200 mg of vitamin C is required, so it is helpful to take orange juice or vitamin C separately when taking iron supplements."
On the other hand, it is better not to take black tea or green tea together with iron supplements. Black tea and green tea contain a component called tannin that interferes with iron absorption, so it is better not to eat them together if possible. Do not take calcium-rich milk or medicines together with iron supplements. Pharmacist Jeong said, "There are differences depending on the type of iron supplement, but milk, antacids, laxatives, etc. containing calcium compete with iron when absorbed by the body, so it is recommended to take them at least 2 hours apart."