Iron Bisglycinate
Iron bisglycinate is a chelated form of iron in which the mineral is bound to the amino acid glycine. It provides the essential mineral iron in a form commonly used when absorption and digestive tolerance are important considerations.
Iron itself is required for haemoglobin formation, oxygen transport, cellular energy metabolism and normal cognitive and immune function.
Iron, Haemoglobin and Oxygen Transport
Most of the body's iron is found within haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
Iron is also present in myoglobin, a related protein that helps store and transport oxygen within muscle.
This makes adequate iron particularly important for tissues with high energy requirements, including the muscles and brain.
When iron stores become inadequate, the body can eventually produce fewer or smaller red blood cells and its ability to transport oxygen efficiently can decline.
Why Use Iron Bisglycinate?
Traditional iron supplements often use forms such as ferrous sulphate.
These can be effective sources of iron but may cause digestive side effects including nausea, constipation or abdominal discomfort in some people.
Iron bisglycinate is a chelated form in which iron is bound to glycine. Research suggests it can provide good absorption while producing fewer gastrointestinal side effects than some conventional iron salts in certain populations.
This makes it particularly useful in supplements designed for regular use where digestive tolerance is a priority.
Iron and Everyday Energy
Iron does not provide energy in the way carbohydrate or fat does, but it is essential to the processes that allow the body to produce and use energy.
By supporting haemoglobin and oxygen transport, adequate iron helps ensure tissues receive the oxygen needed for normal cellular metabolism.
Iron also forms part of enzymes involved in mitochondrial energy production.
Low iron status can therefore be associated with symptoms such as fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, weakness and difficulty concentrating, although these symptoms can have many different causes.
Persistent fatigue should be investigated rather than automatically assumed to be caused by iron deficiency.
Iron and Brain Function
The brain depends on a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients.
Iron also participates in processes involved in neurotransmitter production and normal nervous system function.
Maintaining adequate iron status is therefore relevant to concentration, cognitive performance and normal neurological function as well as physical energy.
This becomes particularly important when iron requirements are increased or dietary intake is low.
Who May Need More Iron?
Iron requirements vary considerably between individuals.
People with greater risk of inadequate iron status can include:
- Menstruating women
- Pregnant women
- Frequent blood donors
- People following diets low in readily absorbed iron
- People experiencing ongoing blood loss
- Individuals whose blood tests show low iron stores
Plant foods such as legumes, whole grains, leafy vegetables and fortified foods provide non-haem iron, while meat and other animal foods provide both haem and non-haem iron.
People eating predominantly plant-based diets may need to pay greater attention to iron intake because non-haem iron is generally absorbed less efficiently.
Vitamin C and Iron Absorption
Vitamin C can improve the absorption of non-haem iron.
It helps maintain iron in a chemical form that is easier for the intestine to absorb, which is why vitamin C is frequently combined with iron in supplements.
Foods rich in vitamin C, including kiwifruit, berries, citrus fruit and capsicum, can also help increase iron absorption when eaten alongside plant-based sources of iron.
Tea and coffee contain polyphenols that can reduce non-haem iron absorption, so separating them from iron supplements can be useful.
Testing Iron Status
Iron is one nutrient where more is not automatically better.
Blood tests can help determine whether additional iron is appropriate. Ferritin is commonly used as an indicator of stored iron, although it can be influenced by inflammation and should be interpreted alongside other clinical information.
People with persistent fatigue, unexplained weakness, shortness of breath or suspected iron deficiency should seek appropriate testing rather than relying on supplementation alone.
Iron can also interact with some medications, including thyroid medicines, so timing may need to be separated.
Iron Bisglycinate in O2B Products
At O2B Healthy, iron bisglycinate is the primary iron source in O2B Gentle Iron, where each capsule provides 12 mg of elemental iron alongside vitamin C to support absorption. It is also included in O2B Multi Mineral, providing iron as part of a broader mineral formula. Across these products, iron bisglycinate supports normal red blood cell formation, oxygen transport, cellular energy and healthy iron status.