Simple tips to help the absorption of iron

The absorption of iron can be greatly improved when a few things are considered. The following tips include foods and ingredients which inhibit or enhance the absorption of iron and are thus recommended to be either avoided or actively cosumed when taking iron supplements such as Spatone:

• Avoid drinking tea or wine within 30 - 45min of taking iron supplements such as Spatone.
  The tannin in both these drinks can bind iron which prevents iron absorption in the stomach. Phosphates in fizzy drinks can have the same effect. 
  
  

• Leave 30 - 45min between the consumption of iron supplements such as Spatone and milk (e.g. in cereal). One glass of milk (contains ~ 165mg of calcium) can reduce the absorption of iron by more than half!
  
  The same applies to dairy products (e.g. yoghurt) and Vitamin and Mineral 
  supplements high in calcium.
  
  

• Phytates in cereal can also inhibit iron absorption. Leave a 30 - 45min gap between the consumption of cereal and iron supplements such as Spatone.
  
  

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is well known to assist the absorption of iron. That's why we recommend to dilute Spatone in a glass of orange juice.
  
  If you can't tolerate orange juice try apple, mango or pineapple juice.
  
  

Some drugs may inhibit the absorption of iron and iron can in turn inhibit the absorption of some drugs.
Here are a few examples but please do remember to always double check with your pharmacist or during pregnancy with your midwife.

Drugs that may inhibit iron absorption:

• Magnesium salts (oral)

• Tetracyclines

• Trientine

• Zinc

Drugs whose absorption can be inhibited by iron:

• Bisphosphonates

• Ciproflaxacin

• Entacapone

• Levodopa

• Penicillamine