Maryruth Organics Iron | Supplementopedia

Overview

Maryruth Organics Iron is a vegan‑friendly dietary supplement that delivers a bio‑available form of elemental iron, most commonly ferrous bis‑glycinate chelate. Its primary purpose is to replenish systemic iron stores, supporting hemoglobin synthesis and overall cellular oxygen transport. The product is marketed as a gentle, non-constipating alternative to traditional ferrous sulfate preparations.

Benefits

Hemoglobin and Anemia: Clinical data show that iron supplementation improves hemoglobin concentration and reduces the prevalence of iron‑deficiency anemia (IDA) in women of child‑bearing age, adolescents, and athletes (WHO, 2022).
Physical Endurance: Adequate iron supports mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, thereby enhancing physical endurance and reducing fatigue.
Cognitive Function and Mood: Iron is a co‑factor for the enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis (e.g., dopamine, serotonin), so repletion can support cognition, mood, and memory (Rogers & Miller, 2021).
Metabolic and Immune Support: In metabolic contexts, iron supports thyroid hormone synthesis and supports immune cell proliferation, which contributes to optimal metabolic rate and immune competence (Krause et al., 2020).

How It Works

Absorption: Ferrous bis‑glycinate is absorbed in the duodenum via a carrier‑mediated, non‑heme pathway that utilizes the amino‑acid transport system (DMT1 and peptide transporters).
Intracellular Processing: Once inside enterocytes, the chelate dissociates, releasing Fe²⁺ that binds to intracellular ferritin for storage or is exported via ferroportin into the plasma, where it binds transferrin.
Hemoglobin Synthesis: The iron–transferrin complex delivers Fe³⁺ to bone‑marrow erythroid precursors for heme synthesis, a process essential for oxygen‑carrying hemoglobin.
DNA Synthesis: Additionally, iron acts as a catalytic co‑factor for ribonucleotide reductase, enabling DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.

Dosage

Typical Adult Dose: The typical adult dose of Maryruth Organics Iron is 18 mg elemental iron (≈ 1 tablet) taken once daily with a meal to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal irritation.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia: For individuals with diagnosed iron‑deficiency anemia, clinicians often prescribe 30–45 mg elemental iron daily, divided into two doses if gastrointestinal tolerance is an issue.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women may require 27 mg (the RDA) but should follow a clinician’s recommendation.
Interactions: Iron should not be taken simultaneously with calcium, zinc, or high‑dose vitamin C; spacing them by ≥2 h improves bioavailability.

Safety & Side Effects

Common Side Effects: Common adverse effects are mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, constipation) and, rarely, darkened stools.
High Dose Risks: High doses (>45 mg elemental iron) can cause oxidative stress and gastrointestinal irritation.
Contraindications: Contraindications include hemochromatosis, iron overload disorders, and active infections (iron can fuel bacterial growth).
Drug Interactions: Iron chelates may reduce absorption of tetracycline antibiotics and levothyroxine; a 4‑hour separation is advised.
Special Populations: Pregnant women and children should use only the recommended RDA, and individuals with chronic kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease should seek medical guidance before use.

Chemistry

Active Ingredient: The active ingredient is ferrous bis‑glycinate (iron(II) bis‑glycinate), an iron‑amino‑acid chelate with the empirical formula C₄H₈FeN₂O₂.
IUPAC Name: Its IUPAC name is bis(2‑amino‑acetate)iron(II).
Chelation Process: The chelation creates a six‑coordinate octahedral geometry where the Fe²⁺ ion is coordinated by two glycine ligands via the carboxylate oxygen and amine nitrogen, forming a stable, water‑soluble complex that resists precipitation in the acidic gastric environment.
Stability: The chelate’s stability constant (K_f ≈ 10⁶) contributes to its high bio‑availability and low gastrointestinal irritation compared with inorganic ferrous salts.

Sources & Quality

Ingredient Source: Maryruth Organics sources its iron from high‑purity, food‑grade ferrous sulfate that is subsequently chelated with glycine derived from non-genetically‑modified, plant‑based sources.
Chelation Process: The chelation process occurs under controlled pH and temperature to ensure complete complexation and to eliminate heavy‑metal contaminants.
Quality Control: The final product is tested by third‑party labs for elemental iron content, heavy‑metal limits (≤ 10 ppb lead), and microbial purity, meeting USP and FDA dietary‑supplement guidelines.
Manufacturing Standards: The company emphasizes sustainable sourcing and GMP‑certified manufacturing to ensure consistent potency and safety.