why optifer® heme iron supplements are good for the planet

Why Op'Fer® is good for the planet

Things you need to know


Low iron counts and even anaemia due to iron deficiency is a widespread problem. Among adolescents, it will bring consequences on growth, school performance, morbidity and reproduc've performance.

Iron deficiency also has several nega've physical symptoms such as 'redness, headaches and difficulty to concentrate.


Adolescents, especially girls, are par'cularly vulnerable to iron deficiency. The highest prevalence is between the ages of 12-15 years when requirements are at a peak.

In all Member States of the South-East Asia Region, except Thailand, more than 25% of adolescent girls are reported to be anaemic; in some countries the prevalence is as high as 50%.

(WHO, hUp://www.searo.who.int/en'ty/child_adolescent/documents/sea_cah_2/en/)

Asia’s catastrophic malnutri'on levels are the single greatest barrier to the evolu'on of a modern, knowledge-based work force that can manage the economic powerhouse it has the promise to become.

Sheila Sisulu, World Food Programme Deputy Execu've Director,


Although younger girls o]en appear to be in good health, low iron levels profoundly affect many aspects of their day to day lives, including an ability to concentrate, and thus learn, in school.

"In tests we have carried out we think that the IQ in Bri'sh girls who get enough iron in their diets and those who are anaemic can mean the difference of a whole grade in school exams". Dr Mike Nelson, nutri'onist at King's College


What you cannot learn in school at a par'cular 'me is very hard or even impossible to compensate for later in life.

This goes for all sufferers of iron deficiency worldwide.


"Iron deficiency and anaemia affect more than 3.5 billion people around the world resul'ng in health problems and cogni've impairment at all stages of life." (WHO, World Health Organiza'on)


A mother weakened by iron and vitamin A deficiency cannot give her children the upbringing needed to complete their educa'on and achieve their full social and economic poten'al.

As the primary caregiver of the family, a mother needs essen'al micronutrients in order to do her job well.


It is also crucial for infants and young children to get good nutri'on at this vital stage of their development.

Malnutri'on in early childhood undermines children’s physical stature and cogni've abili'es and impedes their performance in school.


Undernourished adolescent girls bear underweight babies, who then con'nue the insidious cycle of malnutri'on into the next genera'on Anaemic adults and children cost developing countries billions of dollars in lost produc'vity, according to a recent study.


"One in three of the world's popula'on suffers from anaemia so this has tremendous economic consequences," said Sue Horton, a University of Toronto economics professor and lead author of the study, 'The Economics of Iron Deficiency


All iron comes from the diet

There are only two kinds of iron that we can use; heme iron from meat, poultry or fish and non-heme iron from vegetables, dairy products or chemically bonded iron in the usual supplements.

The solu'on

Heme iron is taken up along the whole gastro-intes'nal tract (not only the first part).

Unlike non-heme iron, absorp'on is not affected by other chela'ng components of the diet such as phytates, tannates and phosphate.

The solu'on

All regular supplements are syntethic. They feauture chemically bonded iron such as Ferrous Sulphate, Ferrous Fumarate or Ferroglycine Sulphate)..

Heme iron is natural for man

The solu'on

”Conven'onal iron deficiency treatment with pharmacological iron doses o]en causes side effects such as abdominal pain, cons'pa'on and diarrhoea” (CDC.: Recommenda'ons to prevent and control iron deficiency in the United States. MMWR Recom Rep. In. Atlanta, Georgia; 1998: 1-29.)

The solu'on

Heme iron supplements are made with natural bovine hemoglobin. It is a natural (non-

syntethic) form of therapy also containing a mul'tude of micro-nutrients.

The solu'on

Heme iron has been used in large scale as an iron supplement in Scandinavia for over 30 years with no reported serious side-effects or poisonings. (Frykman E, et al: Side effects of iron supplements in blood donors. J Lab Clin Med. 1994, 123(4):561-564.)

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The solu'on

Heme iron therapy has the simplest possible dosage: One or more tablets once per day, at any'me. No need to consider other simultaneously ingested foodstuff or drink.

Uptake for heme iron is 20 – 40 %. Heme iron is very well tolerated. There are no known unpleasant side-effects. Uptake or tolerance will not change over 'me. (Frykman E, et al: Side effects of iron supplements in blood donors. J Lab Clin Med. 1994, 123(4):561-564.)

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The solu'on

Heme iron produc'on also helps a serious environmental issue.

Blood from slaughter is very harmful for the environment in several ways and is considered

problem waste.

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The solu'on

Swedish company MediTecFerroCare Division marke'ng the Op'Fer® series of heme iron supplements has a strong commitment to

reach people suffering from iron deficiency, but have problems with exis'ng supplements.

FerroCare/MediTec Division has a focus on fair life regardless of sex, race or creed.

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The solu'on

www.op'fer.interna'onal www.hemeiron.com www.meditec.se YouTube

why optifer® heme iron supplements are good for the planet

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