What are the benefits of Iron?
Iron is an essential mineral for human health and works primarily by carrying oxygen around the body and into our cells. That oxygen is then used to power up energy levels; support muscle growth; fuel brain focus and concentration levels, detoxify certain unwanted substances and keep the immune system on standby.
What does the research say?
Iron is all about strength & energy
When we think about iron we immediately picture strength and resilience. Rather like carrying around your own arc reactor of power, iron works in the body by carrying around molecules of oxygen to wherever they’re required. It’s that oxygen that’s needed to ward off tiredness; build up muscles and endurance; help us study or concentrate, fire up the immune system and even keep us warm.
How does Iron work?
Oxygen Transport
- Once inside the body, iron is used by many cells to make heme. This then becomes either hemoglobin in all red blood cells, or myoglobin in muscle cells. It’s the iron in the heme that latches onto oxygen, transporting it around the body and keeping it in the cells where it’s needed.
Energy & enzyme production
- Without enough iron, oxygen levels in the cells can become depleted resulting in tiredness, fatigue and reduced concentration. Aside from this essential function, iron also helps make certain key enzymes that help the body function optimally.
Iron for fatigue
To produce energy, we need oxygen. In every cell, the oxygen we breathe is combined with glucose to power up the energy cycle and stop us feeling tired. But the only way oxygen can be transported around the body is by latching it onto iron molecules in hemoglobin and myoglobin. When we’re low in iron, everything slows down and we can start to feel lethargic and tired. Iron levels can also affect sleep, so not getting enough can be a double whammy for fatigue.
Iron for concentration
As with fatigue, it’s all about the oxygen that iron carries around the body that makes it so important for brain function. In fact, the brain needs about 20% of all the oxygen in your body to function optimally. When iron levels in the blood drop, concentration and and attentiveness are affected almost immediately. Restoring iron levels to a normal range can improve concentration and boost cognitive performance.
Iron for muscle growth
Once iron gets into muscle cells it helps bind and store oxygen as part of myoglobin molecules. Because muscles use up oxygen when you exercise or move, having greater stores allows us to move or exercise at higher intensity and for longer. More oxygen therefore allows muscles to strengthen and grow more effectively.
Iron for mood
Iron is an essential part of many of the enzymes that make neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Research has shown a link between low levels of iron with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In particular, low iron is associated with low serotonin levels.
Iron for the immune system
Immune cells thrive on oxygen and the only way the oxygen reaches them is when it’s carried there by iron in the blood. If the supply of red blood cells that carry oxygen is low, then the immune system can suffer. Oxygen also helps kill bacteria directly and fuels all the cells that guard against viruses and other invaders.
What is the best way to take Iron?
Iron bisglycinate has been shown to be 2 or 3 times more efficiently absorbed than iron sulphate. And because we’ve wrapped our iron in lipids, it’s protected from ingredients like phytates and caffeine in food and drink that can interfere with iron absorption when taken together. This clever formulation also minimises those uncomfortable gastric side effects that you usually get from taking iron supplements. Another factor that affects iron absorption levels is Vitamin C, which is why we've included 200mg per sachet to make sure the every last drop gets makes its way directly into the bloodstream.
Signs of iron deficiency
Tiredness and lethargy are probably the most recognisable symptoms of low iron levels. But if there’s less oxygen flowing around the body, it affects both mind and body. Concentration and focus, muscle strength and endurance and even nail or hair strength can suffer as a result of iron deficiency. Finally, as oxygen is a key component of the immune system, you may find yourself suffering from more colds and coughs if your iron levels are low.
Is Iron suitable for everyone?
As Ashwagandha can have a large impact on many functions within the body, we always recommend consulting with a medical professional if pregnant, breastfeeding, on existing medication or on the oral contraceptive pill before including Ashwagandha in your daily routine.
Common contraindications of Ashwagandha include sedatives, diabetes medication, medication for high blood pressure, immuno-suppressants and thyroid medications.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
How much iron is in each sachet?
Each sachet contains 100mg of iron bisglycinate, with an impressive 20mg of active magnesium per sachet - plus an additional 200mg of Vitamin C per sachet.
What are the ingredients?
Iron Zooki is sugar free, dairy free, gluten free, soy free and contains zero artificial ingredients. To see the full list, please see the individual product pages and click the "Ingredients and info" drop down placed just below the price of the product.
What is Iron?
Iron is an essential mineral nutrient required by the human body for various functions, primarily the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Deficiency can lead to anaemia, characterised by fatigue and weakness due to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
How much Iron should I take?
Take one sachet daily, either straight from the sachet or add to water, juice, yoghurt and fruit.
Can I take Iron Zooki if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
We always recommend people who are pregnant or breastfeeding check with a medical professional before they take any new dietary supplement.
How does Iron Zooki differ from other Iron supplements?
Iron Zooki contains iron bisglycinate, a form of iron which is gentle on the stomach. Typical high-street iron supplements are notorious for causing constipation - and we've formulated Iron Zooki to combat just this.
And just like all Zooki products, we've wrapped the iron in lipids to increase the transport and absorption of magnesium around the body.
Is Iron Zooki free from gluten, dairy, soy, alcohol, sugar?
Iron Zooki is free from gluten, soy, dairy and alcohol.
Is Iron Zooki vegan friendly?
Iron Zooki is perfectly suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike.
Shop Zooki Iron
Iron, Liposomal Liquid Sachets
Meet the author...
Sarah Carolides is one of the UK's top functional medicine and nutrition specialists with over 20 years experience, listed by Vanity Fair as one of 'The A-List people to know in London.'