Difference Between Chelated Iron and Gentle Iron

The key difference between chelated iron and gentle iron is that chelated iron contains iron atoms that are bonded to non-metallic ions, whereas gentle iron contains that are not bonded to non-metallic ions.

Iron is a chemical element having the atomic number 26 and chemical symbol Fe. This chemical element is essential to our body as it is crucial for the production of blood, and low levels of iron in the blood can cause harmful effects. Haemoglobin in blood contains iron atoms in the form of heme groups. Therefore, we have to take sufficient amounts of iron into our body, either through the food we consume or as an iron supplement. There are different types of iron supplements. Some of these supplements contain iron in a chelated form while other supplements contain gentle iron that is not chelated. Chelation means the hiding of a component through binding with other atoms or ions.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chelated Iron 
3. What is Gentle Iron
4. Side by Side Comparison – Chelated Iron vs Gentle Iron in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Chelated Iron?

Chelated iron is a type of iron supplement that contains chemically alternated iron. In other words, this type of iron supplements contains iron that is bound to non-metallic ions. This chemical alteration is important for iron atoms to pass through the digestive system without breaking down. After bonding with the non-metallic part, it becomes an iron complex, which is a new molecule. Instead of breaking down during its route through the digestive system, chelated iron gets carried into cells along with amino acids to which the iron is bound to. This gives iron efficient absorption.

However, there can be some side effects of using chelated iron. These include constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach cramps, nausea and black tarry stool. There are different generic forms and brand names for chelated iron supplements. For example, ferrous bisglycinate is a common generic chelated iron supplement. A common brand name for chelated iron is Gestafer.

What is Gentle Iron?

Gentle iron is a medication or a supplement that is important to prevent low blood levels of iron. Unlike chelated iron, gentle iron is free and not bound to non-metallic ions; thus, it does not cause serious constipation or digestive issues. Therefore, this type of supplement is the perfect choice for a sensitive stomach. The formula of gentle iron is different from other chelated iron supplements, and this supplement contains both heme and non-heme iron that can enhance absorption while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects.

What is the Difference Between Chelated Iron and Gentle Iron?

Iron is an essential chemical element to our body. We can get iron through the food we consume, or we can get it as an iron supplement. There are different iron supplements that contain gentle iron or chelated iron. The key difference between chelated iron and gentle iron is that chelated iron contains iron atoms that are bonded to non-metallic ions, whereas gentle iron contains that are not bonded to non-metallic ions.

Moreover, chelated iron can cause side effects like constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach cramps, nausea and black tarry stool while gentle iron has minimum gastrointestinal side effects and does not cause constipation.

Below infographic summarizes the differences between chelated iron and gentle iron.

Summary – Chelated Iron vs Gentle Iron

Iron is a chemical element that is essential to our body. We can get iron through the food we consume, or we can get it as supplements. There are different iron supplements that contain gentle iron or chelated iron. The key difference between chelated iron and gentle iron is that chelated iron contains iron atoms that are bonded to non-metallic ions, whereas gentle iron contains that are not bonded to non-metallic ions.

Reference:

1. Gentle Iron Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing. Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Assorted medicine pills, medication, pills, food supplements, pill, dose, medicine, studio shot, capsule, large group of objects” (CC0) via Pxfuel

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