Balchem touts Cochrane’s analysis on iron’s health benefits beyond pregnancy

Balchem says new research into the benefits of iron supplements during and beyond pregnancy is opening growth avenues for women’s health brands. These findings, published by independent medical researcher Cochrane, show how prenatal iron supplementation reduces maternal anemia and its positive effects on infant birth weight.

“This meta-analysis underscores the critical role of iron for women’s health, highlighting the need for iron supplements that are effective, safe and tolerable for pregnant women,” comments Eric Ciappio, PhD, RD, senior manager of Nutrition Science at Balchem.

“Iron is becoming increasingly popular in pre- and post-natal supplements. However, to ensure that mothers and babies get the full health benefits from this mineral, choosing the right iron form is key.”

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia, affecting a significant proportion of pregnant women worldwide. Balchem stresses that globally, 36% of mothers-to-be experience anemia, of which 40% result from iron deficiency.

Even among pregnant women without anemia, up to 80% may be iron deficient by the third trimester, it underscores.

Beyond the health risks for the mothers, including increased susceptibility to infections and fainting, iron deficiency can also limit their ability to supply iron in sufficient quantities to their babies, affecting the infants’ growth, cognitive development and functioning.

Expanding on 2015 review

The updated analysis from Cochrane expands on a 2015 review, using a new screening tool for scientific integrity and trustworthiness from Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Six new studies were included for a total of 57 randomized, placebo-controlled trials, involving 48,971 pregnant women from 27 countries.

In line with the 2015 report, the review confirmed that daily iron supplementation during pregnancy reduces maternal anemia and iron deficiency around their due date, compared with placebo or no supplementation.

Additionally, the new meta-analysis allowed authors to examine the impacts of maternal iron supplementation on infant outcomes. Here, the study revealed that women taking iron supplements during pregnancy were probably at lower risk of delivering babies with low birthweight (less than 2,500 g).

Women taking iron supplements during pregnancy may be at lower risk of delivering babies with low birthweight (less than 2,500 g).“Only by prioritizing science-backed solutions can we truly meet the needs of women, ensuring they have access to the nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy and the best start for their babies,” Ciappio stresses.

Supplementing with the right iron form

The authors of the Cochrane review stress that in order to improve the success of iron supplementation as a public health intervention, it is critical to improve its accessibility and adherence.

Government-led action on the food system has been one important pathway in securing prenatal nutrition. In the UK, by the end of 2026, millers and flour producers must fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid to protect newborn babies from severe brain and spine problems.

The use of conventional iron salts during pregnancy, such as ferrous sulfate, is often associated with gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Balchem cites data evidencing that ferrous sulfate supplementation during pregnancy can result in more than three times greater odds of GI upset versus placebo, which may put consumers off taking them.

Balchem says ferrous bisglycinate demonstrates significantly greater bioavailability and tolerability when used during pregnancy compared to conventional iron forms.

“Supplementation with ferrous bisglycinate — the chelated iron form that powers Albion Minerals Ferrochel — was shown in a meta-analysis by Fischer et al. to provide greater improvements in hemoglobin status among pregnant women and reduce GI events by 64% compared to other iron salts,” Ciappio says.

“This enhanced efficacy is due to the chelation process, whereby the iron minerals are shielded by amino acids, which protect them from the environment in the body, supporting superior absorption and optimal tolerability.”

“By prioritizing the right form of iron, brands can differentiate themselves, formulating high-quality solutions that improve maternal and infant health outcomes that can effectively improve iron status while being gentle on the GI tract.”

Overcoming formulation and taste challenges

Formulators in iron supplements encounter two common challenges, stability and taste, which can be overcome with targeted solutions.

Earlier this year at Vitafoods 2024, gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum launched IronGum — high-dose iron gummies with a sensory appeal, specially formulated to eliminate the typical metal-like taste.

Tackling bioavailability, Lubrizol Life Science offers a microencapsulation technology that solves iron’s stabilization issue encountered when formulating it into baby formulas.