Heme iron tablet supplements have been in use in Scandinavia for more than 30 years. There has been no cases of serious side-effects or poisonings reported a>er use by literally millions. The raw material is pharma-grade and comes with all necessary cerAficaAon

Is it safe?

It’s an organic product based on bovine hemoglobin.

Natural hemoglobin contains a relatively low content of iron, how does this work in tablets?

TradiAonally an iron salt such as Ferrous Fumarate has been added in the tablets at manufacture to raise the total content of iron.

Today there is a technology available that will transfer iron ions from added Ferrous Sulphate directly to the protein part of hemoglobin, which means the total content will be absorbed by the heme iron pathway.

The OptiFer® tablets contain only 18 mgs of iron. Is this enough?

This has to do with the basic dose regulated for food supplements, but since hemoglobin iron is so well absorbed, the efficacy means that the dose can compete with non-heme products with 50 mg or more per dose. (see “Iron supplementaAon in pregnancy: is less enough”, Eskeland et al Acta Obstet Gyn Scand 76 1997)

It is advantageous with a steady and slow absorpAon. Also, doses over 50 mg per day will inhibit zinc absorpAon. Heme iron in itself aids absorpAon of non-heme iron. OpAFer® tablets contain both heme- and non-heme iron.

Is there an upper limit to raw material availability?

In pracAce, the food industry is equipped to produce much more raw material than needed for supplement tablets.

Is the raw material, being organic, very sensitive?

The dried raw material powder when used as a in tablets is totally inert over Ame and not suscepAble to any disturbance. The product withstands Ame and heat and since the tablets are packed in airAght blister charts also moisture to a degree. Supplement/Food legislaAon however implies a best-before date, usually two or three years from date of manufacture.

What about religious concerns, such as halal or kosher?

The product contains material derived from bovine hemoglobin, which can be a sensiAve issue. However, when used purely as a medical supplement for a situaAon which can be fatal, it is therefore of no religious concern. (religious authority imam Mohammed Saieed Waezi)

Are there other forms of heme iron and why is natural bovine important?

The heme iron in OpAFer® products comes exclusively from bovine sources, unlike the other major form Heme Iron PolypepAde, which is fabricated out of porcine raw material by denaturing natural proteins or by using proteolyAc enzymes. It is listed to have as common side-effects gastro-intesAnal problems such as upset stomach, gas, diarrhea or consApaAon. Also, “Heme iron polypepAde may cause your urine or stools to turn a reddish-brown or dark color” In clinical studies natural heme iron preparaAons such as OpAFer® are reported to have the side-effects levels of placebo products. A total of 134 drugs (706 brand and generic names) are known to interact with heme iron polypepAde. Natural heme iron has no known interacAons or side-effects.

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