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Iron Nutrition Made Smarter with VEME® Iron
This article provides an overview of everything you need to know about iron nutrition and how VEME® helps.
Table of Contents
Why is iron vital for our health?
Iron is essential for many biological functions in our body:
(Expand each tab to learn more about iron's role in each function. →)
Oxygen transport and red blood cell formation
Iron is vital for producing healthy red blood cells, and it enables hemoglobin to transport oxygen to tissues and organs.
Energy production
Iron supports cellular metabolism and energy release.
Immune function
Iron supports the growth, development and activity of immune cells to help fight infections.
Cognitive health
Iron supports brain development and function for improved concentration, memory and processing speed.
Healthy hair, skin and nails
Iron promotes oxygen and nutrient delivery to these tissues, and is also an important cofactor in collagen synthesis required for connective tissue strength and skin health.
How iron supplementation may help
These are some of the improvements that have been reported in clinical trials to be associated with iron support:
What is iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency occurs when the body's iron stores are depleted. It is a major cause of anemia and could impair the body's ability to produce sufficient hemoglobin or maintain essential bodily functions.
Iron can be lost by the body through various ways such as menstruation and blood loss (e.g. after a blood donation), normal shedding of cells from the skin and hair, and perspiration, etc.
How much iron does your body need?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of iron for different genders and age groups in Singapore¹ are listed below.
Gender | Group | Iron RDA | Equivalent amount of beef steak² |
|---|---|---|---|
Female | 12 to <16 years | 18mg /day | 1.8kg |
16 to <18 years | 19mg /day | 1.9kg | |
18 to <60 years | 18mg /day | 1.8kg | |
60 years and above | 8mg /day | 800g | |
Pregnant women | 27mg /day | 2.7kg | |
Male | 12 to <16 years | 12mg /day | 1.2kg |
16 to <18 years | 6mg /day | 600g | |
18 years and above | 8mg /day | 800g |
¹Adapted from Health Promotion Board. (2022). Recommended Dietary Allowances for normal healthy persons in Singapore.
²Based on the heme iron content of 1mg/100g beef steak. Adapted from Cross, A. J., Harnly, J. M., Ferrucci, L. M., Risch, A., Mayne, S. T., & Sinha, R. (2012). Developing a heme iron database for meats according to meat type, cooking method and doneness level. Food Nutr. Sci., 3(7), 905-913.
Who is at risk of iron deficiency?
Women of childbearing age - regular blood loss via menstruation
Pregnant women - increased blood volume and iron requirements to support fetal growth
Elderly people - reduced food intake and absorption efficiency with aging
Children and adolescents - increased iron needed for rapid physical development
Vegans and vegetarians - plant foods lack heme iron, the most easily absorbed form
Individuals with poor dietary intake - skipping iron-rich foods (meat, legumes, fortified grains)
People experiencing frequent blood loss - e.g. after surgeries and blood donations
How to check if you may possibly be iron deficient?
You may not be getting sufficient iron from your diet If you experience any of these common symptoms:
Persistent fatigue and weakness
Pale skin
Fast/irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Dizziness - e.g. when getting up after sitting or lying down
Poor focus and slower cognitive function - brain fog
Brittle nails
Cold hands and feet
Hair loss
Heme vs Non-Heme Iron: The type and source of iron you consume matters!
Iron comes in 2 forms in our diet:
Heme Iron
✘ Traditionally only in animal sources - now plant-based with VEME®
✔ Easily absorbed by our body
✔Absorption less affected by diet
✔ Easy on the gut, no discomfort
Non-Heme Iron (Inorganic)
✔ Typically found in vegetables
✘ Poorly absorbed by our body
✘Absorption greatly affected by dietary factors (e.g. calcium, polyphenols, etc.)
✘ Non heme iron supplements can cause gut discomfort
Iron Absorption Rate in Animal vs Plant-Based Foods
Piskin, E.; Cianciosi, D.; Gulec, S.; Tomas, M.; Capanoglu, E. Iron Absorption: Factors, Limitations, and Improvement Methods. ACS Omega 2022, 7 (24), 20441–20456. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c01833.
Heme iron is the superior source of iron as it is much better absorbed by the body, and less susceptible to inhibition from dietary factors such as calcium, dietary fiber and polyphenols compared to non-heme iron sources.
VEME® Iron - The Better Option for Iron Nutrition
Developed by scientists at tHEMEat Company, VEME® (vegan heme) is a plant-based version of heme iron which is chemically identical to the heme iron that is obtained from animal meats - but derived 100% from plant sources.
VEME® offers the world's first vegan heme iron, combining the high bioavailability of heme iron with the ethical and sustainable benefits of plant-based nutrition.
Learn more about how VEME® Iron works here.
Experience smarter iron nutrition with VEME®. Click below to boost your iron health with VEME® today and feel the difference!
Note: The content in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.