Heme-Iron USP The dietary elemental iron is called organic or heme iron when it is bound to hemoglobin proteins, as is the case in meat courses. Heme iron and is absorbed as a whole molecule. The uptake is trough a separate mechanism than for non-heme iron. This gives an absorption of up to 40 % in iron deficiency   Other forms of digestible iron are inorganic as in pharmaceuticals and vegetables the iron molecule is bound to salts, chelates, starch, citrates or other chemical compunds. In this case the iron molecules must be separated from their carriers in the intestine before absorption. Since the uptake is fairly inefficient due to several reasons free iron ions are left in the intestine and affect other medication such as antacids and tetracyklins. It is also believed to be the reason for common unpleasant side effects such as constipation stomach pain and nausea.   Heme iron is taken up at a higher rate and has no side effects. New OmniFer® and OptiFer® represent a new form of food supplements that ue the natural organic iron, hemoglobin or heme iron.   The uptake of organic iron i meat and blood courses through the enzyme system in the stomach is virtually free from side-effects. It is also significantly higher and more stable than the uptake of organic plant iron or the syntethic iron in tablet preparations. Heme iron is taken up as a whole hemoglobin protein and digested in the gastric cells. It will not need to disassociate before uptake as is he case with all non-heme iron. This is called the heme iron uptake pathway.   All non-heme iron  is bound to salts, starch, citrate or is chelated. It is bonded hard and must be disassociated from its carrier before uptake. This means there are free iron ions in the gut and since free iron ions are very reactive there is irritation in the GI-channel. There may also be reactions with other medication such as antacids and tetracyclins.   In addition non-heme iron absorption is influenced by other simultaneously ingested foodstuff and drink. In practice doctors count on a third of therapies being disrupted due to the side effects of oral non-heme iron. The side-effects of heme iron are no more frequent than they are for placebo, which is 10 -12 %.   Intravenous iron injections have been shown to be effective, the iron depots in the body are secured and blood genesis is more effective. Side-effects in conjunction with the injections are few but serious allergic reactions may appear. There are theoretical risks with iron injections over a longer period of time. We as well as other researchers have found that intravenous iron injections cause periods of exacerbation of oxidative stress in the circulation. Additionally the iron content in the body is often too high, which is associated with chronic inflammation and vascular damage.   This is especially worrying since it is known that patients with for instance CKD have increased oxidative stress, chronic low-level inflammation and serious vascular disease. This is considered part of the exlanation as to why CKD patients often die prematurely because of cardio-vascular disease.   OmniFer® and OptiFer® tablets naturally have an ideal slow release mechanism in themselves since the protein complex dissolves very slowly. This gives a much-wanted steady and slow release of iron for an optimal intake and extremely low side effect risk. It also has a direct effect on compliance.