Ferrous Sulfate Supplementation

Too Tall

For / Against during in season training?

closesupport

for deffinately, but remember you need vitamin B to aid in the absorbtion of iron, and Vit C to help assist the absorbtion of vitamin B.

Ferrous sulphate is an iron preparation. Iron is a vital component of haemoglobin (oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells) and is therefore important in the formation of red blood cells. It is also a component of myoglobin, a pigment which stores oxygen in muscles for use during exercise.
Iron is an essential component of several enzymes and is involved the uptake of oxygen by the cells and the conversion of blood sugar to energy.

plus Vit B helps in the utilization of energy from carbohydrates.

bikeguy

or you could just eat some meat. I've heard this also has iron in it. ;-)

ric_stern/RST

Do not iron supplement, unless you have been specifically advised by a doctor who is monitoring your situation. At best, unless you are iron deficient it will do nothing (except waste your money) and at worse can cause severe issues (haemochromatosis)

ric

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wiredued

I have been riding atleast an hour 6 days a week and have been runing out of steam about half way through my workout unless I have a little red meat the day before. I would prefer supplementing Heme iron (red meat most absorbable form) to avoid the phosphorus of red meat. Does anyone know if there is a Heme iron supplement out there?

ric_stern/RST

why do you suspect that you're running out of steam is due to an iron deficiency, when it could be many other factors? if you're at all concerned that you're iron deficient you need to visit your doctor for a blood test, and not just to check your haemoglobin level.

ric

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wiredued

If I ever get hit by a car and need my arm sewn back on that would be a good time to visit the doctor. For making small adjustments to my supplements I think a blood test would be no more accurate than paying attention to symtoms of overdose and deficiency.

ric_stern/RST

actually, you'd visit a surgeon for that.

supplements aren't required assuming that you eat a normal mixed diet, including being a vegetarian, when you're in an equal energy balance or are slowly reducing fat mass. this applies to elite athletes as well.

considering that your exercise volume is low, and you seem to be struggling after ~30-mins it could be any number of issues, from fatigue, chronic glycogen depletion, burnout, illness, or even iron depletion.

supplementing with iron is a really bad idea, i suggest you see your doctor if you think your iron stores are low. don't visit your surgeon.

ric

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Too Tall

Thanks for the considerate replies. Agreed I should get a ferritin blood test first. Good news bad news. In retrospect I did not get the test and did take a low dose supplement for 12 weeks and am feeling much better. Bad news is I'll never know if low ferritin was infact the problem or not.

wiredued

Actually surgeons are doctors also. I am aware of the dangers of iron overload I have been on the high side in the past Bill Sardi's book "The Iron Time Bomb" is worth reading. I have avoided red meat in the past to correct this but with activity levels increasing (although not much by elite standards) this combined with fasting about 18 hours a week has brought me back to the point where I add iron to my diet again on an as needed basis. My opinions about doctors is not meant to start an argument with you it is my opinion based on my own experiences with doctors and your question asked for my reasons.

closesupport

if you pull down the bottom of your eye, that pink flesh there should be pink or dark in colour, if it is pail (grey) then you may need a supplement


If you have iron deficiency anemia, you may feel tired or look pale. Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood is low on healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues. Oxygenated blood gives your body energy and your skin a healthy color.

As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Your body needs the mineral iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen.

Iron deficiency anemia is common, especially in women. One in five women and half of all pregnant women are iron deficient. The cause of iron deficiency anemia can be a lack of iron in your diet, inadequate absorption of iron, or some form of blood loss, such as from menstruation or slow, internal bleeding. Iron deficiency anemia can also occur with pregnancy. It can develop at any age. Although iron deficiency is a common form of anemia, there are many other types, so if you suspect you have anemia, see your doctor.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/i...a-symptoms.html

Roadie_scum

Or you could get a blood test. What would be wrong with using the best and most accurate method to diagnose an insufficiency?

closesupport

yes you could get blood tested, which will ony tell you your blood count as long as it is between 10 and 14 or above 17 or below 10 would they tell you, probaly the easiest way is as i stated, look at the colour o the eye and the surunding tissue, you should take a little time to get to know your body, other than that you could go off the colour of your faeces, like if it is slimy looking, then your getting to much fat, or if it is dark in colour (black is a sign that you have enough or if lts pail yellowing usually is an indication that you require an aditional surce of iron).

as with urine if it is dark, then you have a larger supply of fats being used as energy. Ketosis and pssibly signs of dehydration.

Roadie_scum

I think you should master English expression before you chance your hand at physiology. What are you talking about?