Can low iron levels lead to lower energy levels even if I am not anemic?
Yes. Impaired physical performance due to iron deficiency is not dependent on anemia. The iron-dependent enzymes involved in energy production and metabolism will be impaired long before anemia occurs. What is the best form of iron? A There are two forms of dietary iron, “heme” iron and “non-heme” iron. Heme iron is iron bound to hemoglobin and myoglobin. It is the most efficiently absorbed form of iron. The absorption rate of non-heme iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate and ferrous fumarate is 2.9% on an empty stomach and 0.9% with food. This is much less than the absorption rate of heme iron, as found in liver, which is as high as 35% In addition, heme iron is without the side effects associated with nonheme sources of iron such as nausea, flatulence, and diarrhea. Unbound non-heme iron is also more likely to spin off prooxidants and lead to the formation of free radicals than heme iron. For this reason, many practitioners elect to use heme iron sources when iron supplementation
