Nanoparticle or angstrom-sized iron is especially exciting for people with gut disorders, since normal iron is quite irritating to the gut and can trigger intestinal bleeding and/or result in constipation. However, due to its extremely tiny particle size (smaller than DNA) angstrom iron does not need to be digested. It is instantly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Previously, with conventional iron supplements, I advised quite a multi-step process in Listen To Your Gut for taking iron in order to boost absorption and guard against adverse effects. Most of that becomes unnecessary with angstrom or nanoparticle-sized iron, since it does not require digestion and therefore does not irritate the GI tract. As long as you take angstrom iron with plenty of water, there does not seem to be any ill effects.

We have been testing the Angstrom Minerals Iron Plus Vitamin C over at JPT Wellness Circle for several months now. Even people with some active bleeding have found it does not increase or trigger bleeding. Two people reported a tendency to constipation, but as soon as they began ingesting it with 4-8 ounces of water, the constipation disappeared.

I even tested it by taking 8x and then 16x the dose on one day – to see if a mega-dose would trigger anything. My stool turned green at the 16x dose, but that was all. In my teleseminar with pH balance expert, Maraline Krey (who prescribes a lot of nanosized minerals), she confirmed that this green color indicated my body was throwing the excess off into my bowels.

I wanted to test the super high dose because I was concerned by research on nanoparticle ferric oxide in rat models – which showed that it caused oxidative damage in their lungs when instilled intratracheally. However, ferric oxide is a pretty irritating form of iron and who breathes iron in anyway? But still, being cautious, I wanted to test it extensively on myself first, before recommending it to others.

Initially, I used this iron myself to raise both my hemoglobin and my ferritin (iron stores), taking 1 tablespoon once or twice per day. It works really fast and there are no intestinal effects as it does not require digestion. For this reason, it should be safe to use whilst bleeding – but go slowly and test it to be sure. The iron particles are angstrom-sized = .10 nm, very tiny nanoparticles, which are absorbed instantly into the blood and cells. It tastes fairly mild – like metallic water with a bit of a tang, so easy to get even kids to swallow. If you add it to a glass of diluted fruit juice, the taste is masked completely.

Ongoing, I take 1 tbsp/day, chased with lots of water, during menstruation and have been doing that for about a year, with no adverse effects. I know, it would be better for me to split it up into smaller, divided doses, but I just can’t be bothered! And as I have no sensitivities, it works fine for me taken in one big dose.

Dosage?

If treating anemia, ideally, you should take 1 tsp of the Angstrom Minerals Iron Plus Vitamin C in the morning and 1 tsp in the evening, washed down with lots of water.

For severe anemia (hemoglobin less than 7 or 70) , I would take 1 tsp, 3 – 4 times per day, washed down with 4-8 ounces of water.

It tastes only faintly of iron, but mostly just like metallic water.

If you are using it for maintenance, then I would think 1 tsp every other day (or even just twice a week) should be sufficient.

Test Sooner!

You can get your hemoglobin tested (to track your progress) within 30 – 45 days, rather than the usual 3 months, since this product builds hemoglobin so fast. For best results, make sure you are also getting adequate Vitamin B12 and folic acid – co-factors needed to utilize iron properly. This brand of iron comes with Vitamin C, but feel free to take extra – since it’s so beneficial. Many people don’t know that aside from boosting your immune system, Vitamin C is also essential for blood clotting and wound healing.

Remember though, do not take your vitamin C and folic acid at the same time – as they interfere with the absorption of each other.

Let me know what you think of it… and especially post any bloodwork results!

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© 2010 Jini Patel Thompson. You can copy or distribute this article as long as you include the author’s name and this bio:

Jini Patel Thompson’s books on natural healing for digestive diseases have sold in over 40 different countries. Her health articles have been published in journals and magazines in the U.S., Australia and U.K. www.ListenToYourGut.com