Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency globally, and is particularly prevalent among menstruating and pregnant women, teenage girls, and children. In the U.S. in 2023, nearly 40% of adolescent girls and young women were iron deficient. Iron is essential not only for oxygen transport, but for ATP production, hormone synthesis, neurotransmitter production, immune support, and cognitive development. While supplementation to address iron deficiency is relatively normal, it generally relies on iron sulfate or other iron salts; while inexpensive and widely available, these forms have well-documented GI side effects that lead many people to stop treatment.
SloIron®, the Intelligent Iron Delivery System™
True differentiation lies in delivery mechanism, not just dose. SloIron® is the Intelligent Iron Delivery System™. It is among the first commercially available phytoferritin supplements, aligning with the biology of controlled iron release via intact ferritin absorption. This plant-based ferritin iron has superior tolerability, physiological alignment, and formulation flexibility. Because of its unique absorption mechanism, it can deliver iron as the body needs it while avoiding the GI side effects often seen with traditional iron sources. Further, the mild sensory profile and stability open the door to formats that are typically challenging for iron fortification, including gummies, powders, chews, and functional foods. SloIron® is non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and produced from organic legumes (pea, soy) in the United States.
SloIron®, for Women’s Health
SloIron® has multiple competitive advantages for iron supplementation generally and the women’s health market specifically. Across the board, the greater gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability, with clinical trials showing lower nausea and constipation compared to ferrous sulfate, is a strong comparative win. With the growth of vegan supplements (predicted CAGR 13% from 2023 to 203), delivering a 100% vegan, non-GMO, sustainable legume source iron provides brands the ability to target younger, more sustainably minded consumers. This also resonates with the clean label message of food-based supplements, while also allowing stability in functional food formats. In terms of the women’s health market, brands can deliver a resonant message: “Gentle iron for pregnancy—no nausea or constipation. Keep your baby happy and your gut happy.” Given the higher incidence of conditions such as IBS and IBD in women, focusing on the ability of delivering an iron supplement that doesn’t irritate the gastrointestinal tract is a winning proposition.
SloIron®: Plant-based Ferritin Iron
Natural – Gentle Absorption – Plant-based – Research-backed
SloIron® is a revolutionary iron ingredient that is ferritin-iron naturally sourced from legumes. It is vegan, NON-GMO and is produced in the USA.
What makes SloIron® different?
SloIron® has a unique absorption mechanism in the human gut that differentiates it from every other iron form. SloIron’s absorption mechanism is non-irritating and may offer a safe alternative for those struggling with sensitivity to other iron supplements currently on the market. SloIron® is a natural vegan source of iron that is just as bioavailable as ferrous sulfate.
How does SloIron® work?
Ferritin iron is organized in such a way that the ferritin protein acts as a protective cage for the iron, which is contained within the ferritin shell as a bionanomineral called Ferrihydrite (Fe203H20). The ferritin cage serves as a natural enteric coating for the Fe and is not broken down inside the stomach.
When it reaches the gut, the gut cell absorbs the ferritin protein cage as a whole using a dedicated absorption mechanism called receptor-mediated endocytosis. Because the Fe is still contained within the ferritin cage during the entire process of this absorption mechanism, it keeps the reactive Fe from ever being exposed to the gut cell wall. This is unique to ferritin-iron because all other iron forms require the naked Fe to pass independently through the gut cell wall, which may cause irritation to the gut, and consequent side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort and constipation.
Human Clinical Studies
In a study published in 2023, 40 premenopausal Japanese women were given 5mg of SloIron® , which was increased to 10mg at week 6, for a total of nine weeks immediately after menstruation. The results showed a significant difference in the change of hemoglobin levels between the groups, confirming the restorative effect of SloIron® on low hemoglobin levels caused by menstruation. A significant difference was observed in the change of serum ferritin as well after nine weeks of intake showing the effectiveness of SloIron® in restoring low ferritin levels caused by menstruation (Kuriyama et al 2023).
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