Typical dose
Typically 50-200 mg of elemental iron per day, d...
Oral
Oral safety: moderate
About this supplement
Polysaccharide-iron complex is a non-ionic iron supplement where iron(III) is chelated to a polysaccharide polymer, typically derived from starch hydrolysis. This complex is designed to be more stable and less reactive than ionic iron salts, with improved gastrointestinal tolerance. The polysaccharide matrix surrounds the iron core, preventing direct contact with the gastric mucosa and reducing oxidative stress. It is considered a controlled-release form of iron, with absorption primarily occurring in the duodenum and jejunum via a different pathway than heme iron, potentially involving endocytosis of the intact complex. It is commonly used to treat iron deficiency anemia and is available in both liquid and solid oral dosage forms.
How much to take
- Typical amount
- Typically 50-200 mg of elemental iron per day, divided into 1-2 doses. Dosage is weight-based in pediatrics (e.g., 3-6 mg elemental iron/kg/day).
- Suggested range
- 50-200 mg elemental iron daily
Potential benefits
Benefits linked to this supplement form:
Things to watch for
Possible side effects linked to this form:
Health goals
Needs and goals this form may help with:
Other forms of Iron
Compare absorption and active amounts with sibling forms:
Ferrous Bisglycinate (Iron Bisglycinate)
Highly bioavailable, gentle-on-the-stomach iron supplement.
Ferrous Fumarate
Iron supplement for anemia prevention and treatment
Ferrous Sulfate
Common iron supplement for anemia. May cause stomach upset; take with food if ne...
Heme Iron Polypeptide
Heme Iron Polypeptide (HIP)
Gentle, high-absorption iron with minimal GI upset. Often derived from porcine s...
Iron alpha-ketoglutarate
Iron Amino Acid Chelate
Highly bioavailable, gentle iron form.
Iron ascorbate
Iron Bile salt
Iron Bile salt (unspecified)
Iron Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Iron oxide
Iron picolinate
Iron pyrite
Technical details ▼
Chemical ID (CAS)
9007-73-2
Formula
Complex; typically represented as [Fe³⁺(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ(OH)ₓ] where n represents polysaccharide chain length.
Physical properties
Dark brown to reddish-brown amorphous powder or solution. Soluble in water, forming a colloidal solution. Stable in neutral pH, but may hydrolyze in strongly acidic or alkaline conditions. Odorless.
How it’s made
Produced by reacting ferric chloride or ferric nitrate with a hydrolyzed polysaccharide (commonly polymaltose derived from starch) under controlled alkaline conditions. The mixture is purified via dialysis or ultrafiltration to remove unreacted ions and small molecules, then concentrated and spray-dried or stabilized in liquid form.