Comments on: Lactoferrin and Anemia http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/ Your Natural Health Critic Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:34:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: CC http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-7356 CC Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:12:12 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-7356 Hi, I came across this discussion while researching lactoferrin. Seems that most clinical studies use iron-saturated lactoferrin. Nevertheless, this goes contrary to the reviews posted for Jarrow's (apo) Lactoferrin on iHerb customers saying that it has helped with their anemia. I just received Jarrow Lactoferrin, but after reading this intelligent & informative discussion, I'm hesitant to begin using it for borderline anemia. I'm assuming that Life Extension’s and Jarrow's Lactoferrin are basically the same. It's discouraging that results vary so much. I hope this discussion continues. Thanks Hi,
I came across this discussion while researching lactoferrin. Seems that most clinical studies use iron-saturated lactoferrin. Nevertheless, this goes contrary to the reviews posted for Jarrow’s (apo) Lactoferrin on iHerb customers saying that it has helped with their anemia.
I just received Jarrow Lactoferrin, but after reading this intelligent & informative discussion, I’m hesitant to begin using it for borderline anemia.
I’m assuming that Life Extension’s and Jarrow’s Lactoferrin are basically the same.

It’s discouraging that results vary so much.
I hope this discussion continues.
Thanks

]]> By: JP http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-7239 JP Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:20:44 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-7239 Hi, Tom. I understand the points you're making. However, it's interesting to note that lactoferrin continues to perform well in studies evaluating anemic patients. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20646353 Be well! JP Hi, Tom.

I understand the points you’re making. However, it’s interesting to note that lactoferrin continues to perform well in studies evaluating anemic patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20646353

Be well!

JP

]]> By: Tom http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-7234 Tom Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:45:28 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-7234 I am a biochemist and was trying to figure out the amount of iron in lactoferrin supplements. it is minimal. Lactoferrin is very latge molecule that only binds two iron atoms. That is, even in fully saturated lactoferrin, the percentage of iron relative to the whole molecule is minimal. I calculated that you would need to consume about 800 mg in order to get ONE mg of iron. This is not a good iron source, and my guess is that the low iron version will bind to iron if taken with a meal and may lower iron absorption. I am a biochemist and was trying to figure out the amount of iron in lactoferrin supplements. it is minimal. Lactoferrin is very latge molecule that only binds two iron atoms. That is, even in fully saturated lactoferrin, the percentage of iron relative to the whole molecule is minimal. I calculated that you would need to consume about 800 mg in order to get ONE mg of iron. This is not a good iron source, and my guess is that the low iron version will bind to iron if taken with a meal and may lower iron absorption.

]]> By: David http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6556 David Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:59:24 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6556 FYI, I just found a brand of lactoferrin that is 80% apolactoferrin and 20% holo (iron-saturated) lactoferrin. I also posted an article on lactoferrin on my site. I will be updating it with this product I am mentioning, once I **Correctly** =) calculate how much iron is bound in that 20% holo lactoferrin. It is expensive though. 60mg capsules, and 30 capsules a box for like $60! It is called Lactoferrin Gold 1.8 http://scientificliving.net/2011/04/treat-cancer-and-anemia-naturally-with-lactoferrin/ ~David FYI, I just found a brand of lactoferrin that is 80% apolactoferrin and 20% holo (iron-saturated) lactoferrin. I also posted an article on lactoferrin on my site. I will be updating it with this product I am mentioning, once I **Correctly** =) calculate how much iron is bound in that 20% holo lactoferrin. It is expensive though. 60mg capsules, and 30 capsules a box for like $60! It is called Lactoferrin Gold 1.8

http://scientificliving.net/2011/04/treat-cancer-and-anemia-naturally-with-lactoferrin/

~David

]]> By: Rick http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6530 Rick Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:26:21 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6530 David - Interesting info. The primary measure I look at is serum ferritin, which is a measure of the body's iron stores. Actual serum iron can vary highly throughout the course of a single day, and so is a far less accurate measure (although I have always had it tested at the same time as the ferritin, along with transferrin). Feritin is an acute phase reactant, meaning that body insults including infections can cause it to *rise* temporarily, but not to fall. Maybe JP has further thoughts, but remember that supplemental Lactoferrin sold in the US appears to have been modified via removal of most of its iron content. That said, I still didn't expect it to cause a *decrease* in my ferritin (iron stores), either. It's always possible something else was going on to during the month I took Lactoferrin, but after I stopped it my ferritin remained level -- though still too low. I'm now supplementing with ferrous sulfate, a common iron supplement, and my ferritin levels seem to be going up nicely. David -

Interesting info. The primary measure I look at is serum ferritin, which is a measure of the body’s iron stores. Actual serum iron can vary highly throughout the course of a single day, and so is a far less accurate measure (although I have always had it tested at the same time as the ferritin, along with transferrin).

Feritin is an acute phase reactant, meaning that body insults including infections can cause it to *rise* temporarily, but not to fall.

Maybe JP has further thoughts, but remember that supplemental Lactoferrin sold in the US appears to have been modified via removal of most of its iron content. That said, I still didn’t expect it to cause a *decrease* in my ferritin (iron stores), either. It’s always possible something else was going on to during the month I took Lactoferrin, but after I stopped it my ferritin remained level — though still too low. I’m now supplementing with ferrous sulfate, a common iron supplement, and my ferritin levels seem to be going up nicely.

]]> By: David http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6526 David Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:30:39 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6526 Go back to this study: http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT01221844 "For this purpose, lactoferrin (Lf), a cationic iron-binding glycoprotein, able to chelate at high affinity (KD w10/20 M) two ferric ions per molecule (30), is emerging as an important regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, able to cure ID and IDA. Lf is synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils in infection and inflammation sites. In humans, free iron does not exceed 10-18 M to avoid precipitation, microbial growth and formation of reactive oxygen species. Lf in tissues and secretions and transferrin in blood assure that iron was bound and scarcely available as free-ion." What was the type of measurement that Rick had? Did it measure something that was "free"? Perhaps the lactoferrin did not remove the iron from his body, but just stored it properly? ~David Go back to this study:

http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT01221844

“For this purpose, lactoferrin (Lf), a cationic iron-binding glycoprotein, able to chelate at high affinity (KD w10/20 M) two ferric ions per molecule (30), is emerging as an important regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, able to cure ID and IDA. Lf is synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils in infection and inflammation sites. In humans, free iron does not exceed 10-18 M to avoid precipitation, microbial growth and formation of reactive oxygen species. Lf in tissues and secretions and transferrin in blood assure that iron was bound and scarcely available as free-ion.”

What was the type of measurement that Rick had? Did it measure something that was “free”? Perhaps the lactoferrin did not remove the iron from his body, but just stored it properly?

~David

]]> By: JP http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6108 JP Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:25:59 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6108 Rick, My wife takes 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid along with her iron supplements - once daily. By "working out better", I meant her lab results and, of lesser importance, the size of the pills. We first tried addressing the issue via a high-potency women's multi and diet alone. Then we did a trial using a so-called "gentle" iron supplement (iron bisglycinate). Of the three approaches, the ferrous fumarate + Vitamin C proved most effective. Be well! JP Rick,

My wife takes 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid along with her iron supplements – once daily. By “working out better”, I meant her lab results and, of lesser importance, the size of the pills. We first tried addressing the issue via a high-potency women’s multi and diet alone. Then we did a trial using a so-called “gentle” iron supplement (iron bisglycinate). Of the three approaches, the ferrous fumarate + Vitamin C proved most effective.

Be well!

JP

]]> By: Rick http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6107 Rick Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:56:24 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6107 Thanks, JP. How much vitamin C does/did she take with each dose of ferrous fumarate? Also, when you say "worked out better" are you referring to results, lack of side effects, or both? And what are some of the other strategies she tried? Thanks again. Thanks, JP. How much vitamin C does/did she take with each dose of ferrous fumarate? Also, when you say “worked out better” are you referring to results, lack of side effects, or both? And what are some of the other strategies she tried? Thanks again.

]]> By: JP http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6106 JP Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:36:49 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6106 Thanks a lot for reporting back, Rick. I'm really sorry it didn't work out well for you re: your ferritin level. Your other observations were also interesting and will almost certainly be helpful for others that read this thread. Much appreciated! BTW, I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this but my wife has found good success supplementing with ferrous fumarate. I make sure to add some Vitamin C (in the ascorbic acid form) at the same meal to promote greater absorption. This combination has worked out better than any other strategy or supplement that she's tried. As an upshot, the ferrous fumarate pills are tiny. This helps make them more manageable for anyone with swallowing issues. Be well! JP Thanks a lot for reporting back, Rick. I’m really sorry it didn’t work out well for you re: your ferritin level. Your other observations were also interesting and will almost certainly be helpful for others that read this thread. Much appreciated!

BTW, I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned this but my wife has found good success supplementing with ferrous fumarate. I make sure to add some Vitamin C (in the ascorbic acid form) at the same meal to promote greater absorption. This combination has worked out better than any other strategy or supplement that she’s tried. As an upshot, the ferrous fumarate pills are tiny. This helps make them more manageable for anyone with swallowing issues.

Be well!

JP

]]> By: Rick http://www.healthyfellow.com/309/lactoferrin-and-anemia/comment-page-1/#comment-6105 Rick Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:31:55 +0000 http://www.healthyfellow.com/?p=309#comment-6105 Sorry for all the typos in post 24 (and the last part of 23), but I think the intended meaning should be clear. Sorry for all the typos in post 24 (and the last part of 23), but I think the intended meaning should be clear.

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