Lactoferrin

[glorious-granny]

Anyone know about taking lactoferrin for better iron absorption? I didn't see mention of this when people writing about taking iron and I have been reading that it really helps with absorption. Also wondering if it would help since I am taking a PPI for GERD and I know that decreases the absorption. How much lactoferrin is an adequate dose. Would appreciate any info or experiences folks have had with this.

[ChrisColumbus]

I've not noticed references to lactoferrin here, but I may have just missed. The following papers look at IDA specifically rather than RLS, and the only dose numbers I've picked out refer to children's doses:

This Egyptian 80 child trial on iron-deficiency anaemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease concluded that 100mg of lactoferrin a day for 3 months significantly increased haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin compared to ferrous sulfate.

nature.com/articles/s41390-...

This Chinese review of various clinical trials in iron deficiency anaemia concluded that it provides evidence to support lactoferrin as a superior supplement to ferrous sulfate to improve serum iron, ferritin and haemoglobin levels.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Whippetmama]

You are fortunate that your PPI doesn't stir up your RLS. Makes mine go crazy

[glorious-granny in reply to Whippetmama]

Hmmm. Maybe it does? Another thing to think about since I have always taken it at night. I have recently stopped due to my fear of it not allowing the iron I am taking to absorb. I am taking pepcid instead and my RLS is better, but I am just recently started pregabalin and the iron.

[CsiguZ]

As you have GI issues and take PPI, very likely you developed SIBO and SIBO could be one of the many reasons of RLS. The benefit of lactoferrin over other iron supplements is that iron is bound to a protein in lactoferrin just like in our body and in this form it’s more difficult to consume by the bacteria lives in your small intestine. Moreover it has antimicrobial activity, thus can help with GI issues, especially SIBO.

[glorious-granny in reply to CsiguZ]

Can one take lactoferrin and iron? You make some very good points re my GI issues.

[CsiguZ in reply to glorious-granny]

Well, there are three types of Lactoferrin, but I belive all products contains all three. As lactoferrin on its own contains iron, I think it’s better not to take other iron supplements.

[DicCarlson]

I just commented on your previous post about SIBO. It is certainly worth a try to treat SIBO for both your GERD and iron deficiency. I had GERD so bad I went to the dentist thinking I had teeth issues, but it was GERD with so much stomach acid entering my mouth causing my teeth to ache.

I used the herbal protocol (with no testing that I actually had SIBO) - 4 drops of oil of oregano (100%) mixed in olive oil, with liquid garlic - daily for 4 weeks, then 2 weeks off.

siboinfo.com/herbal-antibio...

[glorious-granny in reply to DicCarlson]

Thank you so much! I am definitely going to do this. My GERD is awful if I miss a dose of my PPI and I just stopped taking it the last few days and am using pepcid instead, but I know from the past that I can only get away with those type of meds for a few weeks and they stop working. I will start the protocol this week! How long did you say you were on it before you noticed some positive results?

[DicCarlson in reply to glorious-granny]

You might also try increasing stomach acid during meals. I take HCL with Pepsin (250mg) with every meal and digestive enzymes. You could also use apple cider vinegar - a tsp. mixed with a glass of water. It sounds counterintuitive but it does work.