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Bioavailability of Iron Forms

Meaning

Bioavailability of Iron Forms refers to the degree and rate at which different chemical structures of ingested iron are absorbed into the systemic circulation and become available for physiological use, particularly in the production of hemoglobin and various iron-dependent enzymes. This metric is clinically vital for determining the efficacy of oral iron supplementation and dietary iron intake. The body’s ability to utilize iron varies significantly depending on whether it is consumed as heme iron from animal sources or non-heme iron from plant and supplement sources.