The real reason it took us 8 years to release an iron supplement
Most conventional iron supplements use synthetic forms of iron bound to a salt or a chelate because they’re very inexpensive, widely available and easy to formulate with. You don’t have to wait for the crops to grow or consider the impact of weather on availability.
But they can also be difficult for many people to tolerate.
Dr Libby also didn't want to use animal foods. The Bio Blends philosophy has always centred around harnessing the intelligence of plants. Plus animal food sources of iron commonly used in supplements often require more than 10 capsules to deliver a decent dose. And then there’s the risk that animal liver accumulates toxins from what it has been exposed to…and on and on the conundrums went in the search for the ultimate iron solution.
For years in clinical practice, Dr Libby saw women who had stopped taking iron altogether because it made them feel worse, not better.
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Digestive discomfort
- Or months of supplementation with little movement in their results
So instead of settling for the easiest ingredient to source, she spent years researching food-origin forms of iron and the way iron naturally exists within nature.
That search eventually led to what has become her passion: ferritin-iron derived from organic peas.
It’s all in the form – and the quality
Ferritin is the natural storage protein for iron found in both plants and the human body.
In plants, ferritin acts as a protective cage around the iron, as well as an efficient storage structure. When consumed in whole food form – such as ferritin-iron from organic peas – this structure remains intact, helping support how the body recognises, absorbs and utilises the iron.
But sourcing iron this way is far more complex.
First, the pea crops need to be carefully grown and harvested. Then the ferritin-iron needs to be concentrated so that what goes into a capsule provides a meaningful dose that shows up when blood is retested.
Then there’s the reality that iron doesn’t work alone. Like every nutrient in the body, it relies on other nutrients to support its absorption, transport and utilisation.
That’s why we pair our ferritin-iron with:
- Beta-carotene from carrots
- Copper from sesame seeds
- Vitamin C from acerola
- And the prebiotic benefits of kiwi fruit
Each ingredient is intentionally selected to support how the body best utilises iron.
And Dr Libby won’t accept just any ingredient. Every crop must meet stringent quality standards for purity, potency and nutritional integrity before it ever becomes part of a Bio Blends formula.
This considered approach demands more…
More research.
More rigour.
More time.
More patience in sourcing.
It’s not the simplest route.
We choose it anyway.
Because if a supplement sits untouched in the cupboard because it makes someone feel awful, it won’t improve their quality of life.
This is why we get feedback like this from our customers
I didn't think this would help at all
I didn't think this would help at all. I was skeptical at first but after reading Dr Libby's book, I decided to give it a go. I was shocked to see my blood results as within two and half months my ferritin went from 16 to 43. I couldn't believe my eyes. This was the first time ever I had seen such an improvement in my blood results. I have recommended this product to many women now and also give it to my own kids! Thank you for a product that truly works without the painful side effects.
This is why quality matters – and why it’s always worth sourcing your ingredients carefully.
