At NutriChem, we believe supplements should be more than just nutrients in a capsule, they should be effective, evidence-based tools for improving your health.
Ferrotrate is a perfect example of this commitment. Formulated in the early 1990s, Ferrotrate was one of the first iron supplements in Canada to combine iron with vitamin C, a forward-thinking innovation designed to maximize absorption and minimize side effects.
Why Iron Matters
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen through your bloodstream. It is a key component of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it from your lungs to your tissues. Iron also supports energy production, cognitive function, immune health, and overall vitality.
When iron levels are low, your cells don’t receive enough oxygen. This leads to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, pale skin, anxiety, brain fog, hair loss, and even depression or poor sleep. This is especially true in cases of iron deficiency anemia, a condition that requires prompt correction with well-absorbed iron supplementation.
Who Needs Iron Support?
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, and it affects several key groups more frequently:
- Infants and children under 2 years: Due to rapid growth and higher iron demands
- Teenage girls and menstruating women: Blood loss through menstruation can deplete iron levels
- Pregnant individuals: Their iron requirements double to support both mother and baby
- Older adults: Stomach acid production declines with age, making iron harder to absorb
- Vegetarians and vegans: Plant-based iron (non-heme iron) is less absorbable than iron from animal sources
- Athletes: Especially endurance athletes, who lose iron through sweat and higher turnover
- People with digestive or inflammatory conditions: This includes conditions like Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or chronic ulcers, which can cause internal bleeding and poor absorption
A Needed Shift: Ferritin Reference Ranges
For years in Ontario, the reference ranges for ferritin (the body’s iron storage protein) were set too low, with normal levels beginning at 15 µg/L. Many people with symptoms of iron deficiency were told their levels were “normal,” even when they were far from optimal.
In September 2024, Ontario lab reference ranges were updated to reflect more accurate and functional levels, a long-overdue change that aligns with what integrative clinicians and functional medicine practitioners have recognized for decades. Now, ferritin levels between 30 to 50 µg/L in adults over 18 and 20 to 50 µg/L in individuals under 18 are now recognized as indicators of probable iron deficiency.
At NutriChem’s clinic, we’ve always gone beyond “normal”, looking for optimal ranges that support real energy and quality of life.
Why Ferrotrate?
NutriChem developed Ferrotrate to overcome the biggest challenge in iron supplementation: absorption without side effects.
- Iron is notoriously hard to absorb, and poorly absorbed forms can lead to constipation, bloating, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Ferrotrate uses ferrous sulfate, a well-researched form of iron, paired with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to dramatically enhance absorption. Vitamin C provides the acidity iron needs to be properly absorbed in the gut.
- This thoughtful combination was ahead of its time, long before “bioavailability” became a buzzword.
- Ferrotrate is also formulated with vegetarian capsules, is gluten-free, and free from common allergens and additives.
What Sets NutriChem Supplements Apart
Ferrotrate is a reflection of everything NutriChem stands for:
- Formulated by clinicians: Not just for symptom relief, but for true functional support
- Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients: Because purity and potency matter
- Designed for optimal absorption: So your body can actually use what you’re taking
- Backed by decades of clinical experience: Our formulations are tested in the real world
- Covered by our satisfaction guarantee: Because we stand behind every product we make
Ready to Feel the Difference?
Whether you’ve been told your iron is “fine” but still feel exhausted, or you’re looking for a supplement that’s gentle and effective, Ferrotrate is here to help. Talk to one of our clinicians or pharmacists to learn if it’s right for you.
