do iron supplements cause smelly gas?

Usually taken orally, iron supplements help to build red blood cells and keep your iron levels balanced. It is the sulfur compounds that cause gas to smell, and the formation of sulfur occurs by metabolism of food in the colon, principally by gut bacteria, says Jacqueline Wolf, MD, a gastroenterologist Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and author of A Womans Guide to a Healthy Stomach: Taking Control of Your Digestive Health. Some drugs can produce a smell of metal. You may notice that you have less constipation if you take your iron supplement with food. Now stir and . Which supplements may help reduce flatulence? Such foods include beans, Brassica vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts), lentils, onions, prunes, apples, and others. Most people pass gas at least 12 times per day. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. This may be reduced by reducing the dose or dividing it over the course of the day. Taking the appropriate dosage of iron is unlikely to cause any side effects. This is because our system does not absorb or digest the sugar content. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What supplements dont cause GI side effects? Iron supplements are a great way to battle anemia and reverse an iron deficiency, especially if diet changes alone are unsuccessful. Thats when it becomes, On top of that, some of our favourite healthy foods can actually. Heather Gloria began writing professionally in 1990. This can result in iron deficiency anemia symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic, and may include: Read More: 3 Fast Ways of Getting Iron in the Blood. By contrast, fumarate and gluconate are sugars that your body can digest and which enhance the absorption of the iron to which they are bound. Passing gas more than 20 times per day is not . This blog breaks down everything you need to know, including what makes a, Anemia is a condition in which you dont have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. Constipation is the most common side effect, but iron supplements can also cause nausea, indigestion, gas and bloating. et al. Symptoms of an iron overdose can affect the entire body and include: Stomach and intestines: liver damage, nausea and vomiting blood, metallic taste in mouth, black bloody stools. Certain age groups and chronic illnesses can increase your iron deficiency risk. Consumerlab.com's answer explains. This includes: Other potential side effects of iron supplements include: In rare cases, a serious allergic reaction to iron supplements can occur. Antacids. In that case, your bile . The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data. If youre lactose intolerant, some milk-based foods you may want to avoid or choose non-dairy alternatives or lower-lactose options for are yogurt, ice cream, and cheese. Opioid pain medicines. Some digestive enzymes, including alpha-galactosidase (Beano) can help break down indigestible nutrients such as plant fiber. Iron supplements are a great way to battle anemia and reverse an iron deficiency, especially if diet changes alone are unsuccessful. Still trying to get my head around all this. Most people get sufficient iron from their diet. convulsions (seizures) pale, clammy skin. "The first thing you might want to do is think back to what you ate," Dr. Lee says. Call your doctor if you have any of the following: Side effects from iron supplements can make it difficult for some people to comply with treatment. Causes of smelly flatulence can range from harmless to potentially severe. Some of these include: peptic The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports that female swimmers who took 125 milligrams of ferrous sulfate per day -- well over the tolerable upper limit of 45 milligrams per day -- experienced no gastrointestinal side effects 3. Iron supplements are known to cause gas and bloating. Most people can fulfill their iron needs through food, such as meat. Stop taking iron supplements and see your doctor if your gas is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss; oily, bloody, tarry or unusually foul-smelling stools; nausea; vomiting or heartburn. It is important to keep in mind that taking iron supplements can cause side effects. If you experience flatulence with ferrous sulfate, ask your doctor about switching to ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate. for unusual substances, such as dirt or ice, Poor Clearly metallic-smelling bowel movements may be the sign of something entirely harmless like iron supplements or antibiotics. Stop taking iron supplements and see your doctor if your gas is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss; oily, bloody, tarry or unusually foul-smelling stools; nausea; vomiting or heartburn. Start by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of warm milk, then add some honey. Smelly flatulence may be caused by high fiber in food, constipation, and bacteria. Many high fiber foods can cause you to pass more gas. 2019;133:30-9. doi:10.1182/blood-2018-05-815944. drink a lot of water to help with constipation. Here are some causes: Lactose intolerance or lactose malabsorption is a condition in which a person is unable to digest the lactose (a sugar present in milk). Iron supports muscle contraction and helps maintain healthy connective tissue. Which foods cause gas? The amount of iron you need on a daily basis depends on your age and gender. If you are an alcoholic, then you must quit. According to Wirtz, taking magnesium supplements can also cause magnesium toxicity, which in turn can "result in various side effects such as low blood pressure, vomiting, retention of urine, depression, and muscle weaknesses." However, Wirtz clarifies that this particular side effect is unusual and "generally associated with . When a person's . little tmi but i have noticed since i have been taking my iron supplementsi have had horrible gas, and by horrible i mean constant and the smell could gag a pig jamielgray Posted 2/5/09 Headache. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. include adequate amounts of fiber in your diet to combat this symptom. An ideal bowel movement appears medium brown and has a slight smell. high, IV-level absorption rates. The digestive system easily cleaves the bond between powder and anti-foaming agent, and this is where the supplement causes gas and bloating. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. The condition is common and one of the above remedies is supposed to cure your smelly farts. And what can you do about it? Plus, Ferosom is microencapsulated in Liposomal form, which means it doesnt have to be converted for your body to absorb it. No, but iron is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. Discovering need to treat high blood pressure may be too late. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made. Medium chain triglyceride oil may cause flatulence when used in large doses (e.g., five tablespoons twice daily). The confession inspired me to write an article about smelly flatulence causes and cure so that I can at least save another couple from breaking up. Changes in bowel movements/abnormal feces. So, how do you know which iron supplements will give you the iron boost you need while minimizing side effects? The only way to tell if this is due to blood would be to have the sto. Avoid iron overloading by spacing out your doses and trying not to exceed 150 mg of iron per dose. Blood. Although its . Fatty meats contain large amounts of methionine, which contains sulfur and is broken down in the gut to hydrogen sulfide to cause a rotten egg smell.. They are made from soft fabric, are thin and comfortable. Gas and bloating. Read More. This includes the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. Answer (1 of 4): Iron supplements can cause severe constipation which slows down the GI tract thus impacting the effect of gas-producing foods in your diet. If you are taking iron supplements without a prescription: Do not take iron supplements by mouth if you are receiving iron injections. You may, therefore, try using fart pads as a temporary remedy. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. drowsiness, apathy, coma, Skin: bluish-colored lips, fingernails and palms of hands; skin Reason 8: too little fiber. If you need fiber, go with dietary changes before supplements. The disease causes excessive foul smelly flatulence and greasy yellowish stool. Speak with your healthcare provider if you intend to use iron supplements and take these or any other chronic medication. In this case, you will have to endure until you complete the dosage. Iron supplements, also known as "iron pills," are commonly used to prevent and treat anemia. Learn more about sugar alcohols, including maltitol and lactitol, why some products contain them, and possible side effects. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) in foods that arent completely digested in our intestines, according to Monash University. Lynch SR, Cook JD. . Parasites in the body can also result in smelly stool or gas. The disease is hereditary and affects close to three million Americans. Best to call your doctors office for advice. However, iron can be rough on your gastrointestinal tract and some people need to take it with a small amount of food. To ensure quality and safety, opt for supplements that have been tested and approved by an independent certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF International. For people who have SIBO, this means that the balance of good and bad bacteria in your small intestine is off, and having an excess of bad bacteria can disrupt the digestive process and cause gastrointestinal distress, such as gas, bloating nausea, and diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Iron supplements are not the only factor that contributes to flatulence and alteration in bowel habits. 2015;10(2):e0117383. Celiac disease can cause bad smelling flatulence because the undigested gluten is fed on by the bacteria in the colon thus releasing the bad smell. Start with low doses, since these products also increase gas. A metallic smell on your body is typically triggered by handling metals or from your body burning protein rather than glucose during a workout. When you eat gluten, your immune system will damage the lining of your small intestines making absorption of certain nutrients impossible. If they get bombarded, that increases the risk of unabsorbed iron and painful GI problems. Exhaustion is one of the most common symptoms of an iron deficiency. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Taking iron supplements that you dont need can lead to a serious condition called iron overload. One of the worst effects of collagen supplementation is that it can mess with your mood. may increase the amount of iron you absorb. The HUM subscription: wellness on your terms. You can buy Fart pads on Amazon. If youve ever taken an iron supplement, youve probably experienced some not-so-fun side effects.