do iron supplements cause smelly gas?

Any of these can lead to increased flatulence. 1. Amer J Med. Next time, you have this problem, keep a record of what you are eating. However, odor can also come from short-chain fatty acids (metabolites from the fermentation of dietary fiber), skatoles (from the decomposition of tryptophan), indoles (a chemical found in vegetables), volatile amines, and ammonia. It is also necessary for neurological development, synthesis of hormones and proper growth. Metallic-smelling gas might also come from B vitamins, iron, dyes, and preservatives in supplements, as well as NSAIDs, laxatives, and statins, Dr. Wolf says. Iron Deficiency vs. Iron Deficiency Anemia: Whats the difference? Table of Contents show. Flatulence may be a sign of a more serious condition. Side effects like cramps (great), diarrhea (fantastic), and nausea (sign me up) are just a few of the GI issues caused by low iron absorption. Most people can fulfill their iron needs through food, such as meat. Seriously, did you ever think a lack of blood would be the problem with your period? Some supplements can help reduce gas by breaking down gas-producing carbohydrates. Here, digestion experts share eight common causes of unusually smelly farts and when to see your doctor about it. Manoguerra AS, Erdman AR, Booze LL, et al. Although iron supplements usually turn stools black, they can sometimes cause dark green stool. Avoid iron overloading by spacing out your doses and trying not to exceed 150 mg of iron per dose. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. form, Ferosom Forte is Canadian-made, doctor-recommended, 100% vegan, and proven to work as well as certain doses of IV iron. Learn how to enable it, Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements Review, Coconut Oil and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) Oil Review Semi-Solid and Liquid Oils & Supplements. Metallic taste. If you are taking iron in a liquid form, tooth staining may be a side effect. Iron supplements are a great way to battle anemia and reverse an iron deficiency, especially if diet changes alone are unsuccessful. If you experience flatulence with ferrous sulfate, ask your doctor about switching to ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate. Taking the appropriate dosage of iron is unlikely to cause any side effects. The smelly gas from high FODMAP foods is due to bacteria is the gut breaking down the undigested food, as well as the sulfur compounds in the foods, Dr. Wolf explains. Do Iron Supplements Make Poop Smell. By signing up to receive our weekly newsletter, The Wellnest, you agree to our privacy policy. / However, to reduce stomach upset, you may prefer to take your doses after meals. Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. And it can occur when using Metamucil, too. Iron. 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. This will, therefore, reduce the smell. Your doctor may recommend that you take iron pills, but you should be aware there are side effects of iron pills and you may even experience feeling worse after taking iron supplements. If you have IBS or SIBO, you may supplement your foods with probiotics, like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha, and prebiotics (fiber that feeds probiotics), Dr. Sonpal says. This increase in iron can also improve brain function, from basic learning to memory. Ferrous sulfate is the most common. Speak with your healthcare provider if you intend to use iron supplements and take these or any other chronic medication. Extra iron in your blood can be toxic to the liver, heart, and pancreas and may cause damage to the joints, as well. Taking an extremely higher than recommended amount of iron supplements could result in a severe iron overdose. 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. Sulfur-rich foods. 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. The body loses the ability to break down lactose, so the milk sugars rot and give people very foul-smelling gas and diarrhea, he explains. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data. The sugar-free candies you so much like could be the culprit. Doctors typically prescribe one of three types of iron supplements: ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate or ferrous gluconate. What are the health benefits of vitamin B12? are examples of controlled substances. Heather Gloria began writing professionally in 1990. Iron supplements are sold over-the-counter or by prescription. Warning signs of anaphylaxis include: Gastric bleeding can also occur while taking iron supplements. This includes the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. ), (For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. When Iron Deficiency Anemia Is Not What It Appears to Be, Iron Deficiency Anemia From Heavy Menstrual Periods, Iron Deficiency Anemia Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know, Iron - Fact Sheet for Health Professionals, Iron deficiency anemia: a common and curable disease, Iron Supplementation, Response in Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Analysis of Five Trials, Iron supplement (oral route, parenteral route): Side effects, Review on iron and its importance for human health, Iron ingestion: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. These include: Iron supplements are also commonly prescribed to women of childbearing age to help prevent anemia. Iron. Which supplements may help reduce flatulence? For example, iron supplements are known to cause gas and bloating. Your healthcare provider will recommend a dose based largely on the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron for your age, sex, and pregnancy status, as follows: Drink a full glass of water or orange juice with each dose. These . . Learn more about sugar alcohols, including maltitol and lactitol, why some products contain them, and possible side effects. Be alerted to newclinical findings & warnings. Your last name and email address will not be displayed. Other symptoms are bloating, abdominal cramping and nausea. If you have constipation from iron, one excellent solution is to ask your doctor for a liquid form of iron . If youre already very constipated, adding more fiber may temporarily make things worse. Diarrhea medicines, such as Imodium, Kaopectate, and Lomotil. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Bethesda, Maryland. Passing gas more than 20 times per day is not normal. Heartburn. The physician may advise a change of medication or sometimes the effectiveness of the dosage outweighs the side effects. Whatever the cause, iron deficiency can lead to iron-deficiency anemia if left untreated. An empty stomach can increase your chances of GI pain, discomfort, and a whole lot of unabsorbed iron. Taking iron at least one hour before or two hours after a meal with a full glass of water or acidic juice, such as: Iron supplements are not the only factor that contributes to flatulence and alteration in bowel habits. Slow-release forms of iron may be less constipating, but they have their downside. BACKGROUND:In recent years,we saw four patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in our clinical practices who developed a compulsive craving for certain odors including rubber tires, gasoline, Pine-Sol (a popular household alcohol ethoxylate-based cleaning agent), and "musty odor of the basement." Such behavior resolved after treatment of IDA, and recurred in a patient whose IDA relapsed. Knowing what causes stinky farts is a step in the right direction towards finding a solution. A combination of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol may cause flatulence in some people. Constipation is a condition of the digestive system that causes hard feces that are difficult to expel. This increase in iron can also improve brain function, from basic learning to memory. Gastrointestinal discomfort Take iron pills with meals to Rather than reaching for a pill, start by adding iron-rich foods to your meal plan, the highest of which include: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is not due to the protein itself but . Common iron supplement side effects include constipation, diarrhea, dark stools, and a metallic taste in your mouth. 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.. If you take 300 milligrams (mg) of ferrous sulfate, youll get 60 mg of iron within each dose. Heart: low blood pressure, fast and weak heartbeat, shock, dehydration. 2017;130(8):991.e1-991.e8. Still trying to get my head around all this. When you eat gluten, your immune system will damage the lining of your small intestines making absorption of certain nutrients impossible. What are the side effects of iron supplements for anemia? Food Intolerance. This leads to. Contact your healthcare provider if you have iron overload or iron poisoning symptoms. As tiredness or a lack of energy (fatigue) is commonly associated with a diet low in Iron, it is likely to be the first change you notice when you take an iron supplement" (2). Taking a smaller dose may decrease the amount of iron you absorb, but for some people, it may also mean less flatulence and other side effects. Avoid taking iron pills on an empty stomach, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. drink a lot of water to help with constipation. Eating something out of your norm or thats heavy or spicy is a likely cause of smelly gas, but, if your gas smells really bad and is chronic, youre probably wondering if its something more serious. Common Side Effects of . Iron Fact Sheet for Consumers. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. If you take 300 mg of ferrous gluconate, youll only have 34 mg of iron in each dose. Avoid taking iron supplements at the same time as high-fiber foods or caffeine, which can hinder absorption. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Iron Supplementation, Response in Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Analysis of Five Trials. However, iron can be rough on your gastrointestinal tract and some people need to take it with a small amount of food. And as we know, the more iron your body can absorb, the less side effects youll experience and the more balanced your iron levels will be. If you have any suggestions and queries you can contact us on the below details. Make sure you chew your food thoroughly and also try eating more slowly, relaxing during meals instead of multitasking and walking for 10 to 15 minutes after a meal. Iron is an essential element for blood production. Diarrhea. Iron deficiency is common in the developing world, where more than a quarter of the population may be affected (mostly due to poverty and the lack of nutrition). Upset Stomach. Bloating and gas are common adverse effects of many prescription and over-the-counter medications. So youve passed some gas and it smells, er, funky. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. An Essential Mineral Used to Treat Anemia. Constipation. 6 Best Home Remedies For Varicose Veins. Certain probiotics may, at best, modestly help flatulence, as was shown in children taking a particular probiotic daily for three months. Anemia is a condition characterized by the lack of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Iron supplements are known to cause gas and bloating. blood, metallic taste in mouth, black bloody stools, Respiratory system: buildup of fluids in the lungs, Heart: low blood pressure, fast and weak heartbeat, shock, dehydration, Nervous system: chills, fever, seizures, headache, Iron supplements might color your stool green or black, and anti-diarrheal drugs can lead to clay-colored stool. Its also in some birth control pills, so make sure to read the ingredients labels of foods and supplements carefully, per the Cleveland Clinic. This is because our system does not absorb or digest the sugar content. Medicines With Bismuth. Fiber supplements and bulking agents, such as Citrucel, Fiberall, and Metamucil. 2014;19(2):164-74. Gas is produced when the foods we eat are broken down and processed, but also by the good and bad bacteria we have in our colon and small intestine, explains Niket Sonpal, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist. Miller JL. This may be reduced by reducing the dose or dividing it over the course of the day. Constipation affects more than eight million Americans every year and it involves painful egestion. But before it gets there, your stomach acids will try to break it down. *eye roll*. It is dependent on your . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. There are indeed side effects associated with a vitamin B complex. As the founder of Get Your Iron Up . And most of all, take your iron supplements with food whenever you can. Signs that you might be experiencing an allergic reaction to ingredients in a digestive enzyme supplement include: Difficulty breathing or talking or wheezing. Activated charcoal has been taken orally for flatulence based on its purported ability to bind to gas in the intestines, but evidence of benefit is conflicting (Hall, Am J Gastroenterol 1981; Jain, Am J Gastroenterol 1986; Suarez, Am J Gastroenterol 1999). Numbness, pain, or tingling of hands or feet, Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat, Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking, Vomiting blood or what looks like coffee grounds, Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation, Eat more vegetables and fiber-rich foods to prevent or treat constipation, Take with food to minimize or prevent stomach discomfort, Iron-fortified breakfast cereals: 18 mg per cup, Kidney beans (canned): 2 mg per cup serving, Canned sardines in oil: 2 mg per cup serving, Chickpeas (canned): 2 mg per cup serving, Braised bottom round beef: 2 mg per 3-ounce serving, Baked potatoes: 1 mg per medium-sized potato, Green beans (cooked): 1 mg per cup serving.