Chelated Iron (Ferrous Glycinate)Chelated Iron (Ferrous Glycinate)
Is chelated iron healthy for dogs?
Iron is an essential mineral with a central and irreplaceable role in oxygen transport and cellular energy production — serving as the core of haemoglobin in red blood cells for systemic oxygen delivery, as the functional centre of myoglobin in muscle tissue, and as a cofactor for the cytochrome enzymes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
In Boost, iron is provided as iron(II) chelate of glycine hydrate (ferrous glycinate) — a highly bioavailable form in which ferrous iron (Fe2+) is bound to glycine, protecting it from oxidation and competing mineral interactions in the gut, and supporting absorption via amino acid transporter pathways as well as the conventional iron divalent metal transporter.
An essential trace mineral provided in chelated glycine form for enhanced bioavailability, supporting haemoglobin synthesis for systemic oxygen transport, myoglobin function in muscle tissue, cytochrome-mediated cellular energy production, and the activity of iron-dependent enzymes involved in immune function and antioxidant defence.
Iron is the functional atom at the centre of haemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells responsible for binding oxygen in the lungs and releasing it to tissues throughout the body. Adequate iron is essential for maintaining normal haemoglobin levels and preventing nutritional anaemia.
Myoglobin — the muscle-tissue analogue of haemoglobin — stores and transfers oxygen within muscle fibres, supporting aerobic energy production during exercise. Iron is essential for healthy myoglobin function, contributing to muscle endurance and physical capacity.
Iron is a cofactor for the cytochrome proteins of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, including cytochrome c and the cytochrome oxidases, where it enables the electron transfer reactions that generate ATP — the energy currency of the cell.
Iron-containing enzymes including ribonucleotide reductase (DNA synthesis), myeloperoxidase (immune defence), and catalase (antioxidant) further illustrate the breadth of this mineral’s functional roles throughout the body.
Science Informed Reasons to Include This Ingredient in Your Dog’s Diet:
Haemoglobin Synthesis and Oxygen Transport — iron is the functional centre of haemoglobin, essential for binding oxygen in the lungs and transporting it to every tissue in the body. Adequate iron prevents nutritional anaemia and supports healthy red blood cell production.
Myoglobin Function and Muscle Endurance — iron in myoglobin supports oxygen storage and transfer within muscle tissue, contributing to aerobic energy production during exercise and physical activity, relevant to vitality and stamina.
Cellular Energy Production — as a cofactor for the cytochrome proteins of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, iron enables the energy generation that underlies all cellular activity, contributing to vitality and metabolic health.
Immune Function Support — iron is required for the activity of myeloperoxidase and other immune defence enzymes, and for normal lymphocyte proliferation, contributing to healthy immune responses.
DNA Synthesis — ribonucleotide reductase, an iron-dependent enzyme, catalyses a rate-limiting step in DNA synthesis, supporting normal cell division and tissue renewal throughout the body.
Antioxidant Enzyme Activity — catalase, an iron-containing enzyme, contributes to the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide, working alongside other antioxidant systems to protect cells from oxidative damage.
Enhanced Bioavailability via Glycine Chelation — ferrous glycinate is absorbed via amino acid transporter pathways as well as the conventional divalent metal transporter, providing a bioavailability advantage over inorganic iron forms and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal irritation.
Essential Provision on Plant-Based Diets — plant-based iron is non-haem iron, which is less bioavailable than haem iron from meat. Chelated iron supplementation in Boost provides assurance that adequate, bioavailable iron is available to dogs whose diets are plant-based or varied, supporting haemoglobin maintenance and overall vitality.
