Fifty years of clinical research on heme iron — from foundational mechanism studies to randomized controlled trials in dialysis patients. Browse, search, and dive into the literature.
A landmark RCT examining iron supplementation strategies in patients receiving erythropoietin therapy. Demonstrated significant differences in hemoglobin response based on iron formulation.
Read full study ↗Compared three different iron dextran infusion protocols in EPO-treated dialysis patients to establish safety and efficacy benchmarks.
Read full study ↗Landmark clinical trial of heme iron polypeptide (HIP) in 14 subjects: HIP significantly increased iron absorption when taken with a meal versus ferrous fumarate and placebo (p<0.03), and was well tolerated — the foundational human study behind heme iron polypeptide supplements.
Read full study ↗Foundational review of heme iron absorption mechanisms, covering receptor-mediated endocytosis, mucosal heme oxygenase activity, and clinical implications.
Read full study ↗Classic study establishing the dedicated pathway for hemoglobin-derived iron absorption, distinct from non-heme iron transport.
Read full study ↗Reviewed cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD patients, with implications for iron management and anemia correction strategies.
Read full study ↗Pioneering work identifying the intestinal receptor responsible for heme iron uptake â the molecular basis for heme iron's superior absorption.
Read full study ↗NEJM landmark on transfusion practice in elderly MI patients â informs iron management strategies in cardiovascular populations.
Read full study ↗Examined the relationship between hematocrit levels and cardiac function â supporting the rationale for adequate iron repletion in CKD.
Read full study ↗Demonstrated how erythropoietic activity modulates iron absorption â critical for understanding iron needs during EPO therapy.
Read full study ↗Cellular-level analysis of how iron status influences metabolic and oxidative processes â a primer on why iron homeostasis matters.
Read full study ↗Established methodology for estimating bioavailable iron from mixed diets â foundational for understanding heme vs. non-heme contributions.
Read full study ↗Showed how calcium and phosphate inhibit non-heme iron absorption â a key part of heme iron's competitive advantage.
Read full study ↗Pioneered the dual-isotope method for measuring heme and non-heme iron absorption separately â methodological cornerstone of the field.
Read full study ↗Modern confirmation that heme iron absorption resists inhibition by dietary calcium â direct support for taking TheHEME® with food.
Read full study ↗Identified mucosal heme oxygenase as the enzyme that releases iron from absorbed heme â a key mechanistic link in the absorption pathway.
Read full study ↗IV iron protocols for predialysis CKD patients â establishes the bar oral heme iron must meet.
Read full study ↗Detailed review of the mobilferrin and paraferritin transport systems that handle absorbed iron at the cellular level.
Read full study ↗Early but enduring work on whole-diet iron absorption regulation â established that the body adapts uptake to iron status.
Read full study ↗Practical guidance on iron status management during EPO therapy in CRF â supports rationale for highly absorbable iron forms.
Read full study ↗Comprehensive review of iron management in ESRD, including indications for oral vs. IV supplementation.
Read full study ↗Definitive review of dietary modifiers of iron absorption â phytates, polyphenols, calcium, and ascorbic acid effects.
Read full study ↗Important safety reference: documented infection risks of iron overload in dialysis populations, informing dosing strategies.
Read full study ↗Detailed examination of mucosal-level heme iron handling, with quantitative absorption data across populations.
The research is unanimous: heme iron absorbs better, with fewer side effects, at lower doses. Try TheHEME® for yourself.