# Iron Oxyhydroxide **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/iron-oxyhydroxide **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-25 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Mineral **Also Known As:** FeO(OH), Goethite, Lepidocrocite, Iron(III) oxide-hydroxide, Ferric oxyhydroxide, Yellow ochre, Iron rust hydrate ## Overview Iron oxyhydroxide is an inorganic iron compound primarily used in industrial applications rather than as a nutritional supplement. No human clinical trials have demonstrated bioavailability or therapeutic benefits for this iron form. ## Health Benefits • No documented health benefits - no human clinical trials identified in the research • No therapeutic applications - primarily studied for industrial uses like pigments and water treatment • No biomedical evidence - research focuses on chemical and mineralogical properties only • No nutritional value established - compound is insoluble in water with no bioavailability data • No traditional medicinal use - no historical references in any traditional medicine systems ## Mechanism of Action Iron oxyhydroxide (FeO(OH)) exists as a crystalline mineral structure that resists dissolution in gastric acid, limiting iron ion release for absorption. The compound's stability prevents effective conversion to bioavailable ferrous (Fe2+) or ferric (Fe3+) ions required for cellular uptake through DMT1 and ferroportin transporters. ## Clinical Summary No human clinical trials have evaluated iron oxyhydroxide as a dietary supplement or therapeutic agent. Research literature focuses exclusively on industrial applications including pigment production and water treatment processes. The compound lacks bioavailability studies or safety data for oral consumption. Current evidence suggests this iron form would be poorly absorbed compared to established supplement forms like ferrous sulfate or iron bisglycinate. ## Nutritional Profile Iron Oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) contains iron as its sole nutritionally relevant element at approximately 62.9% iron by molecular weight (based on molecular formula FeOOH, MW ~88.85 g/mol). However, this iron exists in a crystalline mineral lattice form (polymorphs include goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, feroxyhyte) that renders it essentially non-bioavailable through normal dietary pathways. No macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates) are present. No vitamins, fiber, or organic bioactive compounds are present. The compound is insoluble in water (solubility product Ksp ~10^-44 for goethite), meaning ionic iron is not released under neutral pH conditions. Under highly acidic gastric conditions (pH ~1-2), partial dissolution may theoretically occur, but no human bioavailability studies exist to quantify absorbed iron. No established Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) or Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) applies to this compound. It is not recognized as a dietary iron source by any regulatory nutrition body (FDA, EFSA, WHO). Elemental composition per 100g: iron ~62.9g, oxygen ~36.1g, hydrogen ~1.1g — all structurally bound with no nutritional function. No micronutrients, cofactors, or secondary metabolites are present. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges exist for iron oxyhydroxide in biomedical contexts. The compound exists in forms like powder or hydrates (FeO(OH)·nH₂O) but lacks any dosing data for human consumption. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Safety data for iron oxyhydroxide consumption is unavailable due to lack of human studies. Industrial exposure guidelines suggest potential respiratory irritation with dust inhalation. The compound's poor solubility may reduce typical iron supplement side effects but also eliminates therapeutic benefit. Pregnant women and individuals with iron deficiency should use clinically proven iron forms rather than experimental compounds. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses on iron oxyhydroxide as a biomedical ingredient were identified in the available research. The compound is primarily referenced in contexts of pigments, water treatment, and corrosion studies, with no PubMed citations or clinical data available for therapeutic use. ## Historical & Cultural Context No historical or traditional medicinal uses of iron oxyhydroxide are documented across any traditional medicine systems including Ayurveda or TCM. The compound is noted only in mineralogical and industrial contexts, such as rust formation or as pigments, without any ethnomedical references. ## Synergistic Combinations Not applicable - no biomedical applications established ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is iron oxyhydroxide absorbed by the body? Iron oxyhydroxide has poor bioavailability due to its crystalline structure that resists dissolution in stomach acid. No studies have measured absorption rates, but the compound's stability suggests minimal iron release for cellular uptake. ### What is iron oxyhydroxide used for? Iron oxyhydroxide is primarily used in industrial applications including yellow pigments, water treatment, and catalysis. It has no established use as a nutritional supplement or therapeutic agent. ### Can iron oxyhydroxide treat iron deficiency? No clinical evidence supports iron oxyhydroxide for treating iron deficiency. Medical professionals recommend proven forms like ferrous sulfate or iron bisglycinate that demonstrate reliable absorption and efficacy. ### What are the side effects of iron oxyhydroxide? Side effects from oral iron oxyhydroxide consumption are unknown due to lack of human studies. Industrial safety data indicates potential respiratory irritation from dust exposure, but gastrointestinal effects remain undocumented. ### How does iron oxyhydroxide compare to other iron supplements? Iron oxyhydroxide lacks clinical validation unlike ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, or iron bisglycinate which have extensive safety and efficacy data. Established iron forms demonstrate superior bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes. ### Is iron oxyhydroxide safe for long-term use? Iron oxyhydroxide has no established safety profile for human consumption because it is not absorbed by the body and lacks bioavailability data from clinical studies. Since the compound is essentially inert in the digestive system, long-term safety cannot be meaningfully assessed for supplementation purposes. Any safety considerations would need to be based on industrial toxicology data rather than nutritional or medical evidence. ### Why is iron oxyhydroxide not used in mainstream iron supplements? Iron oxyhydroxide is not used in supplements because it is water-insoluble and has virtually no bioavailability, meaning the body cannot absorb or utilize it for iron status. The supplement industry instead uses highly absorbable iron forms such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous citrate, and iron bisglycinate that have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials. Iron oxyhydroxide's primary applications are in industrial sectors like pigment manufacturing and water treatment, not human nutrition. ### What is the difference between iron oxyhydroxide and chelated iron supplements? Iron oxyhydroxide is an insoluble mineral compound with minimal bioavailability, whereas chelated iron forms (like iron bisglycinate) are bound to amino acids that enhance absorption and utilization by the body. Chelated iron supplements are specifically designed for supplementation with clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness, while iron oxyhydroxide has no nutritional research or proven absorption mechanisms in humans. Chelated forms are dramatically more efficient at delivering bioavailable iron compared to the essentially non-absorbable iron oxyhydroxide. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*