Iron Fortification

The absence of synthetic iron fortification in European countries results in less bacterial dysbiosis and a more stable gut environment. France, Denmark, and Sweden use no grain fortification at all. The synthetic iron used in US grain fortification is not bioavailable in the same way as heme iron from meat or naturally occurring food iron. Unabsorbed synthetic iron sits in the gut and becomes a feeding substrate for pathogenic bacteria. US regulations mandate that refined grain products be enriched with synthetic vitamins and iron.