Magnet Forte Composition
Magnet Forte is a combination supplement containing iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, designed to address nutritional deficiencies that commonly occur together, particularly in conditions affecting absorption or increasing metabolic demands.
Active Ingredients
The typical formulation of Magnet Forte contains three essential nutrients that work synergistically:
Iron Component
- Elemental iron is provided in various salt forms (commonly ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, or ferrous gluconate) 1
- Standard therapeutic doses range from 45-60 mg of elemental iron daily for treatment of deficiency 1
- Iron is essential for red blood cell production and oxygen transport 2
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 is included to prevent or treat cobalamin deficiency 1, 3
- Typical supplemental doses range from 1-2 mg (1000-2000 mcg) daily in oral formulations 3, 4
- B12 is critical for methionine synthesis, DNA integrity, myelin sheath preservation, and normal blood cell formation 1
Folic Acid
- Folic acid (synthetic form of folate) is the third component 5
- Standard supplemental doses range from 400-800 mcg daily, with higher doses (1-5 mg) used therapeutically 1
- Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and prevention of megaloblastic anemia 5, 6
Clinical Rationale for Combination
Synergistic Deficiencies
- Iron, B12, and folate deficiencies frequently coexist due to shared malabsorption conditions including autoimmune gastritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and bariatric surgery 7, 8
- These three nutrients are all necessary for proper red blood cell production, and deficiency of any can result in anemia 2
Complementary Metabolic Pathways
- Folate and B12 work together in methionine synthesis and homocysteine metabolism 1
- Iron deficiency can affect vitamin B12 and folate levels, with studies showing that treatment of iron deficiency anemia increases serum B12 and folate levels 8
Important Clinical Considerations
Critical Safety Warning
- Never administer folic acid before ensuring adequate B12 treatment, as folic acid can mask the anemia of B12 deficiency while allowing irreversible neurological damage (subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord) to progress 1, 3
- This is why combination products include both nutrients together 1
Absorption Optimization
- Iron and calcium should be taken 1-2 hours apart as they inhibit each other's absorption 1
- Iron absorption is enhanced when taken with vitamin C or citrus fruits 1
- Calcium carbonate should be taken with food, while calcium citrate can be taken with or without food 1
Common Clinical Applications
- Post-bariatric surgery patients require all three nutrients due to reduced absorption capacity 1, 7
- Chronic radiation-induced diarrhea management includes highly caloric nutritional supplements containing iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 1
- Pregnancy and preconception care after bariatric surgery requires folic acid (4-5 mg if obese), iron (45-60 mg elemental), and B12 (1 mg every 3 months IM or 1 mg daily oral) 1
Monitoring Requirements
- Check serum levels every 3 months until stabilization, then annually 1, 3
- For iron: measure serum ferritin, iron studies, transferrin saturation, and complete blood count 1, 7
- For B12: measure serum B12, methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine 1, 7
- For folate: measure serum or RBC folate using methods validated against microbiological assay 1
Dosing Considerations by Clinical Context
Standard Supplementation (Post-Bariatric Surgery)
- Iron: 200 mg ferrous sulfate or 210 mg ferrous fumarate daily (twice daily in menstruating women) 1
- B12: 1 mg IM every 3 months or 1 mg oral daily 1
- Folic acid: 400-800 mcg daily 1