Home Ingredients Lipofer® (Microencapsulated Iron — Lubrizol)
Women's Health

Lipofer® (Microencapsulated Iron — Lubrizol)

Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Lipofer® is a microencapsulated form of ferric pyrophosphate sold by Lubrizol Nutraceuticals. The iron is packed inside a protective matrix and makes up about 9 percent of the ingredient by weight. Encapsulation is meant to keep iron from reacting with food, other ingredients and the gut lining, which is intended to reduce the metallic taste and stomach upset linked to ordinary iron salts. In one small study of 17 women with low iron stores, a meal fortified with Lipofer raised blood iron over 6 hours about as much as the same meal fortified with ferrous sulfate. A rat study funded by Lubrizol found that Lipofer, ferrous sulfate and two other iron forms all restored iron levels within 14 days, with no difference in stool measures between them. Whether Lipofer is gentler on the stomach than iron salts in people has not been tested.

Studied Dose A single meal of fortified meat pate providing 15 mg of iron from Lipofer was tested in women with low iron stores. A rat study used an amount equal to 80 mg of elemental iron a day for an adult. No longer-term human dose has been tested. The adult upper limit for iron is 45 mg a day.
Active Compound Microencapsulated ferric pyrophosphate (about 9 percent elemental iron by weight) held inside a protective matrix.

Benefits

Iron absorption in women with low iron stores

In 17 young women with low iron stores, meat pate fortified with Lipofer raised blood iron over the next 6 hours about as much as the same pate fortified with ferrous sulfate. This single-meal study measured blood iron only, not iron stores or symptoms, and was supported by the pate maker.

Supported by Trial 2

Restored iron levels in iron-deficient rats

In iron-deficient rats given an amount equal to 80 mg of iron a day for a person, Lipofer reversed the deficiency within 14 days, as did ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate and another encapsulated iron. Blood markers suggested Lipofer was absorbed better than the other encapsulated iron. This was a maker-funded animal study, not a human trial.

Supported by Trial 1

Gut tolerance in an animal model

Over 9 weeks of dosing in rats, stool water, weight and frequency did not differ between Lipofer and any other iron source, including ferrous sulfate. Ferrous sulfate raised a gene marker of colon inflammation (IL-6) and Lipofer did not. Whether this means fewer stomach complaints in people has not been tested.

Supported by Trial 1

Daily iron in menstruating women (other iron forms)

Lipofer has not been tested as a daily supplement in women. Across 67 trials in menstruating women, daily iron supplements of various forms lowered the risk of anaemia and iron deficiency and raised haemoglobin, though they also caused more digestive side effects. Extra iron only helps when stores are low, which a blood test can confirm.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Encapsulated for use in fortified foods

Encapsulation keeps the iron from interacting with other ingredients and is meant to improve stability and taste. Lipofer has been tested as the iron source in a fortified meat pate in women, and in fortified wheat flour in a laboratory digestion model.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Protected delivery

The encapsulation shields the iron from interacting with food and the gut lining until it is absorbed, which is proposed to lower side effects. This has been examined only in rats.

2

Hemoglobin synthesis

Absorbed iron is used to build hemoglobin and myoglobin, supporting oxygen transport and energy metabolism.

Clinical trials

1
Microencapsulated Iron in Iron-Deficient Rats
PubMed

Animal study comparing Lipofer with ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate and another microencapsulated ferric pyrophosphate in rats made iron-deficient by diet, at a dose equal to 80 mg of elemental iron a day for a person, over a 21-day repletion phase and 9 weeks of tolerance testing. Funded by Lubrizol Nutraceuticals. (Mariné-Casadó et al. 2025, Scientific Reports)

Iron-deficient rats; not a human study.

All four iron sources reversed iron deficiency within 14 days. Lipofer gave lower TIBC and transferrin and higher haemoglobin than the other microencapsulated iron, which the authors read as better absorption. Stool water, weight and frequency did not differ between any groups. Ferrous sulfate raised IL-6 gene expression in the colon and Lipofer did not. Two authors work for Lubrizol Nutraceuticals, which funded the study and supplied the products.

2
Lipofer-Fortified Meat Pate in Women with Low Iron Stores
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, three-way crossover single-meal study comparing pate with 15 mg of added iron as ferrous sulfate, as liposome-encapsulated ferric pyrophosphate (Lipofer), or as Lipofer plus a haem-rich meat pigment; blood iron measured hourly for 6 hours. (Navas-Carretero et al. 2009, Nutrition)

17 young women in Spain with ferritin below 30 ug/L.

The rise in blood iron over 6 hours did not differ between the three meals, peaking at 2 to 4 hours. Only a single meal was tested, with no measure of iron stores, symptoms or side effects. The study was supported by the pate maker and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Side effects of Lipofer have not been studied in people; the one human study tested a single meal. In rats, stool measures did not differ from ferrous sulfate.
Like other iron supplements, it may cause stomach upset, constipation or dark stools, more so at higher doses.
The adult upper limit for iron is 45 mg a day, and supplements providing 25 mg or more can reduce zinc absorption.
Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep iron out of reach of children.

Important Drug interactions

Levothyroxine: iron reduces its absorption, and levothyroxine labels advise not taking it within 4 hours of iron.
Quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics: iron binds them and lowers their absorption; follow the antibiotic label on spacing.
Calcium supplements: calcium can reduce iron absorption, so take them at different times.
Do not take extra iron unless a blood test shows you need it.

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Frequently asked questions about Lipofer® (Microencapsulated Iron — Lubrizol)

What is Lipofer?

Lipofer® is a microencapsulated form of ferric pyrophosphate sold by Lubrizol Nutraceuticals. The iron is packed inside a protective matrix and makes up about 9 percent of the ingredient by weight.

What is Lipofer used for?

Lipofer is researched primarily for Women's Health. In 17 young women with low iron stores, meat pate fortified with Lipofer raised blood iron over the next 6 hours about as much as the same pate fortified with ferrous sulfate.

What is the recommended dosage of Lipofer?

The clinically studied dose is A single meal of fortified meat pate providing 15 mg of iron from Lipofer was tested in women with low iron stores. A rat study used an amount equal to 80 mg of elemental iron a day for an adult. No longer-term human dose has been tested. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Lipofer safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Lipofer include: Side effects of Lipofer have not been studied in people; the one human study tested a single meal. In rats, stool measures did not differ from ferrous sulfate. Like other iron supplements, it may cause stomach upset, constipation or dark stools, more so at higher doses. It may also interact with some medications. Lipofer is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Lipofer interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Levothyroxine: iron reduces its absorption, and levothyroxine labels advise not taking it within 4 hours of iron. Quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics: iron binds them and lowers their absorption; follow the antibiotic label on spacing. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Lipofer?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Lipofer as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 study summaries and 5 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(5 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Mariné-Casadó R, Tobajas Y, Antolín A, Negra T, Connolly A, Alcaide-Hidalgo JM, Caimari A. Comparative study of the effects of different iron sources on bioavailability and gastrointestinal tolerability in iron-deficient rats. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):21033. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07202-3.PubMedUsed to support: Animal study in rats made iron-deficient by diet, funded by Lubrizol Nutraceuticals, which supplied the products; two authors (Negra T, Connolly A) work there, although the paper declares no competing interests. Lipofer (microencapsulated iron pyrophosphate, 9 percent elemental iron) was compared with ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate and another microencapsulated iron pyrophosphate at a dose equal to 80 mg of iron a day for a person. All reversed iron deficiency within 14 days. Lipofer showed lower TIBC and transferrin and higher haemoglobin than the other encapsulated iron, read as better absorption. Over 9 weeks, stool water, weight and frequency did not differ between groups; ferrous sulfate raised colon IL-6 gene expression and Lipofer did not. Not a human trial.
  2. Low MS, Speedy J, Styles CE, De-Regil LM, Pasricha SR. Daily iron supplementation for improving anaemia, iron status and health in menstruating women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD009747. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009747.pub2.PubMedUsed to support: Cochrane review of 67 trials in 8506 menstruating women. Daily oral iron lowered the risk of anaemia (RR 0.39, moderate-quality evidence) and iron deficiency (RR 0.62), raised haemoglobin, improved maximal and submaximal exercise performance and appeared to reduce symptomatic fatigue. Gastrointestinal side effects were more common, including hard stools or constipation (RR 2.07, 8 trials, 1036 women) and loose stools (RR 2.13). Evidence on cognitive performance was uncertain. The review pooled all forms of oral iron.
  3. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health. 2025;Online fact sheet, updated September 4, 2025..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed (official NIH fact sheet). Gives the iron RDAs (8 mg a day for men and for women over 50, 18 mg for women 19 to 50, 27 mg in pregnancy) and the adult Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 45 mg a day; notes that supplements with 25 mg or more can reduce zinc absorption, that ferrous fumarate is 33 percent, ferrous sulfate 20 percent and ferrous gluconate 12 percent elemental iron, and that the WHO estimates about half of the 1.62 billion cases of anemia worldwide are due to iron deficiency. Lists interactions with levodopa, levothyroxine (labels advise a 4-hour gap) and proton pump inhibitors, advises taking calcium and iron supplements at different times, and quotes the required US warning that accidental iron overdose is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6.
  4. Navas-Carretero S, Pérez-Granados AM, Sarriá B, Vaquero MP. Iron absorption from meat pate fortified with ferric pyrophosphate in iron-deficient women. Nutrition. 2009;25(1):20-4. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2008.07.002.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, three-way crossover study in 17 young women with low iron stores (ferritin below 30 ug/L). Each ate 80 g of meat pate on bread providing 15 mg of added iron as ferrous sulfate, as ferric pyrophosphate encapsulated in liposomes (named in the full text as Lipofer, Lipofoods), or as the same encapsulated iron plus a haem-rich meat pigment. The rise in blood iron over the next 6 hours did not differ between the three meals. It measured a single meal and blood iron only, not iron stores or symptoms, and it was supported by the pate maker, La Piara SA, and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.
  5. Kloots W, Op den Kamp D, Abrahamse L. In vitro iron availability from iron-fortified whole-grain wheat flour. J Agric Food Chem. 2004;52(26):8132-6. doi: 10.1021/jf040010+.PubMedUsed to support: Laboratory study, not in people: whole-grain wheat flour fortified with 50 mg/kg iron as ferrous sulfate, several chelates, Lipofer, ferric pyrophosphate and other forms was baked into chapatis and digested in a simulated gut. Lipofer, like ferrous sulfate, did not raise the amount of dialyzable iron; only SunActive Fe and NaFeEDTA did.