8 Best Iron Supplements of 2022 Recommended by Experts

Iron is a mineral found in hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is also found in myoglobin, another protein that stores oxygen for use by your muscles.

You may be familiar with iron, but do you know which is the best iron supplement to take and if you require one? Iron plays a critical role in your body. Our cells use it for transporting oxygen from our lungs to all other parts of the body such as vital organs and muscles.

It's essential for brain cell development, physical growth, and hormone production, as well as muscle function.

There are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. Non-heme iron is found in plants and iron-fortified products, while heme iron is found in animal food sources. Some of the richest sources of iron include red meat, organ meats, seafood, nuts, beans, and leafy greens.

Some populations may not have enough Iron. They might not be able to absorb the Iron they eat and they might need more Iron. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and weakness.

Infants and youngsters, sportsmen, persons with heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnant women, gastrointestinal illnesses or cancer sufferers, and blood donors are all examples of high-risk people.

Fortunately, there are numerous iron supplements available that can help you replenish your iron levels.

1. Thorne Iron Bisglycinate

Thorne Iron Bisglycinate is a high quality supplement brand that is sure to be on this list.

A capsule of Iron Bisglycinate Chelate, which contains 25 milligrams of iron bisglycinate chelate and is a type of iron that's readily absorbed by the body and less prone to cause gastrointestinal distress than ferrous sulfate.

The product is also NSF Certified for Sport, which means it's free of banned substances and safe for athletes.

Thorne's facilities are verified by multiple international organizations, including the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia. This is a government organization that oversees the health of Australians.

Standard Benefits:

• Helps fight fatigue and other signs of an iron deficiency, which can manifest as weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, tinnitus, drowsiness, irritability, infrequent menstruation, and loss of libido.
• An essential mineral for the formation of new red blood cells.
• Supports high-performance nutrition programs and is NSF Certified for Sport

2. Nature Made Iron 65mg Tablets

Iron Containing 65 milligrams per pill in Nature Made, which is 361% of the Daily Value for iron (325 mg of ferrous sulfate) or the same as 325 milligrams of ferrous sulfate.

Ferrous sulfate is a type of extra iron with a high solubility, which means it releases iron ions more readily and absorbs more easily.

However, this type of iron is far more likely to produce gastrointestinal adverse effects than other forms, such as constipation.

The product has been verified by USP, a third-party organization that examines quality, including purity, potency, and effectiveness.

Standard Benefits:

• Very helpful dietary supplement for women in their reproductive years, and helps provide Iron to the body for overall health
• Gluten free Nature Made Iron supplements with no synthetic dyes and no artificial flavors

3. Pure Encapsulations OptiFerin-C

The ingredients in Pure Encapsulations OptiFerin-C are 28 mg of iron bisglycinate and 100 mg of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is frequently included to iron tablets because it may assist with absorption.

It's kosher, vegan-friendly, and free of gluten, soy, and dairy.

The product is also made in a certified GMP facility. This means that the manufacturing process meets Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines set by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

The Pure Encapsulations brand of products has passed USP's rigorous testing for quality and purity, exceeding the organization's stringent criteria.

Pure Encapsulations medicines are tested by third-party laboratories like as Skilliker, Eurofins, Intertek, and Advanced Laboratories, according to the company's website.

4. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Iron

This Vitamin Code Raw Iron is a raw, whole food vitamin and mineral formula that includes 22 mg of entire-food iron and 25 mg of vitamin C.

The term "whole-food iron" refers to nutrients that are produced from raw foods.

This supplement is made without using high heat, synthetic binders or fillers, or artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, or additives.

The product also contains an organic fruit and vegetable blend, as well as a probiotic and enzyme blend, to support digestion.

All Garden of Life foods are produced in a USDA-approved plant. This powder is also certified vegan, non-GMO, kosher, raw, and gluten-free by the FDA.

5. Thorne Basic Prenatal

Thorne Basic Prenatal is a multivitamin designed for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but it can also be used by people who want a multivitamin that has more than 100% of their daily iron needs.

According to a prenatal supplement manufacturer, this product provides 167% of the daily value for iron in the more bioavailable Ferrochel form (iron bisglycinate chelate). It also includes vitamin C, zinc, folate, iodine, selenium, vitamins B6, B12 and D, as well as many other nutrients critical for

Thorne Basic Prenatal is a multivitamin that is good for women who are of childbearing age and need extra iron in their diets.

6. NOW Iron 18 mg

NOW is recognized for delivering high-quality items at low costs.

This supplement has 18 mg of iron per capsule. The iron is in the form of a chelated compound. The bottle has 120 capsules.

Furthermore, the product is certified by UL, a third-party testing organization that ensures products meet rigorous safety standards. This means that the product has been tested by UL to ensure it is safe for use.

This product is certified kosher, halal, and non-GMO.

While NOW vitamins are gluten- and allergen-free, they're produced in facilities where cross contact might occur.

7. MegaFood Blood Builder

MegaFood Blood Builder has 26 mg of iron that is in a form called iron bisglycinate. Iron bisglycinate helps improve absorption of the iron. MegaFood Blood Builder also has 15 mg of vitamin C.

This product offers folate and B12, which are both important for maintaining healthy blood cells.

Six third-party testing companies have verified all MegaFood supplements. The B Corporation, NSF gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, vegan, and Glyphosate Residue-Free certifications are among the company's qualifications.

However, keep in mind that the items have not been independently tested for accuracy or strength.

Standard Benefits:

• Increases iron levels without nausea or constipation
• Includes folic acid and vitamin B12 for healthy red blood cell production
• Formulated with vitamin C and beet root for optimal iron absorption

8. Klaire Labs Chewable Iron Chelate

Chewable supplements are a convenient and tasty way to take your vitamins and minerals.

Klaire Labs Chewable Iron Chelate contains 30 mg of elemental iron in the form of Ferrochel ferric trisglycinate chelate, which is a highly absorbable form of iron.

The tablets have a natural cherry flavor and less sugar than many other chewable supplements on the market.

It's free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans. It's also devoid of added colorings or preservatives.

Klaire Labs' products are made in GMP-certified plants.

How to Pick an Iron Supplement

When choosing an iron supplement, it's important to think about a few things.

Is Iron Supplementation The Best Option For You?

If you are trying to improve your iron levels or maintain them, you might need an iron supplement.

If you have adequate iron reserves to meet your blood requirements, you should not use iron supplements.

Don't give your child an iron supplement unless a doctor says it's okay. Children are more prone to developing iron toxicity than adults.

If oral iron doesn't work, if they can't absorb it, or if their iron losses are too substantial to be treated via oral supplements, some people with iron deficiency anemia may need intravenous (IV) iron infusions.

In general, talk to a healthcare expert to find out if an iron supplement is appropriate for you.

What Type of Iron Should You Take?

For people who do require an iron supplement, finding the correct one might be difficult because there are so many different types of iron supplements available.

The most popular types of iron salts are ferrous and ferric salts. These include ferric sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, and ferric citrate.

Ferrous iron is more bioavailable than ferric iron, which means it's simpler for your body to absorb.

Other varieties of iron you may encounter include heme iron polypeptides (HIP), carbonyl iron, iron amino acid chelates, and polysaccharide-iron complexes (PIC).

Ferrous sulfate, for example, is more likely to cause stomach issues like constipation than other types of iron, such as iron bisglycinate chelate.

How to Take Iron Supplements

If you have iron deficiency anemia, your doctor will probably prescribe iron supplements that you will need to take every day for at least three months. Some people may need to keep taking the supplements even after their hemoglobin levels return to normal.

If you have low iron levels, it is a good idea to take an iron supplement. This is because other nutrients found in multivitamins, such as calcium, can block the absorption of iron.

It is important to take iron supplements between meals. Do not drink tea, coffee, milk, or other beverages with your iron supplements because they can stop the iron from being absorbed into your body.

It is a good idea to take iron with a source of vitamin C because it can help your body absorb the iron better. This includes citrus juices and bell peppers.

Look for high quality iron supplements that have been tested by independent organizations for quality and purity. Check for seals of approval from organizations such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and NSF International.

Dosing

If you are low on iron, you will need more than the average person needs every day. You should speak with a healthcare professional to figure out how much is right for you.

The amount of iron you need to take each day depends on the form of iron you are taking. Usually, experts recommend taking divided doses of iron each day in order to reach 100-200 mg of elemental iron per day if you have an iron deficiency.

Taking iron pills every day, on the other hand, may help with absorption and tolerance. However, a new study suggests that taking smaller doses of iron once daily and iron every other day may improve absorption and tolerability.

People who need extra iron to be healthy usually require smaller doses of iron than people who are deficient in iron.

If you have low iron stores, a healthcare professional can recommend a dosage that works best for your needs. Taking extra iron can help if you have a deficiency or need it for another reason.

Criteria For Choosing

This post looks at iron supplements based on the following criteria:

• Quality. The iron supplements are checked for quality and purity by a third-party organization.
• Iron type. The supplements have forms of iron that are easy for the body to absorb.
• Other nutrients. The supplements do not contain any nutrients that stop your body from absorbing iron. They might even contain some nutrients that help absorption.
• Dose. The supplements have an effective dose of iron.
• Price. Good products for a range of budgets.

Final Thought

Iron is an important mineral that helps transport oxygen and create healthy red blood cells.

Some people need to take supplements to get the iron they need. You can usually get the iron you need from food, but sometimes you might need a supplement.

There are many types of iron supplements. They come in different doses and forms of the mineral.

Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement. Consider the factors mentioned above to help you choose a high quality product.

Potential Negative Effects and Safety Issues

When taking a new medication, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects that may occur. Additionally, it is crucial to be aware of any safety concerns associated with the medication in order to avoid any potential risks.

Some forms of iron are more likely than others to cause gastrointestinal problems such as constipation.

Iron supplements can sometimes interact with other medications.

Iron supplements, for example, may decrease the absorption of Parkinson's disease medicines and levothyroxine, a common hypothyroidism treatment drug for goitre.

However, some medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors, which are used to treat acid reflux or stomach ulcers, can lower iron absorption by decreasing gastric acid production, which is a necessary step in iron uptake.

Taking too much iron can have side effects, some of which may be severe.

For example, elemental iron up to 9 mg per pound (20 mg per kg) of body weight is usually well tolerated. However, doses of 9–27 mg per pound (20–60 mg per kg) can be mildly to moderately toxic.

Taking doses greater than 27 mg per pound (60 mg per kg) might cause unpleasant symptoms and even be deadly.

If you're thinking of taking iron supplements, it's important to talk to a healthcare professional about the right dosage for you.

Iron supplements can be harmful to children, as they are more likely to ingest a dangerous amount of the supplement than adults. Children may mistake the supplements for candy, which can be fatal.

Frequently Asked Questions