Last verified: today
Iron
Also known as: ferrous sulfate, ferric iron, liposomal iron, Fe, elemental iron
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Essential mineral. Treats iron deficiency anemia, but supplementation carries real risks if not needed.
-
What it does
Iron is an essential mineral your body needs to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Clinical trials in the provided studies confirm that iron supplementation...
-
Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
-
Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies
-
Found in
Iron Bisglycinate NSF (Thorne), Huel Black Edition, Mama Bird Prenatal Multi+ and 17 more
What the Science Says
Iron is an essential mineral your body needs to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Clinical trials in the provided studies confirm that iron supplementation effectively raises hemoglobin levels and reduces anemia risk in deficient children and women. Liposomal iron formulations appear to produce greater hemoglobin increases at 6 months compared to conventional iron in children, with potentially better tolerability.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't boost energy or performance if you're not actually iron deficient. Not a general wellness supplement. Taking iron when you don't need it can harm your gut microbiome and may impair children's growth if diet quality is poor. Not a substitute for a balanced diet.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Raises hemoglobin and reduces anemia risk in iron-deficient children.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Liposomal iron produces greater hemoglobin gains than conventional iron in children at 6 months.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Supplement use significantly improves the likelihood of meeting iron intake recommendations in at-risk groups like female athletes.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate — varies significantly by formulation. Liposomal iron shows improved absorption and tolerability over conventional oral iron in pediatric studies. Aqueous iron may have absorption issues and gut side effects.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Iron supplementation without confirmed deficiency can cause gut microbiome disruption and may impair linear growth in children on poor diets
- Conventional oral iron frequently causes gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, constipation) that reduce adherence
- Iron toxicity is a leading cause of accidental poisoning in young children — keep supplements out of reach
- High iron levels in the body (excess iron deposition in the brain) have been linked to neurological concerns in some research
Products Containing Iron
See how Iron is used in these analyzed products:
Iron Bisglycinate NSF (Thorne)
Supplement
Huel Black Edition
Supplement
Mama Bird Prenatal Multi+
Supplement
Double Wood Methylated Multivitamin
Supplement
Newchapter
Supplement
Purolabs Pregnancy Complex
Supplement
Littlesecretschocolates
Supplement
Atkins Protein Bar
Supplement
Onnit Creatine
Supplement
NOW Zinc Picolinate 50mg
Supplement
Naked Nutrition Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Supplement
Eu Natural Prenatal Glow
Supplement
True Nutrition Flavor Packs (50g)
Supplement
HUM Nutrition Private Party
Supplement
MegaFood Blood Builder Minis
Supplement
Huel Powder
Supplement
Life Extension Mix Capsules
Supplement
Nutricost Pre-X Extreme Pre-Workout
Supplement
New Chapter Every Woman's One Daily Multivitamin
Supplement
Organic India Moringa
Supplement
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25