Sooner or later, everyone happens to hear about iron supplements. In particular, women suffer from a condition known as anemia, whose main symptoms, tiredness and weakness, are due, in most cases, precisely to a reduction in the iron reserves in the blood.
Health and nutrition professionals often use iron supplements to treat anemia. Outside of the medical field, few people know the secrets of this food supplement. In our article, we will talk about iron and how to take advantage of this beneficial mineral. Keep reading!
Here we had listed out the best quality of iron supplements that are given below.
- A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF HEMOGLOBIN Iron is a necessary component of hemoglobin; the oxygen carrier responsible for delivering...
- HELPS MAINTAIN ENERGY UTILIZATION (1) Iron supports energy utilization; helping you to feel your best (1)
- SUPPORTS WOMEN’S HEALTH (1) Everyone needs Iron; but pregnancy and menstruation may increase Iron requirements; Often...
- NECESSARY FOR OVERALL HEALTH Taking a daily Iron supplement with Ferrus Sulfate helps provide your body with the iron it needs for...
- FROM THE TRUSTED WELLNESS EXPERTS Nature’s Bounty Iron is a product of 50 years of dedication to quality; consistency and...
- Vitron-C is a high potency iron supplement for iron deficiency and supports red blood cell production*
- Iron pills boost energy by helping to fight fatigue in users with low iron levels
- Iron supplements for women and men contain 65 mg of elemental iron and 125 mg of Vitamin C to support a healthy immune system and...
- Gentle iron absorption and helps minimize constipation with carbonyl iron using one iron pill daily
- Dye Free, gluten free, vegan with no artificial colors or flavors
- Plays a central role in energy production, immune system function, and neurological health
- NOW uses Ferrochel Iron Bisglycinate, which has clinically demonstrated superior absorption and is well tolerated because it is...
- Non-GMO
- Vegan / Vegetarian
- Soy free, nut free, dairy free, egg free
- Gentle Iron Tablets: Clinically shown to increase iron levels without side effects
- Vital Nutrients: Formulated with vitamin C and beet root
- Nourishing Ingredients: Includes folic acid and vitamin B12 for healthy red blood cell production
- Better Health Starts with Nature: We use real food and added nutrients in our premium supplements
- Goodness is in Our Roots: We believe you are what you do, and so we’re obsessed with quality
- Gluten free
- High potency formula
- Gentle on your system
- Active Iron for Women is the perfect combination of high potency iron and 16 essential vitamins. Specifically formulated for women...
- Active Iron for Women ensures optimum absorption by synchronising the release of all minerals and vitamins. Excellent supplement...
- Active Iron’s high potency, easy to swallow, iron pills are clinically proven 2X better absorption than standard iron tablets*
- Suitable for vegetarians, coeliacs and pregnant women. Free from artificial preservatives, gluten, yeast and added sugar
- Non-constipating formula contains 25mg of Elemental iron and is designed to reduce gut irritation, making it kind enough to take...
- Liquid Iron Supplement for Women, Men, and Kids: Iron is important for blood production, cellular health, energy metabolism, and...
- Overall Health & Wellness: Support your overall health & wellness by replenishing iron levels with iron supplements, in a...
- Enhanced Absorption: Liquid Iron supplements for women, men, and children comes from bioavailable Ferrochel, otherwise known as...
- Easy-to-Take Liquid: This gentle iron supplement for women, men, and kids comes in liquid form so it’s easy to swallow and...
- For Most Lifestyles: MaryRuth's liquid iron supplement for kids and adults is Non-GMO, Vegan, No Artificial Colors. Liquid iron...
- One 60-count bottle of Slow Fe 45mg Iron Supplement for Iron Deficiency
- No.1 doctor recommended iron tablets for iron deficiency
- High potency iron formulated for daily use and less discomfort
- Non constipating iron supplements that feature a special controlled release system that delivers iron slowly to your body, causing...
- Iron pills for anemia in an easy-to-swallow tablet
- Supports Energy and Red Blood Cell Production*
- 195 capsules - see product images for size compared to a quarter, 6 month supply (taken daily at the listed serving size)
- No artificial colors or flavors, no chemical preservatives
- Vegan and gluten free
- Made in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility in the USA from US and imported ingredients
- High Potency Iron Supplements for Women, Men, and Children Over 12: Each Feosol Original tablet contains 65 mg of elemental iron,...
- The Form of Iron Tablets Doctors Often Recommend: Feosol Original contains Ferrous Sulfate, a form of iron supplement widely...
- Blood Builder Benefits: Just one Feosol Original Iron Supplement tablet every day helps support red blood cell production, energy,...
- Easy to Swallow: Feosol’s small coated iron tablets are easy to swallow and may be taken with food
- Made in USA: Feosol has been a trusted leader and innovator of iron supplements for over 70 years
Buying Guide to Select the Best Iron Supplements
What Is Iron?
Iron is a metal present in large quantities in the Earth: it represents, in fact, about 5% of the Earth’sEarth’s crust. As for nutrition, this substance is indispensable in small quantities for the proper functioning of the human body. The cells of our organism strictly control their absorption, regulation, and metabolism.
Iron is involved in numerous processes in human biology. This mineral causes specific chemical reactions to take place and is an essential part of two proteins responsible for the circulation of oxygen and nutrients (myoglobin and hemoglobin). In the following list, we explain these functions in detail.
Enzymatic functions (chemical reagents): Among other things, iron plays an important role in the synthesis of DNA, in the formation of collagen, in the regulation of the immune system, in defense of the organism in front of microbes that cause diseases and in the regulation of blood pH.
Myoglobin formation: Myoglobin is a protein that stores oxygen in the skeletal muscles (which deal with voluntary movements) and in the myocardium (heart muscle). Thanks to iron, this protein can form properly and release oxygen to muscle fibers in the most necessary moments.
Hemoglobin formation: Hemoglobin has a structure similar to myoglobin. This protein is found in red blood cells, endowing them with the ability to transport oxygen to the tissues that need it and to remove the carbon dioxide resulting from cellular metabolism. For the formation of this protein, iron is needed.
What Symptoms Does an Iron Deficiency Cause?
An iron deficiency will negatively affect all the processes that depend on this mineral, in particular the formation of hemoglobin. When this blood protein reduces its synthesis, the number of red blood cells drops. This pathology is known as iron deficiency anemia. Its signs and symptoms are listed in the following list:
Mild Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Fatigue: Tiredness in the face of activities that previously did not involve any effort is usually one of the first symptoms of anemia. By reducing the amount of hemoglobin, the body’s tissues (including those of the muscles and the brain) receive less blood supply and are more prone to exhaustion.
- Pallor: Hemoglobin gives blood its characteristic scarlet color. An iron deficiency (and, therefore, hemoglobin deficiency) will make the skin pale. In dark-skinned people, this whiteness can be seen in the mucous membranes (for example, in the inner lining of the eyelids, which will appear whitish rather than pinkish).
- Headache: If the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the brain is compromised due to a lack of iron, recurrent headaches may occur.
Lack of concentration: Decreased brain oxygenation can make it difficult to concentrate on studying or working. - Nails and Brittle Hair: The lack of blood supply to hair and nails will make their tissues fragile. Hair will lose shine and, if iron deficiency is severe enough, it can fall out. As for the nails, they will tend to break easily and can take on a concave appearance known as koilonychia.
- Strange Cravings: An iron deficiency can provoke the strange desire to eat ice, clay, EarthEarth, plaster, or the lime of the walls: it is how the body tries to recover part of the mineral it is lacking.
- Anxiety: The lack of tissue oxygen caused by iron deficiency can cause a state of nervousness and constant anxiety.
- Most Frequent Infections: Iron is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. A deficiency of it will affect the function of white blood cells and complicate the destruction of microbes, which will cause more infections such as colds and gastroenteritis.
Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Lack of Appetite: Anemia has been found to cause weakness and loss of appetite in some people. Eating less will further worsen anemia, creating a vicious cycle.
- Palpitations and Accelerated Heart Rhythm: The heart muscle will try to compensate for the drop in hemoglobin by increasing the frequency of the beats. This will increase the speed at which the blood reaches the various tissues of the body, but will cause tachycardia and palpitations.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: Iron deficiency anemia has been linked to a higher incidence of this unpleasant disease. Tingling in the legs occurs in this syndrome, which usually occurs during rest periods and can cause insomnia.
- In Children and Adolescents, Reduced Growth: Iron is essential for the proper development of younger people. If anemia is not treated early, it could endanger growth.
- Underweight Babies: Pregnant women with very severe anemias have been shown to give birth to children of lower weight and higher complication rates than healthy women. Mild anemia, however, is not a cause for concern and is not considered harmful to pregnant women.
There are different causes of iron deficiency. A poor intake of this mineral, a deficient absorption by the body, greater iron losses, or an increase in nutritional needs can determine the appearance of iron deficiency anemia. The population groups that present the greatest risks of presenting this deficiency are listed in the following list:
- Less iron intake
- Individuals who follow diets rich in carbohydrates and poor in products of animal origin (especially vegans and vegetarians)
- People who undergo low-calorie weight-loss diets
- People suffering from eating disorders
- Iron deficiency deficiency
- People with celiac disease
- People with Crohn’s disease
- People with ulcerative colitis
- Individuals who have undergone surgery with which part of the intestine or stomach has been removed (bariatric surgery or surgery to treat cancer, Crohn’s disease or colitis)
- Increase in iron losses
- Women with heavy menstruation or endometriosis
- People who lose blood due to various diseases (especially esophageal varices or colon cancer)
- Increased nutritional needs
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Children and adolescents in the growing age
- People who play very demanding sports
- Stressed people (students in exam periods, workers in very demanding tasks)
In most cases, people who suffer from iron deficiency anemia are women of childbearing age because they lose large amounts of blood during menstruation. Anemias that appear in non-menstruating people can have more serious causes and should be studied in depth by a doctor.
Who Can Benefit from An Iron Supplement?
If symptoms of anemia appear, it is recommended that you seek medical attention to rule out potentially serious problems, such as colon cancer. Once it is ascertained that the deficiency of this mineral is due to an unbalanced diet or an increase in losses due to physiological causes, an iron supplement will be a useful addition to the diet.
Fortunately, young people, women with heavy menstruation, and vegans suffer from the most benign type of iron deficiency anemia, which is usually detected by a simple blood test. These people will greatly benefit from using an iron supplement, noting the following effects after treatment.
What Types of Iron Supplements Are There?
When buying a new iron supplement, you will find several preparations based on this mineral. The iron molecule is very unstable on its own, so it is necessary to combine it with other substances so that it does not degrade and lose its functions. In the following list, you will find more information on these substances.
- Ferrous Sulphate: This is the most popular iron compound, and that appears in most of the supplements of this mineral. Although it is an economical and safe product, it must be taken on an empty stomach so as not to impair its absorption. It can cause unwanted gastrointestinal effects.
- Ferrous Gluconate: This type of supplement contains two amino acid molecules that increase absorption so that it can be taken together with food. Besides, this substance involves fewer gastrointestinal discomfort than ferrous sulfate.
- Ferrous Bisglycinate: This supplement is more delicate with the digestive system of the most sensitive people. In general, fewer side effects will occur when using bis-glycinate.
- Other Preparations (lactate and Citrate): There are numerous combinations of iron and other substances (such as lactate or Citrate). In this case, it is recommended to choose supplements that offer ferrous iron (Fe II) instead of ferric iron (Fe III). The ferrous form of this mineral is more easily absorbed.
Besides, you can find combinations of iron and other nutrients, such as vitamin C (an antioxidant that can improve the absorption of this mineral), folic acid (another nutrient essential for the synthesis of red blood cells) and vitamin B12 ( a compound that tends to be missing in vegan diets). You can find more information about these substances in this blog.
