Iron Supplements are a combination of iron salts that are used to cater to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency occurs due to an imbalanced diet and lack of iron intake or iron absorption. Deficiency of this nutrient is also very prevalent in women owing to their menstruation.
Thus, iron supplements are very crucial and everyone must use them in order to prevent health issues. Since the pharmaceutical market is packed with various iron supplements; you must be confused about which iron supplement to prefer. In this article, we will give you a list of 10 best iron supplements that you can get your hands on. We will guide you in choosing the most fitting iron supplement for your health.
Benefits of Iron Supplements
As we have discussed earlier, Iron supplements help you keep your iron levels in check. People nowadays take these supplements along with their meals. Below is a list of the benefits that Iron Supplements give you.
- A majority of people take imbalanced diet, which lacks a lot of essential nutrients. One of them is Iron. As we all are aware, deficiency of iron can have serious implications. To cover up for the lack of essential nutrients, Iron supplements can be very useful.
- Majority of women face iron deficiency due to their menstrual cycle. Some women suffer from haemorrhaging or excessive bleeding which can gravely deplete the levels of Iron. This blood loss cannot be compensated with just a balanced diet. Iron supplements can help recover the blood loss in 2-3 months’ time.
- Iron supplements can combat problems like hair loss. It not only stops the hair from falling but also promotes the growth of healthy and glossy hair. There have been cases where people with male pattern baldness got better with iron supplements. These cases proved how efficient iron is for hair fall issues.
- Iron supplements improve the quality of the skin. Anaemia or lack of iron can make your face awry and tired looking. This paleness comes from the lack of sufficient blood in the body. Iron supplements remove the paleness from the skin and promote a pinkish glow.
- A very bad implication of Anaemia is fatigue and tiredness. Anaemia can hamper your physical strength and attentiveness. Iron supplements can increase your physical performance and reduce fatigue and loss of attention.
- Another health benefit of iron supplements is that they boost your immunity. Iron is required for a lot of immunity functions such as the creation of oxygen species that are meant to fight against malignant organisms and protect the body.
List of Top 10 Best Iron Supplements in the Market
10. Nature Made Iron
As the name suggests “Nature Made Iron” is a natural and organic iron supplement. It accelerates the formation of red blood cells using its natural content. It does not contain yeast, starch, gluten, artificial flavouring and added preservatives. The potency of these supplements is equal to 325 mg ferrous sulphate. Ingredients of “Nature Made Iron” supplement are Ferrous sulphate, cellulose gel, dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol and polysorbate. This supplement has proven to be very effective for many users.
Pros:
- No artificial flavours
- Purely organic in nature
- No conventional bitter taste
- Gluten free
- Doesn’t contain yeast
- No side effects
- Fast results
Cons:
- Available at a high potency only
- Swallowing the medicine is little hard; tends to melt in the mouth
- Gives nausea to some people
Blood Builder is a multifunctional iron supplement. It contains properties to not only increase the levels of iron but boosts your body’s capacity to absorb the iron content. It further aids to your fatigue with its complementary nutrients. This supplement has mineral-bound yeast that makes digesting these pills rather easy. The ingredients used to manufacture these supplements are handpicked from the farms to ensure that every tablet is packed with goodness and freshness of whole foods.
Pros:
- Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin B12
- Can be taken on an empty stomach.
- Easy to digest
- Organic Ingredients
- Aids to body’s iron absorption capacity
- Boosts body’s energy
Cons:
- Tastes bitter
- Is a little high on calories
- Gives nausea to some people
Gentle Iron Vegetable Capsules, as the name suggest, promotes the production of red blood cells while keeping it light for the stomach. A lot of iron supplement users complain about gastrointestinal irritation, but these tablets contain Iron Bisglycinate. Iron Bisglycinate is known for efficient absorption in order to have a non-constipating and gentle effect on your digestive system. These tablets are non-GMO and gluten free. This product does not contain dairy, yeast, sodium, artificial flavours and preservatives.
Pros:
- Gluten Free
- Does not contain Dairy
- No artificial flavours or sweeteners.
- Organic Ingredients
- Easy to digest and non-constipating
- Boosts your energy
Cons:
- Results can be slow
- Can cause diarrhea to some people
- Size of the tablet is big
Vitron-C is an iron supplement which is high in potency. This iron supplement contains elemental iron that helps you restore your healthy levels of iron. It also contains Vitamin C that helps your body to absorb iron more effectively. Iron supplements that are multifunctional are preferred over plain iron tablets. These tablets are easy on the gut and non-constipating. Its high potency helps in fast restoration of the iron reserves.
Pros:
- Contains Vitamin C
- Does not cause diarrhea
- Easy to digest and non-constipating
- High potency ensures effective iron growth
- Easy to swallow
- Boosts your energy
Cons:
- Can have some side effects
- Can leave a bad aftertaste
- Gives nausea to some people
- Has a bad smell
Garden of life iron supplements are packed with whole foods that are rich in iron, vitamin C, folate, and B12. All the ingredients used in these supplements are fit for vegans. These tablets include enzyme blends for a better digestion. Garden of Life iron supplements are gluten-free, dairy-free and free from artificial fillers or flavouring. Vitamin C is also present in these tablets that will increase the iron absorption in the body.
Pros:
- Gluten Free
- Dairy free
- Contains Vitamin C, B12, and folate
- Organic ingredients
- Effective
- Easy on the stomach
- Aids to the immunity, eye care, and reproductive system
Cons:
- Can cause headaches
- Can cause anxiety, palpitations, and fatigue
- Can give diarrhea
EZ Melts Iron are quickly melted and absorbed iron supplements. They aid to your immunity system, the health of the cells and your physical performance. These tablets are effective and good in taste. These capsules contain carbonyl iron for optimum effects. They also have Vitamin C to aid to the body’s iron absorption capacity. These are fast melting capsules with a pleasant orange taste. They are manufactured in the USA and they do not contain Gluten, GMO, artificial flavours and sweeteners.
Pros:
- GMO-Free
- Gluten Free
- Contains Vitamin C
- Fast melting tablets
- Tastes pleasant
- Natural colouring and flavouring
- Aids to the immune system
Cons:
- Can give unpleasant burps
- Might leave a bad aftertaste
- Gives nausea to some people
Feretts Iron Supplements are 106 mg of Elemental Iron manufactured to regulate levels of iron. These tablets go easy on the stomach and they do not cause constipation. Ferretts tablets do not contain soy, fish, lactose, and yeast. There are no added preservatives or artificial colouring in these capsules. These capsules help you fight the symptoms of anemia like fatigue, inattentiveness and hair loss. Healthy hair growth and improved physical performance have been observed after the intake of these tablets.
Pros:
- Gentle on the stomach
- Does not constipate
- Quick results
- Promotes hair growth
- Fights fatigue
- Easy to Swallow
Cons:
- Gives stomach cramps to some people
- No extra nutrients
- Gives nausea to some people
Zahlers Iron Complex is an iron supplement that caters to all the forms of anemia, stemmed from the deficiency of iron, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid. Zahlers Iron Complex has the required nutrients for the restoration of healthy levels of iron and red blood cells. They are also packed with Vitamin C to increase the iron absorption capacity of your body. These tablets are easily digested and are non-constipating.
Pros:
- Gentle on the stomach
- Does not constipate
- Contains Vitamin C, B12, and folic acid
- Tastes pleasant
- Easy to Swallow
- Aids to the immune system
Cons:
- Gives stomach cramps to some people
- Gives nausea to some people
- Does not mention if it is suitable for vegans
Feosol iron supplements are high in potency and are made of ferrous sulphate. As they are high in potency it makes them effective for people with severe anemia. They contain milk and are not suitable for lactose intolerant people. These should not be taken on an empty stomach as that can cause constipation. These tablets have a triangular shape which makes the consumption easy. These supplements also show a quick result.
Pros:
- Effective results as it is high potency
- Does not constipate
- Tastes pleasant
- Very fewer side effects
- Easy to Swallow
- Boosts your energy levels
Cons:
- Contains milk
- Gives nausea to some people
- Contains food colouring
Iron Plus supplements are designed to restore red blood cells, improve your physical performance, and attentiveness. Iron Plus Supplements contain Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid. Iron Plus claims to restore healthy levels of iron in a very short period of time. These supplements contain Iron Glycinate which is known to be gentle on the stomach. These pills do not cause nausea, constipation or diarrhea. They are small in size thus easy to swallow and do not leave an unpleasant aftertaste. These tablets do not contain GMO.
Pros:
- GMO Free
- Contains Vitamin C, B6, and B12
- Quick results
- Doesn’t give nausea or diarrhea
- No constipating
- Easy to swallow
- Doesn’t give a bad aftertaste
Cons:
- Smells unpleasant
- Product does not have a safety cap
- Might give chest pain to some people
A Beginners Guide on How to Choose Best Iron Supplement for You
1. Get your Hemoglobin/Iron checked: The first step is to get your levels of hemoglobin or iron checked. It is important to monitor your levels of iron, so you should get it tested regularly. As discussed previously, low levels of iron can cause serious complications. So on the basis of your test results proceed with your hunt for iron supplements. If you are severely anemic, you would require a quick and efficient supplement. In case, you are marginally anemic, a low dose of iron supplement can suffice you.
2. Check for your allergies: A lot of iron supplements contain gluten, dairy, wheat, soy etc. You should be aware of your intolerances and allergies. There is an array of iron capsules that are gluten free, dairy free and soy free. In case, you’re gluten intolerant or lactose intolerant, consumption of capsules that are not gluten free and dairy free can cause serious problems. So you should check with your doctor and be sure of your allergies before starting any medication.
3. Check if you want to opt for a vegan iron supplement: Being vegan is a rage these days. There are a majority of people who have become vegan and that are what they look for in their iron tablets. If you are a vegan too then you should do your research as the pharmaceutical market is full of drugs, fit for vegans.
4. Check for the potency you require: On the basis of your level of deficiency, your body would require the needed level of iron potency. Iron supplements that are high in potency work more effectively as compared to the ones that are low in potency. If your iron reserves are severely depleted then you should opt for a high potency iron supplement. Supplements with higher potency tend to give you side effects like constipations, stomach cramps etc.
5. Check if you have a sensitive stomach: Iron supplements have a tendency to go hard on the stomach. Iron salts present in the supplements can make digestion hard. Some iron supplements can result in constipation as well. Some iron supplements provide enzyme blends that make the digestion of iron supplements easy. So if you already have a sensitive stomach you should be extra careful with your selection of iron supplements.
6. Multifunctional Iron Supplements: Some Iron supplements just cater to iron deficiency but some iron supplements are multifunctional. Iron supplements that contain Vitamin C are preferred over plain iron tablets. Vitamin C helps to increase the iron absorption capacity of your body and helps you derive the most from your diet and supplements. Some iron supplements also contain Vitamin B6 and B12 as well so make sure that your iron is well packed with nutrient and you don’t have to consume extra multivitamins.
7. Get your iron re-tested to monitor the results: After at least 3-4 weeks of intake of iron supplements, get your levels of iron tested again. If your iron level has increased, then it implies that your iron supplement is suiting your body. In case your levels of iron have remained the same or worse, have lowered then you should change your iron supplement.
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