Iron

About Iron

Essential for oxygen transport via hemoglobin and energy production in mitochondria. Iron bisglycinate (Ferrochel) offers 2–4x higher bioavailability than ferrous sulfate with significantly less GI distress—it's the preferred supplemental form. Vitamin C taken alongside iron substantially boosts absorption. Premenopausal women need 18 mg/day versus 8 mg for men. Unsupervised supplementation in non-deficient individuals can cause iron overload, so testing ferritin levels before supplementing is strongly recommended.

What Iron supports

• ❤️Transports oxygen in blood
• ⚡Fuels energy production
• 🧠Supports cognitive function

How much Iron to take

Clinical studies typically use 15–45 mg of Iron. 15-25 mg for prevention/maintenance, 25-45 mg for deficiency treatment. RDA is 8 mg (men) / 18 mg (premenopausal women). Bisglycinate forms effective at lower doses due to 2-4× bioavailability.

RDA

8 mg

Upper limit (UL)

45 mg

Effective range

15–45 mg

Forms of Iron compared

• Iron bisglycinate (Ferrochel)Premium
  2–4× absorption of sulfate. Minimal GI distress.
• Heme ironPremium
  Animal-derived; highest bioavailability of any iron form.
• Ferrous ascorbateStandard
  Iron + vitamin C in one molecule; ascorbate boosts non-heme absorption.
• Sucrosomial ironStandard
  Phospholipid-encapsulated iron; bypasses gut absorption blocks with minimal GI effects.
• Ferrous fumarateBudget
  Significant GI side effects
• Ferrous sulfateBudget
  Common GI side effects
• Ferrous gluconateBudget
  Low elemental iron (12%)
• Carbonyl ironBudget
  Questionable absorption
• Polysaccharide ironBudget
  Poor efficacy in trials
• Iron oxideBudget
  Minimal absorption

Clinical evidence

Strong clinical evidence. Essential for oxygen transport via hemoglobin; bisglycinate form has 2-4x better absorption than ferrous sulfate