8 Best Iron Supplements of 2022

Iron is a mineral present in hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen from your lungs to your tissues, and myoglobin, another protein that carries and stores oxygen for your muscles.

It’s also essential for brain cell development, physical growth, and hormone synthesis, and it supports muscle metabolism.

Iron has two types: heme iron and non-heme iron. Plants and iron-fortified products contain only non-heme iron, while animal food sources contain both types. Some of the richest sources of iron are red meat, organ meats, seafood, nuts, beans, and leafy greens.

Still, some populations may have inadequate iron intake, impaired absorption, or increased iron needs. Thus, they may be at risk for iron deficiency, which can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and weakness, among other symptoms.

These populations typically include infants and kids, athletes, people with heavy menstrual bleeding, those who are pregnant, those with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders or cancer, and those who frequently donate blood.

Fortunately, there are plenty of iron supplements available that can help restore your iron stores.

Here are the 8 best iron supplements for 2022.

Best iron supplement for anemia

Thorne Iron Bisglycinate

• Type: Ferrochel (iron bisglycinate chelate)
• Dosage: 1 capsule per day

Iron deficiency anemia is a common condition that occurs when your body’s iron levels are too low.

There are many causes of iron deficiency anemia, including inadequate iron intake, pregnancy, blood loss during menstruation, and issues with iron absorption.

While some people may notice symptoms such as low energy levels and shortness of breath, many people do not realize that they have anemia until they get a diagnosis after a routine blood test.

Depending on the severity of your iron deficiency, a healthcare professional may recommend taking oral iron supplements.

While there are many products to choose from, Thorne Iron Bisglycinate is one of the best for combating anemia, as it’s made by one of the most reputable supplement brands and contains only iron.

What’s more, each capsule packs 139% of the Daily Value (DV) for iron in the form of iron bisglycinate chelate — a form of iron that’s easy for your body to absorb and less likely to cause GI side effects than other forms of iron, such as ferrous sulfate.

The product is also NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it’s free of substances that have been banned by most sports organizations and is therefore safe for athletes.

Additionally, Thorne’s facilities are verified by multiple international third-party organizations, including Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, a regulatory agency run by the Australian Government Department of Health.

Best affordable iron supplement

Nature Made Iron 65mg Tablets

• Type: ferrous sulfate
• Dosage: 1 tablet per day

Nature Made boasts 65 mg of iron per capsule — that’s 361% of the DV for iron, or the equivalent of 325 mg of ferrous sulfate.

Ferrous sulfate is a common form of supplemental iron with high solubility, meaning that it releases iron ions faster and is therefore easier to absorb.

However, this form of iron is more likely than other forms to cause GI side effects such as constipation.

The product is verified by USP, a third-party organization that tests quality, including a product’s purity, potency, and performance.