Condition
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by excessive blood loss or reduced iron absorption or intake. It can be treated with oral iron supplementation, though there is a wide range of individual tolerance for, and effectiveness of, iron supplements.
- Supplements studied
- 6
- Graded outcomes
- 8
- Trials
- 7
- People studied
- 42,003
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin Increase Large Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 2,992 people | |||
| Serum Iron Levels Large Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 1,500 people | |||
| Pregnancy IDA Treatment Moderate Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 2,041 people |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anemia Risk Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 70 people | ||
Studies that measured anemia risk | ||||||
| Blood Pressure | Improves (the measure goes down) | 3 studies | 70 people | |||
Studies that measured blood pressure
| ||||||
| Leg Edema | Changes; see studies | 70 people | ||||
| Proteinuria | Improves (the measure goes up) | 70 people | ||||
Iron
- Alertness: improves
- Aerobic Exercise Metrics
- Hemoglobin: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alertness Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 294 people | |||
| Aerobic Exercise Metrics No effect | NoneNo effect | 2 studies | 373 people | |||
| Hemoglobin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 7 studies | 4,421 people | |||
Studies that measured hemoglobin
| ||||||
| Depression Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 219 people | |||
| Stress Signs and Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 294 people | |||
Studies that measured stress signs and symptoms | ||||||
| Anemia Risk | Improves (the measure goes down) | 34,564 people | ||||
| Fatigue Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 154 people | ||||
| Ferritin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 3,648 people | ||||
| Iron Deficiency Anemia Risk | Changes; see studies | 34,564 people | ||||
| Iron Deficiency Risk | Changes; see studies | 34,564 people | ||||
| Memory | Improves (the measure goes up) | 294 people | ||||
Spirulina
- Anemia Risk: improves
- White Blood Cell Count: improves
- Red Blood Cell Count: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anemia Risk Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 40 people | |||
| White Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 40 people | |||
Studies that measured white blood cell count | ||||||
| Red Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 40 people | ||||
Magnesium
- Hematocrit
- Transferrin: improves
- Hemoglobin: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hematocrit No effect | NoneNo effect | 45 people | ||||
| Transferrin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 45 people | |||
Studies that measured transferrin | ||||||
| Hemoglobin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 45 people | ||||
| Total Iron Binding Capacity | Improves (the measure goes up) | 45 people | ||||
Zinc
- Iron Absorption: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Absorption | Improves (the measure goes up) | 4 studies | 22 people | |||
Key findings
- Hemoglobin IncreaseImproves (the measure goes up)
- Serum Iron LevelsImproves (the measure goes up)
- Pregnancy IDA TreatmentImproves (the measure goes up)
The Iron Deficiency Anemia protocol
2 primary supplements · 3 supporting supplements
- Iron (Ferrous Bisglycinate preferred)25–50 mg elemental iron daily or every other day
- Vitamin C200–500 mg with iron dose
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
The supplement graded A or B for Iron Deficiency Anemia. Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.
- Grade A
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Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- The effectiveness of oral bovine lactoferrin compared to iron supplementation in patients with a low hemoglobin profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
- Probiotics, Prebiotics, Lactoferrin, and Combination Products for Prevention of Mortality and Morbidity in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
- Lactoferrin: Antimicrobial impacts, genomic guardian, therapeutic uses and clinical significance for humans and animals
- Time to Kill and Time to Heal: The Multifaceted Role of Lactoferrin and Lactoferricin in Host Defense
- Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Inflammation, Immune Function, and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Lactoferrin for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical trial
- Lactoferrin modulates gut microbiota and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in mice with dysbiosis induced by antibiotics
- Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Lactoferrin: an overview of its main functions, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial role, and clinical significance
- Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants
- Enteral Lactoferrin Supplementation for Preventing Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Meta-Analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Effects of spirulina and wakame consumption on intestinal cholesterol absorption and serum lipid concentrations in non-hypercholesterolemic adult men and women
- The Impact of Lactoferrin on the Growth of Intestinal Inhabitant Bacteria
- Effects of Lactoferrin on Subjective Skin Conditions in Winter: A Preliminary, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Spirulina in Health and Disease Prevention: A Comprehensive Review
- Spirulina Supplementation and Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis
- Spirulina and Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review
- Spirulina (Arthrospira): Nutritional Value and Health Effects
- Spirulina and Immune Function: A Systematic Review
- Safety Assessment of Spirulina (Arthrospira) as a Dietary Supplement
- Lactoferrin or ferrous salts for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: A meta-analysis of randomized trials
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris
- A systematic review of lactoferrin use in dermatology
- A Systematic Review of the Effects of Spirulina on Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Effects of Spirulina on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Overview of Lactoferrin as a Natural Immune Modulator
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Spirulina: Evidence from Clinical Studies
- Effects of Spirulina on Body Weight and Blood Glucose: A Meta-Analysis
- Effect of Spirulina maxima on postprandial lipemia in young runners: a preliminary report
- Efficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study
- Dietary effect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of acne vulgaris
- Bovine lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of late-onset sepsis in very low-birth-weight neonates: a randomized trial
- Wheat grass supplementation decreases oxidative stress in healthy subjects: a comparative study with spirulina
- Safety and immunoenhancing effect of a Chlorella-derived dietary supplement in healthy adults undergoing influenza vaccination: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A secretion increases after 4-weeks ingestion of chlorella-derived multicomponent supplement in humans: a randomized cross over study
- Effect of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Anti-hypertensive effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-rich Chlorella on high-normal blood pressure and borderline hypertension in placebo-controlled double blind study
- Quantifying the Impact of Algae Supplement on Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Six-week supplementation with Chlorella has favorable impact on antioxidant status in Korean male smokers
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa supplementation reduces the risk of anemia, proteinuria and edema in pregnant women
- Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study
- Quantifying the Effect of Supplementation with Algae and Its Extracts on Glycolipid Metabolism: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of iron supplementation in female soldiers during military training: effects on iron status, physical performance, and mood
- Clinical evaluation of iron treatment efficiency among non-anemic but iron-deficient female blood donors: a randomized controlled trial
- Evaluation of a single dose of ferric carboxymaltose in fatigued, iron-deficient women--PREFER a randomized, placebo-controlled study
- Role of iron in the reduction of anemia among women of reproductive age in low-middle income countries: insights from systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Oral iron supplementation and anaemia in children according to schedule, duration, dose and cosupplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 129 randomised trials.
- Efficacy of daily versus intermittent oral iron supplementation for prevention of anaemia among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Marginal iron deficiency without anemia impairs aerobic adaptation among previously untrained women
- Iron supplementation improves progressive fatigue resistance during dynamic knee extensor exercise in iron-depleted, nonanemic women
- Effect of iron supplementation on fatigue in nonanemic menstruating women with low ferritin: a randomized controlled trial
- Efficacy of iron supplementation on fatigue and physical capacity in non-anaemic iron-deficient adults: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
- Four weeks of IV iron supplementation reduces perceived fatigue and mood disturbance in distance runners
- A Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Ferric Carboxymaltose in Iron-Deficient Patients with Fibromyalgia
- The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Effects of iron supplementation versus dietary iron on the nutritional iron status: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Intermittent iron supplementation for reducing anaemia and its associated impairments in adolescent and adult menstruating women
- The benefits and harms of oral iron supplementation in non-anaemic pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Iron supplements in pregnant women with normal iron status: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effects of iron supplementation on cognitive development in school-age children: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effect of Oral Iron Supplementation on Cognitive Function among Children and Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Comparative efficacy of intravenous and oral iron supplements for the treatment of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Intravenous iron therapy among patients with heart failure and iron deficiency: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- The effect of magnesium supplementation on serum concentration of lipid profile: an updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials.
- Effects of magnesium on postprandial serum lipid responses in healthy human subjects
- The effect of magnesium supplementation on biochemical markers of bone metabolism or blood pressure in healthy young adult females
- Magnesium Supplementation and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Effect on blood pressure of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in women with low habitual intake
- Effects of Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide, and Magnesium Sulfate Supplementation on Arterial Stiffness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Intervention Trial
- The Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Endothelial Function: A Randomised Cross-Over Pilot Study.
- The Acute Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Endothelial Function: A Randomized Cross-Over Pilot Study.
- Efficacy of Magnesium Supplementation on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Meta-analysis.
- Oral magnesium supplementation in insulin-requiring Type 2 diabetic patients
- The effect of lowering blood pressure by magnesium supplementation in diabetic hypertensive adults with low serum magnesium levels: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic subjects: a randomized double-blind controlled trial
- Oral Magnesium Supplementation for Treating Glucose Metabolism Parameters in People with or at Risk of Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials
- The effect of magnesium supplementation in increasing doses on the control of type 2 diabetes
- Effects of magnesium supplementation on improving hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension in type 2 diabetes: A pooled analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials.
- Short-term oral magnesium supplementation suppresses bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporotic women
- A randomized controlled study of effects of dietary magnesium oxide supplementation on bone mineral content in healthy girls
- Magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention
- Pilot study of the efficacy and safety of a modified-release magnesium 250 mg tablet (Sincromag) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome
- Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes
- Magnesium improves the beta-cell function to compensate variation of insulin sensitivity: double-blind, randomized clinical trial
- Oral magnesium supplementation reduces insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects - a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial
- Effects of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in normo-magnesemic nondiabetic overweight Korean adults
- The effect of magnesium supplementation on glucose and insulin levels of tae-kwan-do sportsmen and sedentary subjects
- Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels in athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and exhaustion: effects of magnesium supplementation
- Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Effects of magnesium supplementation on testosterone levels of athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and after exhaustion
- Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Muscle Soreness and Performance.
- One week of magnesium supplementation lowers IL-6, muscle soreness and increases post-exercise blood glucose in response to downhill running.
- Impact of Magnesium Supplementation in Muscle Damage of Professional Cyclists Competing in a Stage Race.
- Effect of intensive magnesium supplementation on the in vitro oxidizability of LDL and VLDL in Mg-depleted type 1 diabetic patients
- Long term magnesium supplementation influences favourably the natural evolution of neuropathy in Mg-depleted type 1 diabetic patients (T1dm)
- Oral magnesium supplementation in asthmatic children: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial
- Urinary magnesium excretion in asthmatic children receiving magnesium supplementation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
- Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on measures of airway resistance and subjective assessment of asthma control and quality of life in men and women with mild to moderate asthma: a randomized placebo controlled trial
- Oral magnesium and vitamin C supplements in asthma: a parallel group randomized placebo-controlled trial