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Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Iron Metabolism

Iron metabolism is how the body absorbs, stores, transports and recycles iron, which it needs to make hemoglobin, the red blood cell protein that carries oxygen. Copper has the clearest support among supplements, and trials found hemoglobin levels went up, with moderate evidence. That finding comes from about 250 participants, so it is a useful signal rather than the final word.

Supplements studied
1
Graded outcomes
2

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

1 supplement

Copper: outcomes studied for Iron Metabolism
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Hemoglobin Levels

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect250 people
Serum Iron

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect200 people

Key findings

  • Hemoglobin LevelsCopperImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Serum IronCopperImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

The supplement graded A or B for Iron Metabolism. Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.

  • Grade B

Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure

Studies cited

10 studies from PubMed

  1. Copper and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic ReviewAdv Nutr, 2018 · PMID 29685187
  2. The Role of Copper in Bone Health: A ReviewJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2018 · PMID 30125871
  3. Dietary Copper and Health: A Review of EvidenceOpen Heart, 2018 · PMID 30274599
  4. Copper and Angiogenesis: Implications for Wound HealingWound Repair Regen, 2018 · PMID 29709523
  5. Copper in Human Health: A Review of Essentiality and ToxicityJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2017 · PMID 28378820
  6. Copper and Immunity: A Comprehensive ReviewBr J Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28954198
  7. Copper and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Evidence and MechanismsJ Alzheimers Dis, 2017 · PMID 29136641
  8. Copper Status Assessment: Methods and Clinical ApplicationsBr J Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28556916
  9. Copper Deficiency: Causes and Clinical ManifestationsAdv Nutr, 2016 · PMID 27151610
  10. Recommended Dietary Allowances for Copper: Evidence ReviewAm J Clin Nutr, 2016 · PMID 27553611