Best Supplements for Improved Iron Levels
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 12 supplements across 19 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies, 3 reported statistically significant beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on improving iron levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The predominant effect size was moderate, supported by a large meta-analysis and two randomized controlled trials, though one study showed only a small effect. Effects were typically observed over a median study duration of 90 days, with most evidence coming from studies in pregnant women and adults with iron deficiency or at risk for it.
Dose: 10^10 colony forming units per day - 2IronLow evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of iron supplementation on improving iron levels, with moderate effect sizes observed in the largest meta-analysis of healthy blood donors (Hb: MD 2.52 g/L, ferritin: MD 12.39 ng/mL). One harmful effect was found in a meta-analysis of vitiligo patients, where serum iron was significantly higher. The most studied dose range was 7 to 105 mg/day elemental iron, and the evidence is dominated by moderate effect sizes, though results vary by population.
Dose: 7 to 105 mg/day elemental iron
- ModerateLactobacillus plantarum 299vAcross 4 studies, 3 reported statistically significant beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on improving iron levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The predominant effect size was moderate, supported by a large meta-analysis and two randomized controlled trials, though one study showed only a small effect. Effects were typically observed over a median study duration of 90 days, with most evidence coming from studies in pregnant women and adults with iron deficiency or at risk for it. · Dose: 10^10 colony forming units per day4 beneficial4 studies
- LowIronAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of iron supplementation on improving iron levels, with moderate effect sizes observed in the largest meta-analysis of healthy blood donors (Hb: MD 2.52 g/L, ferritin: MD 12.39 ng/mL). One harmful effect was found in a meta-analysis of vitiligo patients, where serum iron was significantly higher. The most studied dose range was 7 to 105 mg/day elemental iron, and the evidence is dominated by moderate effect sizes, though results vary by population. · Dose: 7 to 105 mg/day elemental iron3 beneficial1 harmful4 studies