Benefits
Iron is an essential nutrient crucial for transporting oxygen in the blood, and deficiency can cause fatigue and compromised immunity. There are two types of dietary iron: heme iron, which is found in animal foods, and nonheme iron, which is found in plant foods and supplements. The human body absorbs heme iron from animal foods more readily than nonheme iron from plant foods. Some people on plant-based diets, especially premenopausal females, require extra iron.
Bottle contains 120 capsules (60-day supply)
Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing, or on medication, consult with your healthcare practitioner.
- Provides 27 mg iron per capsule
- Formulated for high absorption
- Well-tolerated by gastrointestinal system
- Vegan and non-GMO; free of gluten, dairy, and soy
Key Ingredients
Ferrochel® iron
Gentle Iron contains Ferrochel®, a patented formulation of iron bisglycinate. Research suggests iron bisglycinate is more highly absorbed than other forms of iron and causes less gastrointestinal discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take supplemental iron?
Although too much iron can have a negative effect on health, it is appropriate to supplement with iron in cases of deficiency or an increased biological need, such as in pregnancy. Because of the difference in absorption between plant and animal sources of iron, premenopausal women following plant-based diets are more likely to be low in iron. Due to iron losses, women with heavy menstrual bleeding may also be low in iron. An estimated 18% of pregnant women and 9% of teen girls and premenopausal women in the U.S. are iron deficient.
How much iron should I take during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, iron needs approximately double; adequate iron stores are essential for early infant brain development, are needed to support the large increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy, and may also be important for mother-child bonding during infancy. Iron deficiency in the mother can lead to iron deficiency in their breast-fed infant. It is important for pregnant women (and those planning on becoming pregnant), especially those on a vegan or near-vegan diet, to maintain adequate iron stores. Dr. Fuhrman recommends pregnant women check their ferritin to measure iron stores, to see if iron supplementation is indicated.
Is Gentle Iron gluten-free? Allergen-free?
Gentle Iron is not made with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. It is produced in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
What research went into this product?
Below are the studies that informed this product:
1. Ashmead SD. The chemistry of ferrous bis-glycinate chelate. Arch Latinoam Nutr 2001, 51:7-12.
2. Abbas AM, Abdelbadee SA, Alanwar A, Mostafa S. Efficacy of ferrous bis-glycinate versus ferrous glycine sulfate in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia with pregnancy: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019, 32:4139-4145.
3. Milman N, Jonsson L, Dyre P, et al. Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial. J Perinat Med 2014, 42:197-206.
4. Brewer GJ. Risks of copper and iron toxicity during aging in humans. Chemical research in toxicology 2010, 23:319-326.
5. Mei Z, Cogswell ME, Looker AC, et al. Assessment of iron status in US pregnant women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2006. Am J Clin Nutr 2011, 93:1312-1320.
6. Scholl TO. Iron status during pregnancy: setting the stage for mother and infant. Am J Clin Nutr 2005, 81:1218S-1222S.
7. Waldmann A, Koschizke JW, Leitzmann C, Hahn A. Dietary iron intake and iron status of German female vegans: results of the German vegan study. Ann Nutr Metab 2004, 48:103-108.
8. Wang W, Bourgeois T, Klima J, et al. Iron deficiency and fatigue in adolescent females with heavy menstrual bleeding. Haemophilia 2013, 19:225-230.
9. Cogswell ME, Looker AC, Pfeiffer CM, et al. Assessment of iron deficiency in US preschool children and nonpregnant females of childbearing age: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. Am J Clin Nutr 2009, 89:1334-1342.
10. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Iron. In Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health.
11. Murray-Kolb LE, Beard JL. Iron deficiency and child and maternal health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009, 89:946S-950S.
12. Armony-Sivan R, Kaplan-Estrin M, Jacobson SW, Lozoff B. Iron-deficiency anemia in infancy and mother-infant interaction during feeding. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2010, 31:326-332.
13. Lozoff B, Georgieff MK. Iron deficiency and brain development. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology 2006, 13:158-165.
14. Gautam CS, Saha L, Sekhri K, Saha PK. Iron deficiency in pregnancy and the rationality of iron supplements prescribed during pregnancy. Medscape J Med 2008, 10:283.
15. Beard JL. Why iron deficiency is important in infant development. J Nutr 2008, 138:2534-2536.
