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Vegan True Iron Support

Source Naturals
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1348 ratings)
Iron 27 mg
Folate 340 mcg
Product Image
Score87
A focused, high-value iron bisglycinate formula with useful vitamin C, folate, and B12. The amount is best reserved for confirmed or professionally assessed iron needs.
How scoring works
Quantity:180 Tablet(s) • (180 servings)
Goals:
Hair Health
Energy
Productivity Boost

Score 87

A focused, high-value iron bisglycinate formula with useful vitamin C, folate, and B12. The amount is best reserved for confirmed or professionally assessed iron needs.
How scoring works
$12.42($0.06 per serving)
iHerb
$ 12.42
Pure Formulas
$ 12.59
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Analysis

Iron bisglycinate is the clear strength because it is generally well absorbed and often gentler than ferrous sulfate. Vitamin C supports absorption, while folate and vitamin B12 address related blood-building nutrients.

The iron amount is substantial and well aligned with correcting a meaningful intake gap under guidance. Folic acid and cyanocobalamin are functional but less preferred than active forms.

The single-tablet design and long supply offer practical value. Users without a demonstrated need should not take a high-iron product simply for general energy or hair support.

Who is it for
  • Adults with a demonstrated need for supplemental iron
  • People seeking a gentler chelated form
  • Users wanting iron with vitamin C and B vitamins
Best for
  • Iron supplementation
  • Support for low iron intake
  • Focused one-tablet routines

Pros

  • Uses Ferrochel iron bisglycinate
  • Includes vitamin C
  • Long supply at low serving cost

Cons

  • High iron is unnecessary for many users
  • Uses folic acid
  • Uses cyanocobalamin

Warnings

  • Iron may cause nausea, constipation, or dark stools even in a chelated form.
  • Accidental iron overdose is dangerous, so store the bottle securely away from children.
  • Iron can reduce absorption of thyroid medicines and some antibiotics when taken too close together.

Nutrient quality

87 Highest impact

Chelated iron with vitamin C provides a well-aligned, meaningful core for restoring low iron intake. Basic folate and vitamin B12 forms reduce refinement, while the iron amount is inappropriate for casual use without need.

Ingredient transparency

88 Highest impact

All four active ingredients have clear amounts and no blend hides the formula. The complete tablet excipients and intake timing are not supplied.

Customer satisfaction

76 High impact

The very strong average rating is supported by a substantial review base. No review excerpts describe tolerance, ease of use, or repeated complaints, so those experiences remain uncertain.

Value for money

97 Highest impact

A very long supply and premium iron form provide excellent value. The focused formula avoids low-value extras, though it should only be used when the iron amount is appropriate.

Report analysis

Goals

Hair Health
Hair Health
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA Strength of SupportB CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Iron · 27 mgVitamin C · 60 mg

Chelated iron directly addresses low iron stores, a well-established contributor to diffuse shedding. Vitamin C supports iron absorption, while folate and vitamin B12 add complementary blood-cell support.

The iron amount is substantial and the bisglycinate form is well suited to absorption and tolerance. Unneeded iron can cause digestive effects or iron overload, so use should follow confirmed deficiency or specific medical guidance.

Study evidence
Folate Mixed 15 studies
Iron Disputed 25 studies
Vitamin C Mixed 5 studies
Energy
Energy
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA- Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Vitamin B12 · 25 mcgIron · 27 mg

Chelated iron directly supports oxygen transport when iron status is low, while vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 support absorption and red blood cell production. The iron amount is meaningful and the bisglycinate form is a strong, well-tolerated choice.

Energy benefits are most likely for someone with an identified iron need rather than a person with normal iron stores. Unneeded iron can cause digestive effects and accumulate over time, and the tablets should be kept away from children because accidental overdose is dangerous.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 74 studies
Productivity Boost
Productivity Boost
Impact
High effect
C- Goal FitA Strength of SupportC- CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Iron · 27 mgVitamin B12 · 25 mcgVitamin B12 · 25 mcg

Chelated iron with vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 may reduce mental fatigue when iron status is low. It is not expected to boost productivity when iron status is already adequate.

The Ferrochel form is well disclosed and supported by complementary nutrients. Unneeded iron can be harmful, so routine use is most appropriate when an iron need has been identified.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 69 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
 60 mg
Folate (Folic Acid)
 340 mcg
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
 25 mcg
Iron (Ferrochel Bis-Glycinate Chelate)
 27 mg
Adults 18–50 Vegan Vegetarian
Report overview
Iron (Ferrochel Bis-Glycinate Chelate) · 27 mg OverallScore96
A Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

Chelated Ferrochel iron offers a well-tolerated, absorbable form supported by vitamin C, folate, and B12. The effective iron amount is clearly disclosed and delivered in one tablet, though a hard tablet may be less gentle than a capsule or liquid. The large supply and low serving cost provide excellent value.

View ingredientView products
Folate (Folic Acid) · 340 mcg OverallScore38
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityD+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyC Value

The formula uses synthetic folic acid rather than a body-ready methylfolate form, which limits active-form quality. Its listed amount is modest and the label does not clarify dietary folate equivalents. Included vitamin B12 supports safer folate use, while the low serving cost suits the basic ingredient form.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
88 Performance

Gentle Iron 28 mg

Nature's Bounty
<p>Ferrous bisglycinate with vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 closely matches the original while using a well-absorbed iron form. The meaningful iron amount still calls for a confirmed need.</p>
85 Performance

Iron Complex

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
<p>Ferrochel iron, vitamin C, methylcobalamin, folate, and histidine improve cofactor quality compared with the original’s basic folate and vitamin B12 forms. Substantial iron is inappropriate for normal iron status or iron-overload conditions.</p>
83 Performance

Iron Complex

NOW
<p>Chelated iron, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 preserve the original’s coherent blood-support design. Dong quai adds little and may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines.</p>
89 Budget

Iron 18 mg

NOW
<p>Iron bisglycinate supplies a clear, well-absorbed amount for less per serving than the original. It omits vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12, so it is a simpler option for users who only need iron.</p>
86 Budget

Albion Chelated Ferrochel Iron 18 mg

Swanson Ultra
<p>A well-defined Ferrochel iron form provides a useful amount at lower cost. The focused formula lacks the original’s supporting vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12.</p>
85 Budget

Iron 25 mg

Source Naturals
<p>An amino acid chelate offers a meaningful iron amount at lower cost in a focused tablet. The exact chelate and absorption cofactors are not identified, so it is less complete than the original.</p>
85 Value

Iron Ferrochel Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate 36 mg

California Gold Nutrition
<p>Ferrous bisglycinate provides a focused, economical iron option with clear dosing. The higher amount lacks supporting cofactors and should be used only for a demonstrated need.</p>
88 Value

Chelated Iron

Solgar
<p>A simple iron-bisglycinate formula offers favorable absorption and excellent value. It omits vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 but avoids unnecessary additions.</p>
88 Value

MegaFolinic 800 mcg

Source Naturals
<p>Active calcium folinate provides a stronger folate form at very low cost for users who need folate rather than iron. It is not an iron replacement and lacks vitamin B12, so prolonged high folate can hide an unrecognized B12 shortfall.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Large-dose intravenous ferric carboxymaltose injection for iron deficiency anemia in heavy uterine bleeding: a randomized, controlled trial.
    Van Wyck DB; Mangione A; Morrison J; Hadley PE; Jehle JA; Goodnough LT · Transfusion · 2010
    Randomized trial477 participantsEnergy forIron
  2. Clinical evaluation of iron treatment efficiency among non-anemic but iron-deficient female blood donors: a randomized controlled trial.
    Waldvogel S; Pedrazzini B; Vaucher P; Bize R; Cornuz J; Tissot JD; Favrat B · BMC medicine · 2012
    Randomized trial154 participantsEnergy forIron
  3. Iron plays a certain role in patterned hair loss.
    Park SY; Na SY; Kim JH; Cho S; Lee JH · Journal of Korean medical science · 2014
    Case-control study420 participantsHair Health forIron
  4. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to iron and maintenance of normal hair growth pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusHair Health forIron
  5. The Effect of Parenteral or Oral Iron Supplementation on Fatigue, Sleep, Quality of Life and Restless Legs Syndrome in Iron-Deficient Blood Donors: A Secondary Analysis of the IronWoMan RCT.
    Macher S; Herster C; Holter M; Moritz M; Matzhold EM; Stojakovic T; Pieber TR; Schlenke P; Drexler C; Amrein K · Nutrients · 2021
    Randomized trial176 participantsEnergy forIron
  6. Ferric carboxymaltose vs. oral iron in the treatment of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia: an international, open-label, randomized controlled trial (FER-ASAP).
    Breymann C; Milman N; Mezzacasa A; Bernard R; Dudenhausen J; FER-ASAP investigators · Journal of perinatal medicine · 2018
    Randomized trial252 participantsEnergy forIron
  7. Effect of iron therapy on fatigue symptoms in non-anaemic iron deficient women of reproductive age- A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Sultana N; Bajwa FA; Sikandar MZ; Haider MM; Majeed T · JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association · 2026
    Randomized trial164 participantsEnergy forIron
  8. Intravenous iron isomaltoside treatment of women suffering from severe fatigue after postpartum hemorrhage.
    Holm C; Thomsen LL; Langhoff-Roos J · The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians · 2019
    Randomized trial85 participantsEnergy forIron
  9. Hair Loss After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
    Zhang W; Fan M; Wang C; Mahawar K; Parmar C; Chen W; Yang W; Global Bariatric Research Collaborative · Obesity surgery · 2021
    Meta-analysis2,538 participants18 studies pooledHair Health forFolate
  10. Quantitative Analysis of Selected Circulating Hematological Biomarkers, Essential Minerals, Vitamins, and Thyroid Hormones in Females Affected by Hair Loss.
    Al-Fawaeir S; Al-Odat I · Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Case-control study200 participantsHair Health forFolate
  11. Twelve weeks of protracted venous infusion of fluorouracil (5-FU) is as effective as 6 months of bolus 5-FU and folinic acid as adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer.
    Saini A; Norman AR; Cunningham D; Chau I; Hill M; Tait D; Hickish T; Iveson T; Lofts F; Jodrell D; Ross PJ; Oates J · British journal of cancer · 2003
    Randomized trialHair Health forFolate
  12. Role of oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in the first- and second-line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
    Jonker D; Rumble RB; Maroun J; Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Groupof Cancer Care Ontario’s Program in Evidence-Based Care · Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2012
    Randomized trialHair Health forFolate
  13. Phase I-II study of vinorelbine in combination with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer: a regimen with a low subjective toxic burden.
    Nolè F; de Braud F; Aapro M; Minchella I; De Pas TM; Zampino MG; Monti S; Andreoni G; Goldhirsch A · Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 1997
    Randomized trialHair Health forFolate
  14. The Association Between Alopecia Areata and Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Large-Scale Population-Based Case-Control Study.
    Davidovici B; Drutin Y; Ben-Tov A; Mimouni D; Wohl Y · Journal of personalized medicine · 2026
    Case-control study100,203 participantsHair Health forIron
  15. Iron Deficiency and Nonscarring Alopecia in Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Treister-Goltzman Y; Yarza S; Peleg R · Skin appendage disorders · 2022
    Meta-analysis10,029 participants36 studies pooledHair Health forIron
  16. Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Hair Loss and Micronutrient Deficiencies After One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy.
    Chinisaz F; Maleki T; Najjari K; Miratashi Yazdi SA · Obesity surgery · 2026
    Cohort study261 participantsHair Health forIron
  17. Assessment of Serum Ferritin Levels in Female Patients With Telogen Effluvium.
    Thamotharan N; Harikumar MV; Sundaram M; Swaminathan A; Rangarajan S · Cureus · 2026
    Cross-sectional study100 participantsHair Health forIron
  18. Diagnosis and treatment of female alopecia: Focusing on the iron deficiency-related alopecia.
    Lin CS; Chan LY; Wang JH; Chang CH · Tzu chi medical journal · 2023
    Cohort study155 participantsHair Health forIron
  19. Management of hair loss associated with endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer: an overview.
    Karatas F; Sahin S; Sever AR; Altundag K · SpringerPlus · 2016
    Narrative reviewHair Health forVitamin C
  20. Elucidating causal relationships of diet-derived circulating antioxidants and the risk of non-scarring alopecia: A Mendelian randomization study.
    Ba Y; Shen L; Peng X; Zhang Y; Wang J · Medicine · 2024
    Methods validation study201,019 participantsHair Health forVitamin C
  21. Alterations of plasma antioxidants and mitochondrial DNA mutation in hair follicles of smokers.
    Liu CS; Chen HW; Lii CK; Tsai CS; Kuo CL; Wei YH · Environmental and molecular mutagenesis · 2002
    Observational studyHair Health forVitamin C
  22. Removal of synthetic hair dye using formamidine sulfinic acid and other sulfinate precursors.
    Hawkes JA; Lewis DM; Mama J; Murray J · International journal of cosmetic science · 2026
    Methods validation studyHair Health forVitamin C
  23. A Zinc Sulphate-Resistant Acrodermatitis Enteropathica Patient with a Novel Mutation in SLC39A4 Gene.
    Kilic M; Taskesen M; Coskun T; Gürakan F; Tokatli A; Sivri HS; Dursun A; Schmitt S; Küry S · JIMD reports · 2013
    Case reportHair Health forVitamin C
  24. Effects of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Low M; Farrell A; Biggs BA; Pasricha SR · CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2014
    Meta-analysis7,089 participants32 studies pooledProductivity Boost forIron
  25. Consumption of Iron-Biofortified Beans Positively Affects Cognitive Performance in 18- to 27-Year-Old Rwandan Female College Students in an 18-Week Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial.
    Murray-Kolb LE; Wenger MJ; Scott SP; Rhoten SE; Lung'aho MG; Haas JD · The Journal of nutrition · 2017
    Randomized trial150 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  26. Functional consequences of iron supplementation in iron-deficient female cotton mill workers in Beijing, China.
    Li R; Chen X; Yan H; Deurenberg P; Garby L; Hautvast JG · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1994
    Randomized trial80 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  27. The Effect of Iron-Fortified Lentils on Blood and Cognitive Status among Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh.
    Barnett AL; Wenger MJ; Yunus FM; Jalal C; DellaValle DM · Nutrients · 2023
    Randomized trial359 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  28. Daily iron supplementation for improving anaemia, iron status and health in menstruating women.
    Low MS; Speedy J; Styles CE; De-Regil LM; Pasricha SR · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016
    Meta-analysis8,506 participants67 studies pooledProductivity Boost forIron