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Slow Release Iron

4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(18674 ratings)
Iron 45 mg
Product Image
Score76
A tablet that provides 45 mg of iron and is best matched to a demonstrated need. The high amount and digestive risk make casual use a poor fit.
How scoring works
Tablet
Quantity:60 Tablet(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Energy
Productivity Boost
Hair Health

Score 76

A tablet that provides 45 mg of iron and is best matched to a demonstrated need. The high amount and digestive risk make casual use a poor fit.
How scoring works
$4.99($0.08 per serving)
iHerb
$ 4.99
Pure Formulas
$ 5.37
Amazon
$ 4.99
Walmart
$ 9.57
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Analysis

The 45 mg serving uses slow-release dried ferrous sulfate, a high-potency form whose slow release may improve comfort but can trade against uptake. The formula includes calcium but no vitamin C, folate, or vitamin B12.

Iron may support energy, concentration, and reduced shedding when low iron status is the underlying issue. It is not a general energy, productivity, or hair aid for people whose iron stores are already adequate.

The 45 mg amount is high and better suited to a confirmed need with professional direction. Digestive effects and excess accumulation are meaningful concerns despite the excellent serving value.

Who is it for
  • adults with a demonstrated need for 45 mg of supplemental iron
  • People whose diet or laboratory results indicate low iron
  • People who prefer a tablet
Best for
  • Clinician-directed high-potency iron support
  • Need-based iron intake
  • Budget-conscious long-term supply

Pros

  • Clearly states 45 mg of iron
  • slow-release dried ferrous sulfate is explicitly identified
  • Very low serving cost

Cons

  • The formula includes calcium but no vitamin C, folate, or vitamin B12.
  • Iron source is a high-potency form whose slow release may improve comfort but can trade against uptake
  • No broad pathway coverage beyond iron

Warnings

  • Use the 45 mg iron serving only when iron status or increased need supports supplementation.
  • The high iron amount raises the chance of nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and excess accumulation.
  • Keep the iron supplement securely away from children because accidental overdose can be dangerous.

Nutrient quality

62 Moderate impact

Slow release may improve comfort, though ferrous sulfate remains a less gentle form and delayed release may reduce absorption. The high iron amount may support repletion but is more aggressive than routine maintenance needs.

Ingredient transparency

82 Highest impact

Listed active ingredients have stated amounts, and no proprietary blend hides a combined total. Complete intake directions and inactive ingredients are not supplied, while the iron compound and supporting nutrient names are specific and understandable.

Customer satisfaction

74 High impact

The average rating is good, and the review count is very large. No review text is supplied to assess recurring complaints or purpose-specific experience.

Value for money

85 Highest impact

Slow release adds convenience at low cost, though the sulfate form limits quality. The serving is inexpensive for a high iron amount.

Report analysis

Goals

Energy
Energy
Impact
High effect
A Goal FitC- Strength of SupportD CoverageA- Formula Quality
Iron · 45 mg

Iron directly supports oxygen transport and can reduce fatigue when iron deficiency is present. The 45 mg slow-release amount is a treatment-level serving rather than routine energy support.

Ferrous sulfate can cause constipation, nausea, or abdominal discomfort despite the slow-release design. Accidental iron overdose is dangerous, especially for children, so secure storage and need-based use are important.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 74 studies
Productivity Boost
Productivity Boost
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD CoverageA- Formula Quality
Iron · 45 mg

A high iron amount may reduce fatigue and mental fog when iron deficiency is the cause. It is unlikely to improve focus in someone whose iron status is already adequate.

Slow release may improve tolerance, but dried ferrous sulfate is not a premium iron form and the formula lacks vitamin C. The 45 mg iron amount may cause constipation, nausea, or stomach pain and is unsuitable for casual use without a clear need.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 69 studies
Hair Health
Hair Health
Impact
High effect
A- Goal FitC+ Strength of SupportF CoverageC+ Formula Quality
Iron · 45 mg

Slow-release iron may support reduced shedding when confirmed low iron stores are the cause. The 45 mg dose is substantial, but ferrous sulfate remains a relatively harsh form and slow release may trade some absorption for tolerability.

The tablet targets only iron-related hair loss and omits vitamin C, folate, B12, and other hair pathways. Its high iron amount can cause constipation, nausea, and harmful excess, so it is better suited to a documented need than routine hair supplementation.

Study evidence
Iron Disputed 25 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Calcium (Calcium Carbonate)
 31 mg
Iron (dried Ferrous Sulfate)
 45 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Report overview
Iron (dried Ferrous Sulfate) · 45 mg OverallScore77
D- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

The slow-release tablet may improve digestive comfort, but dried ferrous sulfate is a less absorbable and often harsher iron form. The clearly labeled dose is substantial and fits the effective range, while the formula lacks vitamin C and blood-forming vitamin cofactors. One tablet supplies the full serving at excellent value.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
88 Performance

Gentle Iron 28 mg

Nature's Bounty
<p>Ferrous bisglycinate is paired coherently with vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 for absorption and blood-building support. Compared with the original aggressive dose, the chelated form and supportive nutrients provide a more balanced option, though the needed amount should follow confirmed iron status.</p>
87 Performance

Vegan True Iron Support

Source Naturals
<p>Iron bisglycinate, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 create a focused formula with clearly disclosed active amounts. Compared with the original aggressive dose, the chelated form and supportive nutrients provide a more balanced option, though the needed amount should follow confirmed iron status.</p>
85 Performance

Iron Complex

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
<p>Ferrochel iron, vitamin C, methylcobalamin, folate, and histidine form a well-specified formula for confirmed iron need. Compared with the original aggressive dose, the chelated form and supportive nutrients provide a more balanced option, though the needed amount should follow confirmed iron status.</p>
89 Budget

Iron 18 mg

NOW
<p>Iron bisglycinate provides a well-absorbed, generally gentle form at a useful maintenance amount with clear dosing. Compared with the original treatment-level amount, the lower chelated dose may be gentler and better suited to many confirmed needs while remaining economical.</p>
86 Budget

Albion Chelated Ferrochel Iron 18 mg

Swanson Ultra
<p>TRAACS Ferrochel supplies a well-defined chelated form at a useful lower-end amount in a clean formula. Compared with the original treatment-level amount, the lower chelated dose may be gentler and better suited to many confirmed needs while remaining economical.</p>
89 Budget

Chelated Iron 27 mg

Carlson
<p>Iron bisglycinate provides a well-absorbed, generally gentle form at a meaningful targeted amount. Compared with the original treatment-level amount, the lower chelated dose may be gentler and better suited to many confirmed needs while remaining economical.</p>
88 Value

Chelated Iron

Solgar
<p>Iron bisglycinate provides a well-absorbed, generally gentle form in a simple focused capsule. Compared with the original high-dose formula, the chelated form offers a gentler value option, but dose selection still requires a demonstrated need.</p>
88 Value

Chelated Iron 27 mg

Carlson
<p>Iron bisglycinate provides a clearly disclosed, generally gentle form at a useful targeted amount. Compared with the original high-dose formula, the chelated form offers a gentler value option, but dose selection still requires a demonstrated need.</p>
83 Value

Iron Complex

NOW
<p>Chelated iron, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 form a coherent formula, though dong quai may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines. Compared with the original high-dose formula, the chelated form offers a gentler value option, but dose selection still requires a demonstrated need.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Intravenous iron for the treatment of fatigue in nonanemic, premenopausal women with low serum ferritin concentration.
    Krayenbuehl PA; Battegay E; Breymann C; Furrer J; Schulthess G · Blood · 2011
    Randomized trial90 participantsEnergy forIron
  4. 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
  5. Maternal Fatigue after Postpartum Anemia Treatment with Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose vs. Intravenous Ferric Derisomaltose vs. Oral Ferrous Sulphate: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Bombač Tavčar L; Hrobat H; Gornik L; Preložnik Zupan I; Vidmar Šimic M; Pečlin P; Kavšek G; Lučovnik M · Journal of clinical medicine · 2024
    Randomized trial300 participantsEnergy forIron
  6. Iron deficiency, general health and fatigue: results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.
    Patterson AJ; Brown WJ; Powers JR; Roberts DC · Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2001
    Cohort studyEnergy forIron
  7. Iron-deficiency anaemia and its effect on worker productivity and activity patterns.
    Edgerton VR; Gardner GW; Ohira Y; Gunawardena KA; Senewiratne B · British medical journal · 1980
    Non-randomized trialProductivity Boost forIron
  8. 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
  9. Cognitive Performance in Indian School-Going Adolescents Is Positively Affected by Consumption of Iron-Biofortified Pearl Millet: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial.
    Scott SP; Murray-Kolb LE; Wenger MJ; Udipi SA; Ghugre PS; Boy E; Haas JD · The Journal of nutrition · 2019
    Randomized trial140 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  10. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of iron supplementation in female soldiers during military training: effects on iron status, physical performance, and mood.
    McClung JP; Karl JP; Cable SJ; Williams KW; Nindl BC; Young AJ; Lieberman HR · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2009
    Randomized trial219 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  11. Iron Status, Anemia, and Iron Interventions and Their Associations with Cognitive and Academic Performance in Adolescents: A Systematic Review.
    Samson KLI; Fischer JAJ; Roche ML · Nutrients · 2022
    Systematic review50 studies pooledProductivity Boost forIron
  12. Efficacy of iron and/or zinc supplementation on cognitive performance of lead-exposed Mexican schoolchildren: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
    Rico JA; Kordas K; López P; Rosado JL; Vargas GG; Ronquillo D; Stoltzfus RJ · Pediatrics · 2006
    Randomized trial602 participantsProductivity Boost forIron
  13. The impact of brain iron accumulation on cognition: A systematic review.
    Spence H; McNeil CJ; Waiter GD · PloS one · 2020
    Systematic review41 studies pooledProductivity Boost forIron
  14. 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
  15. Iron status in diffuse telogen hair loss among women.
    Moeinvaziri M; Mansoori P; Holakooee K; Safaee Naraghi Z; Abbasi A · Acta dermatovenerologica Croatica : ADC · 2010
    Case-control study60 participantsHair Health forIron
  16. Low iron stores: a risk factor for excessive hair loss in non-menopausal women.
    Deloche C; Bastien P; Chadoutaud S; Galan P; Bertrais S; Hercberg S; de Lacharrière O · European journal of dermatology : EJD · 2008
    Cross-sectional study5,110 participantsHair Health forIron
  17. A Hospital-based Study to Determine Causes of Diffuse Hair Loss in Women.
    Malkud S · Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR · 2015
    Observational study180 participantsHair Health forIron
  18. 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
  19. 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 forIron
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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