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Gentle Iron 28 mg

Nature's Bounty
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(13907 ratings)
Iron 28 mg
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Score88
A well-designed iron formula pairing 28 mg bisglycinate with vitamin C, folate, and B12 at strong value.
How scoring works
Quantity:90 Capsule(s) • (90 servings)
Goals:
Energy
Hair Health
Productivity Boost

Score 88

A well-designed iron formula pairing 28 mg bisglycinate with vitamin C, folate, and B12 at strong value.
How scoring works
$9.00($0.10 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 9.79
iHerb
$ 9.00
Walmart
$ 10.45
Amazon
$ 27.90
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Analysis

Ferrous bisglycinate supplies 28 mg of iron, a meaningful amount for correcting low status under appropriate guidance. The chelated form is a key strength for users who have struggled with conventional ferrous salts.

Vitamin C supports iron absorption, while folate and vitamin B12 cover additional blood-cell pathways. Cyanocobalamin is a basic B12 form, but the combination remains coherent and fully quantified.

The capsule count and low serving cost provide strong practical value. Despite the gentle positioning, the amount is substantial enough that iron status and ongoing need should be reviewed.

Who is it for
  • Adults with confirmed low iron
  • People seeking a gentler chelated iron formula
Best for
  • Deficiency-focused iron support
  • Combining iron with blood-cell cofactors

Pros

  • 28 mg ferrous bisglycinate
  • Includes vitamin C
  • Provides folate and vitamin B12
  • Strong value per serving

Cons

  • Dose may be more than maintenance requires
  • Uses cyanocobalamin
  • Still may cause digestive effects
  • Not appropriate without an iron need

Warnings

  • Use the 28 mg iron amount for a demonstrated need because excess can accumulate in iron-overload disorders.
  • Iron can interfere with levothyroxine and tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics; separate dosing appropriately.
  • Keep capsules away from children because accidental iron ingestion is dangerous.

Nutrient quality

95 Highest impact

Premium chelated iron and relevant cofactors provide strong form and dose quality. The formula remains focused without an excessive iron amount.

Ingredient transparency

86 Highest impact

Every listed active has a specific amount and no proprietary blend hides the formula. Missing complete directions and non-active capsule ingredients are the main disclosure gaps.

Customer satisfaction

73 High impact

The supplied average is very strong and supported by extensive response volume. No comment-level evidence is available to assess repeated complaints or alignment with the intended use.

Value for money

97 Highest impact

Premium iron form, relevant cofactors, and low serving cost provide strong effective value. The focused design compares well with simpler iron products.

Report analysis

Goals

Energy
Energy
Impact
Highest effect
A+ Goal FitA+ Strength of SupportB CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Vitamin B12 · 8 mcgIron · 28 mg

Iron directly supports oxygen transport and can improve fatigue when iron deficiency is present. Human evidence strongly supports iron for deficiency-related fatigue, but not for people with adequate iron status.

The iron amount is within an effective range and is supported by vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12. Ferrous bisglycinate is a well-absorbed disclosed form with good digestive tolerance.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 74 studies
Hair Health
Hair Health
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Iron · 28 mgVitamin C · 60 mg

Chelated iron directly addresses low ferritin, a major nutrition-related cause of diffuse hair shedding. Evidence strongly supports correcting iron deficiency, while extra iron is unlikely to improve hair when iron status is adequate.

The 28 mg iron amount is substantial and is paired with vitamin C, folate, and B12. Vitamin C, folate, and B12 form a logical support system, but 28 mg of iron can cause digestive effects and should be used for a demonstrated or likely need.

Study evidence
Folate Mixed 15 studies
Iron Disputed 25 studies
Vitamin C Mixed 5 studies
Productivity Boost
Productivity Boost
Impact
Highest effect
B- Goal FitA Strength of SupportB- CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Iron · 28 mgVitamin B12 · 8 mcgVitamin B12 · 8 mcg

Well-absorbed iron may reduce fatigue and brain fog when iron deficiency is present, supported by vitamin C and red-blood-cell cofactors. It is not a general productivity enhancer for people with adequate iron status.

The formula is clearly disclosed and logically supports iron absorption and blood formation. The substantial iron amount can cause nausea or constipation and should not be used for productivity without a demonstrated need because excess iron can be harmful.

Study evidence
Iron Supportive 69 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
 60 mg
Folate
667 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
 8 mcg
Iron (Ferrous Bis-Glycinate)
 28 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free Sugar Free
Report overview
Iron (Ferrous Bis-Glycinate) · 28 mg OverallScore98
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

Ferrous bisglycinate provides a well-absorbed, generally gentle form at an effective 28 mg dose. Vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12 support absorption and red blood cell nutrition. A single capsule and low serving cost make the formula practical without adding competing minerals.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
85 Performance

Iron Complex

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
Ferrochel iron is paired with vitamin C, methylcobalamin, folic acid, and histidine, giving broader disclosed support for energy and hair goals. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 28 mg. The added nutrients make it less minimal than a single-ingredient iron product.
87 Performance

Vegan True Iron Support

Source Naturals
Ferrochel bisglycinate iron is combined with vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B12, with strong iron and energy alignment. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 28 mg. Cyanocobalamin and folic acid are clearly listed, although other forms may be preferred by some users.
86 Performance

Chelated Iron 18 mg

Bluebonnet
The concise formula uses a clearly identified ferrous bisglycinate chelate and avoids unrelated active ingredients. Its iron amount is lower than the original’s 28 mg. The simpler amount may suit users who do not need a higher-dose or multi-ingredient formula.
77 Budget

Iron 65 mg

Nature Made
The lower serving cost provides a clearly identified ferrous sulfate form. Its iron amount is higher than the original’s 28 mg. The single-active formula leaves out the original’s other listed ingredients.
85 Budget

Iron 25 mg

Source Naturals
The lower serving cost provides iron as an explicitly named amino acid chelate. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 28 mg. The single-active formula leaves out the original’s other listed ingredients.
85 Budget

Iron Ferrochel Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate 36 mg

California Gold Nutrition
The lower serving cost provides iron as a clearly identified Ferrochel ferrous bisglycinate chelate. Its iron amount is higher than the original’s 28 mg. The single-active formula leaves out the original’s other listed ingredients.
86 Value

High Absorption Iron with Ferrochel 27 mg

Doctor's Best
The lower serving cost provides a focused Ferrochel iron formula with favorable iron and hair-goal alignment. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 28 mg. The single-active formula leaves out the original’s other listed ingredients.
80 Value

Iron 27 mg

21st Century
The lower serving cost provides ferrous gluconate iron with a disclosed calcium amount. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 28 mg. The added calcium makes it less minimal than a single-ingredient iron option.
78 Value

Prenatal Multivitamin/Multimineral with Folate

Spring Valley
The lower serving cost provides iron alongside folate, vitamin C, vitamin D3, zinc, and other prenatal nutrients. Its iron amount stays close to the original’s 28 mg. The iron form is not supplied, and the prenatal focus may be unnecessary for someone seeking iron alone.
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. 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. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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