'
21st Century Iron
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 11 Researches
6
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 47 Reviews
8.2
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Iron  (as Dried Ferrous Sulfate)
45 mg
250%

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Iron supplements reduce donor deferral
Oral or parenteral iron supplementation to reduce deferral, iron deficiency and/or anaemia in blood donors.
Moderate quality evidence found
We assessed how iron supplementation impacts blood donors who may suffer from low iron levels. Our analysis included thirty studies with nearly 4,700 participants, focusing on the differences between those receiving iron and those who didn’t.

We found that iron supplements reduced the chances of donors being deferred due to low hemoglobin levels and helped elevate their hemoglobin and iron stores. However, we also noted more side effects, like constipation and nausea, among those taking iron.

These side effects hinder its widespread use, suggesting iron supplements should be targeted to at-risk individuals only.
Read More
8
Infant formula impacts stool consistency
Formula tolerance in postbreastfed and exclusively formula-fed infants.
Moderate relevance in formula guidelines
We evaluated how different infant formulas affect the stool characteristics of infants. Two clinical studies focused on infants transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to formula feeding and those already on formula.

Parents recorded each infant's feeding tolerance, spit-up occurrences, and stool characteristics during the trials. Our findings revealed that the composition of the formula impacts stool consistency.

Specifically, infants consuming formula A exhibited softer stools and more frequent bowel movements compared to those on formula B, which may help lessen concerns about constipation associated with iron-fortified options.
Read More
5
Constipation prevalence linked to iron
Constipation in pregnancy: prevalence, symptoms, and risk factors.
Moderate relevance to pregnancy health
We investigated the prevalence and contributing factors of constipation among healthy pregnant women over the course of their pregnancy. Our longitudinal study showed that constipation affects about 24% of women during various stages of pregnancy and even postpartum.

Notably, we found that iron supplementation was linked to a higher risk of constipation. This means that while iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy, it may also contribute to discomfort for some women.

These findings highlight the importance of monitoring bowel health as part of prenatal care.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9.5
Quick results observed
Good quality and great price. I was exhausted and found out I’m anaemic, needing iron pills. After trying several brands with side effects, I was sceptical about this cheaper option but found none. No bloating or constipation with these, which work well for me.
Read More
9.5
Gentle on stomach
An excellent alternative to Slow Fe. I have chronically low blood levels and was forced to try various alternatives when Slow Fe was discontinued. This product has been gentle on my stomach; I’ve had no constipation or issues at all in the three weeks of taking it, making it highly recommended.
Read More
0
Stomach upset
This product did not suit me. My husband and I switched from heme iron to try this time-release variant after reading reviews. I’ve only taken it for a short while but experienced stomach upset and constipation. I will return to heme iron due to my concerns over gastrointestinal side effects.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 11 Researches
6
  • All Researches
9
Iron supplements reduce donor deferral
Oral or parenteral iron supplementation to reduce deferral, iron deficiency and/or anaemia in blood donors.
Moderate quality evidence found
We assessed how iron supplementation impacts blood donors who may suffer from low iron levels. Our analysis included thirty studies with nearly 4,700 participants, focusing on the differences between those receiving iron and those who didn’t.

We found that iron supplements reduced the chances of donors being deferred due to low hemoglobin levels and helped elevate their hemoglobin and iron stores. However, we also noted more side effects, like constipation and nausea, among those taking iron.

These side effects hinder its widespread use, suggesting iron supplements should be targeted to at-risk individuals only.
Read More
8
Iron deficiency linked to constipation
Gastrointestinal symptoms are closely associated with depression in iron deficiency anemia: a comparative study.
High relevance for patient care
This study examined the connection between gastrointestinal issues, particularly constipation, and depression in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Conducted at Trakya University, the case-control study involved 125 IDA patients and 57 healthy individuals.

We found that IDA patients reported constipation significantly more often than the control group, with 56% experiencing this symptom. Additionally, their self-reported intensity of bloating and dyspepsia was notably higher, indicating a clear link between IDA, gastrointestinal discomfort, and potential mental health challenges.
Read More
8
Infant formula impacts stool consistency
Formula tolerance in postbreastfed and exclusively formula-fed infants.
Moderate relevance in formula guidelines
We evaluated how different infant formulas affect the stool characteristics of infants. Two clinical studies focused on infants transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to formula feeding and those already on formula.

Parents recorded each infant's feeding tolerance, spit-up occurrences, and stool characteristics during the trials. Our findings revealed that the composition of the formula impacts stool consistency.

Specifically, infants consuming formula A exhibited softer stools and more frequent bowel movements compared to those on formula B, which may help lessen concerns about constipation associated with iron-fortified options.
Read More
7
Iron's minimal effect on constipation
Low-Dose Prophylactic Oral Iron Supplementation (Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Bisglycinate, and Ferrous Sulphate) in Pregnancy Is Not Associated With Clinically Significant Gastrointestinal Complaints: Results From Two Randomized Studies.
Study explores iron and constipation
We explored the effects of low-dose iron supplementation on gastrointestinal complaints, particularly constipation, in pregnant women. Conducting two randomized studies, we aimed to determine how different forms of iron—ferrous fumarate, ferrous bisglycinate, and ferrous sulphate—would affect the frequency of GI issues among healthy women throughout their pregnancy.

Through our investigations, we found that constipation was only significantly associated with higher doses of ferrous fumarate (80 mg/day). Interestingly, women taking lower doses of ferrous fumarate (20-60 mg/day) did not report more GI side effects, indicating that manageable doses of iron may be tolerated without significant worry about constipation.

Among the iron formulas tested, ferrous bisglycinate at 25 mg showed the best profile, resulting in fewer GI complaints overall compared to the others. In fact, it was linked to a lower incidence of black stools, which can often be associated with iron intake. Ultimately, we observed that while low-dose iron supplementation might incur some side effects, they are generally not severe enough to warrant a change in dosage or interruption of treatment.
Read More
7
Lactoferrin aids iron-deficiency anemia
Lactoferrin as treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in children: a systematic review.
Study supports lactoferrin benefits
We carefully looked at the impact of lactoferrin (Lf) on treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children, especially focusing on its connection to constipation. In an extensive review of 11 studies, including 10 randomized controlled trials, we saw promising results where children receiving Lf showed notable improvements in their hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels compared to those who only received iron or a placebo.

Interestingly, we found that while some adverse effects like constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain were reported, those treated with Lf experienced a significant decrease in constipation. This suggests that Lf not only helps in boosting iron levels but may also be easier on the digestive system than traditional iron supplements.

Overall, our exploration indicates that incorporating lactoferrin in the treatment of IDA in children not only helps address anemia effectively but also might provide a gentler alternative for the gut. Users considering iron supplements for their children might find lactoferrin to be a beneficial option.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 47 Reviews
8.2
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9.5
Quick results observed
Good quality and great price. I was exhausted and found out I’m anaemic, needing iron pills. After trying several brands with side effects, I was sceptical about this cheaper option but found none. No bloating or constipation with these, which work well for me.
9.5
Gentle on stomach
An excellent alternative to Slow Fe. I have chronically low blood levels and was forced to try various alternatives when Slow Fe was discontinued. This product has been gentle on my stomach; I’ve had no constipation or issues at all in the three weeks of taking it, making it highly recommended.
Read More
0
Stomach upset
This product did not suit me. My husband and I switched from heme iron to try this time-release variant after reading reviews. I’ve only taken it for a short while but experienced stomach upset and constipation. I will return to heme iron due to my concerns over gastrointestinal side effects.
Read More
9.5
Increased energy noted
Working so far. I suffer from moderate anaemia and felt drained. After eight days, my energy has noticeably improved with no upset stomach or constipation. I had my blood drawn again and will see if there’s been a change. Please be patient with these pills as they take time to show results.
Read More
9.5
No constipation!
I’ve noticed improvements in my energy, especially during menstruation, and I’ve not experienced any constipation, unlike with other iron supplements. The small size of the tablets makes them easy to take.
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