Anemia is often the last stage of iron deficiency. An iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. Most of the body’s reserves of iron are stored in the liver. Consider working on improved liver function.

Ideally, supplementary iron should be taken by itself or with vitamin C between meals for maximum absorption. Calcium, particularly calcium phosphate, zinc, and antacids interfere with the absorbability of iron and should be taken separately. Available iron supplements include ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate and carbonyl iron, also know as micronized elemental iron. Carbonyl iron is a good delivery form of iron but requires hydrochloric acid for its absorption and therefore needs to be taken with meals. Other iron supplements are best absorbed on an empty stomach. Excess iron has been linked to cancer.
Chelated Iron contains the mineral already bound to amino acids for improved assimilation.




A deficiency of iron may contribute to hypochromic anemia or microcytic anemia.
It may be best to take others minerals, especially calcium and zinc which reduce iron absorption, at a different time than your separate iron supplement. You need adequate stomach acid to assimilate iron. Do not use iron supplements if anemia is thaltassemia, a hereditary form common in Mediterranean and Southeast Asia populations.

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