Iron deficiency anemia occurs when low iron levels reduce hemoglobin production, leading to fatigue and more.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Updated Jun. 23rd, 2026 | Read Time: 4 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Long-Term Iron Deficiency and Anemia
- Causes and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency and Anemia
- Pernicious Anemia vs Iron Deficiency Anemia
- What Are the Treatment Options for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
- How Long Does It Take for Iron Supplements to Work?
- What Are the Best Iron Supplements for Iron Deficiency?
- Reader Comments (4)
Did you know that iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world? Indeed, it is; therefore, in this post, we will explore what happens to your body when you are deficient in iron, why anemia happens, and the challenges you may experience in absorbing iron from food or supplements. Finally, we'll talk about some things you can do to prevent and reverse iron deficiency and anemia naturally and not just be apart of the statistic.
Long-Term Iron Deficiency and Anemia
As previously mentioned, iron is the largest nutrient deficiency amongst the population, if left untreated it can result in anemia which occurs when your body doesn’t have sufficient amounts of iron to produce enough hemoglobin. This results in your body becoming unable to get oxygen where it needs to.
Some of the most common symptoms of anemia include weakness, tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and/or cold hands and feet. So why does this happen? In the next section, we will cover the causes and symptoms of anemia.
Causes and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency and Anemia
Here are some things that may cause you to have an iron deficiency or anemia:
Diet: Consuming a lot of low iron foods or not being able to properly absorb the iron from the foods you eat can lead to anemia or an iron deficiency. It's worth pointing out that plant-based forms of iron are not as well absorbed as animal forms; therefore, vegans and vegetarians are particularly susceptible to deficiency.
Poor absorption: Some digestive conditions, including celiac disease, can reduce your body's ability to absorb iron from food. Iron is absorbed in your small intestine, which is where your body will become damaged as a result of celiac disease.
Increased demand for iron: Menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or rapid growth in children can increase the body's demand for iron. Athletes are also at a greater risk of developing iron deficiency.
Pernicious Anemia vs Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Pernicious Anemia: happens when you can’t absorb sufficient amounts of B12 from your diet.
- Iron Deficiency Anemia: occurs when there is a lack of iron present in your body.
What Are the Treatment Options for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
The good news is that iron deficiency anemia can be reversed through a few lifestyle factors. Natural treatment options may include:
Iron Supplements: Iron supplements are the most effective way to turn around an iron deficiency and anemia. Choosing the right form of iron will depend on a few factors, which we will cover in the next section.
Diet: Consuming a diet full of iron-rich foods can also help to replenish the body's iron stores. Iron rich foods can range from meat sources like red meat and poultry or fish and even plant-based foods such as tofu, lentils, and seeds. Another tip is to pair these foods with food rich in vitamin C like citrus based foods, bell peppers and parsley. It is worth pointing out; that if you have a severe iron deficiency or are anemic, eating iron-rich foods is not enough to reverse your deficiency/anemia; you will need to take an iron supplement.
Treating Underlying Causes: If your iron deficiency anemia is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as celiac disease, treating the underlying cause may be necessary to improve iron absorption and alleviate anemia.
How Long Does It Take for Iron Supplements to Work?
It's important to point out that iron supplements won't turn iron deficiency/anemia around overnight. It can often take weeks, if not months, to feel and see results.
What Are the Best Iron Supplements for Iron Deficiency?
There are lots of different types of iron supplements available. Many iron supplements have a reputation for being hard on the digestive system. In other words, many iron supplements can cause unpleasant side effects like constipation or nausea. This is because iron supplements are not well absorbed.
Iron bisglycinate is a gentle and effective way to reverse an iron deficiency or iron related anemia while being gentle on your stomach. Naturopathic Labs Iron Bisglycinate provides 25mg of elemental iron per capsule for superior absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. It is the ideal iron supplement for pregnant women or those with anemia, a compromised immune system or malabsorption syndrome.
Liquid iron supplements like Floradix combine highly absorbable and pre-digested iron with energizing B vitamins, iron-rich herbs, and vitamin C for better iron absorption. Liquid iron supplements like Floradix are your best bet for children and adolescents due to their gentleness.
Heme iron is one of two types of iron. It is sourced from animals and is better absorbed than the plant-based iron forms. This is especially important if you are severely iron deficient or anemic. Heme iron is the preferred form to create hemoglobin. If you've been reading this far, you already know that hemoglobin is a protein found in your red blood cells, and it's needed to move oxygen throughout your body. Finally, many heme iron supplements also contain "helper" nutrients like vitamin C and B12, which together, help your body absorb iron and make red blood cells.
If you still have questions, we'd love to chat with you. Visit us in-store or online where one of our qualified staff nutritionists would be happy to talk with you and help you find the right natural solution for your iron deficiency.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4836595/
It's great that you break things down for clarity and to help people get their health back in order as quickly as possible, for example:
1-Differentiating vitamin B12 deficiency versus iron deficiency induced behavior great as many people only think of iron when it comes to anemia and B12 deficiency is a more common concern
2-Clearly differentiating between and comparing the different forms and types of iron
Thank you for such a great article! I am very excited to read and learn more :)
Hello Rachel,
Indeed, anemia isn't just from iron deficiency, but more so from a vitamin b12 deficiency. B12 is difficult for the body to both absorb and retain; therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms of anemia but your iron levels come back in a healthy range, you may consider taking a b12 supplement. If you'd like to learn more about vitamin b12 and its available forms, you can read this article, https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/supplement-articles-vitamin-b-12/
Stay healthy & well
Iron Bisglycinate is the form I like to take as it is a gentle and effective way to get my iron intake while being gentle on the stomach. Iron Bisglycinate provides enough elemental iron per capsule for the absorption I need without the gastrointestinal effect. I take this form because it is bound to an amino acid called glycine. Iron bisglycinate is enhanced with the absorption of Vitamin C. But never take calcium, magnesium or zinc at the same time as iron. I avoid food with iron supplements.
Hello Kaveh,
The bisglycinate form of supplements are great for bioavailability. Iron supplements do often cause gastro upset or constipation so when you find one that doesn't have this side effect and provides the results you're looking for, it's great to stick with it.