Iron deficiency anemia
Supplements studied for iron deficiency anemia.
Overview
Iron deficiency anemia has strong evidence for its namesake supplement. Iron (DEX Score 88; high effect size, very high evidence, very high trust; 25 studies) effectively treats and prevents anemia across ages, raising hemoglobin over weeks though full iron repletion may take months. Alternate-day dosing may improve absorption and tolerability versus daily use.
Vitamin A (DEX Score 52; low effect size, high evidence, medium trust; 4 studies) and Taurine (DEX Score 44; low effect size, low evidence, medium trust; 1 study) have uncertain or adjunctive roles—vitamin A may help iron markers in some groups but not when added to iron and folate in pregnancy; taurine plus iron improved hemoglobin in one small women's trial.
See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
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