Liposomal Iron

1. Anemia

Iron supplementation is helpful for anemiacaused by iron deficiency. There are several different causes of anemia, but iron deficiency is the most common. Anemia results when iron deficiency progresses to the point where it causes low levels of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells).

Iron deficiency can lead to arrhythmias, a heart murmur, an enlarged heart, and heart failure if left untreated. Iron deficiency may also be associated with an increased risk of fibromyalgia.

Iron supplementation can improve iron levels and treat IDA. Daily iron supplementation has been shown to reduce the prevalence of anemia and low iron status in menstruating individuals.

2. Fatigue 

Iron may help manage unexplained fatigue, even in someone who isn’t anemic but has a low ferritin level (an indicator of iron stores). This is especially common in women during their reproductive years. Daily iron supplementation may reduce fatigue in people who have periods.

The authors of a 2018 review concluded that iron supplementation reduced fatigue in people with iron deficiency non-anemia (IDNA). They also noted that eating iron-rich foods or iron supplementation should be considered as a treatment option to improve symptoms of fatigue even without diagnosed anemia.

If you have low ferritin levels, iron supplements may improve fatigue and help increase your energy.

3. Athletic Performance

Iron is needed to make myoglobin, the protein that provides oxygen to the muscles. Many athletes may have inadequate iron intake from their diet to support performance.

However, athletes involved in endurance training, such as marathon running or endurance cycling events, can have inadequate iron levels. Additionally, being female or vegetarian can put an athlete at a higher risk for iron deficiency and anemia. Athletes should make sure their diet includes enough iron to support peak performance.

Daily iron supplementation in menstruating people helped improve exercise performance in one study. It has also been shown to improve maximal and submaximal exercise performance in iron-depleted, nonanemic women.

4. Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a health condition in which people have an uncontrollable urge to move their legs. This usually occurs at night and can disrupt sleep.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2019 concluded that iron supplementation improved the International Restless Leg Syndrome score (IRLSS) after four weeks.

5. Cognition             

Research shows that cognitive levels drop with iron deficiency. In fact, when iron levels in the blood drop, concentration and attentiveness are affected almost immediately. Restoring iron levels to a normal range can improve concentration and boost cognitive performance.

Cognitive impairments in people with iron deficiency include deficits in attention span, cognition, memory, and social behavior. Emotions may also be affected.

6. Hair Growth

Hair loss can be the result of an iron deficiency. There is some evidence that raising the storage of iron ferritin in people with iron deficiency may improve hair loss. This can be done through iron replacement therapy. However, more research is needed to better understand how iron and hair growth are related.

7. Immune Support

Several studies have investigated the role that iron plays in regulating the immune system on the cellular level, especially in the intestines. According to researchers, this may be why we have a weakened immune response with anemia.

Iron helps regulate and "quiet" the immune system when no infection is present. This helps the body avoid going into overdrive when an immune response is not warranted.

Iron deficiency may play a role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other immunological disorders. In fact, iron supplementation is commonly recommended for people with IBD.

8. Better Sleep

Iron deficiency has been associated with sleep disorders in adults and children, although iron levels are usually not tested when someone seeks medical help for sleep issues.

Researchers suggest that more research into the association is needed, but because the link is well established, iron levels should be tested and supplementation should be considered when a patient seeks help for troubles with sleep.

8. Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnant people and their babies are at risk for iron deficiency, especially before 24 weeks of gestation. Anemia in pregnant people has been associated with poorer outcomes for the baby, including low birth weight, prematurity, and intrauterine growth restriction. Gestational anemia is also associated with an increased risk of maternal illness.

For this reason, more iron is needed during pregnancy to supply the growing fetus and placenta and to increase the red cell count in the mother.

9. Improved Appearance

There is some limited evidence that iron can help improve skin tone and provide other cosmetic benefits, such as reducing dark circles and promoting better hair health. While these benefits lack significant clinical evidence, they may be a good incentive to make sure you are getting enough of the mineral in your diet or through supplements.