Do You Need More Iron? Answering Your Iron Questions With Floradix

The folks behind Floradix have been using traditional herbal knowledge and modern scientific expertise for generations to provide convenient, safe, and effective herbal products to help people live healthier lives. Their liquid iron supplements are tried-and-true remedies made with the belief that nature provides what is needed to heal our bodies, minds, and spirits.

We spoke to Corey Schuler, Director of Medical Science & Product Innovation from the Floradix USA team, about what makes their iron supplements stand out from the numerous others on the market. Formulated using only natural, effective ingredients and infused with herbs that offer additional benefits, these supplements offer a daily dose of iron in an easy-to-digest form. and Here are their answers to your most common iron deficiency questions, as well as advice on how to incorporate an iron supplement into your routine.

What, exactly, is iron and why is it important?

“Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms, including humans. Without enough iron, we cannot make hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is essential for delivering oxygen to all of our tissues and cells so that they can produce energy. It plays a role in our antioxidant systems and is necessary for the cytochrome enzymes in our liver to be able to process drugs, caffeine, and hormones.”

Which foods contain iron?

“The body cannot produce its own iron, so we must supply our bodies with iron from our diet. Some foods that are high in iron include:

• Oysters
• Pumpkin
• Eggs
• Brown rice
• Lentils
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Quinoa
• Turkey
• Beef

Iron can be found in both animal-based foods and plant-based foods, each with their own benefits.”

What are the types of iron, and how do they differ?

“There are two types of iron: 

Heme iron, which are animal-based iron sources that are easily absorbed by the body. This type of iron is found in foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, and oysters.

Non-heme iron, which are plant sources of iron that are ideal for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and typically have slightly lower levels of iron content per serving. This type of iron is naturally found in foods such as cereals, pumpkin, brown rice, lentils, mushrooms, spinach, quinoa, and legumes. Most people generally obtain around 65% of their iron requirement from non-heme, plant-based sources.”

What is iron deficiency?

“Iron deficiency occurs when the body’s need for iron is not met over a long period of time. Such an imbalance can arise, for example, if too little iron is absorbed through food or if the requirement increases, for instance due to pregnancy. Another reason can be poor iron transfer from the intestine to the blood. For example, inflammation can reduce absorption. Thus, the iron does not arrive in the body where it is needed.”

Should you take an iron supplement?

“Iron deficiency may be more common than you realize. Some publications have reported that approximately 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women, and 3% of men do not have enough iron. Iron supplements can be used to help reverse low iron levels or treat iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplements are particularly helpful for people that struggle to get adequate amounts of iron through their diet alone.”

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

“Iron plays an important role in our overall health and well-being. If your body doesn’t contain enough of the mineral iron, these are the symptoms to look for:

• Fatigue
• Sleeplessness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Low energy during menstrual cycle
• Pale, dry skin and mucous membranes
• Cracked corners of the mouth
• Brittle nails and hair, including hair loss
• Decreased memory, attention, and learning performance”

Who is most at risk for iron deficiency?

“Menstruating women. Menstruation, the cyclical loss of blood, can take a toll on the body’s iron supply over time, as nearly two-thirds of the body’s iron is bound to red blood cells. During menstruation, blood loss averages 30mL, which includes almost 15mg of iron. Because the body cannot produce iron on its own, women must compensate for this loss of iron through food. To ensure balanced iron, menstruating women should consume approximately 15mg of iron daily through meals or supplementation.

Pregnant women. During pregnancy, your body needs nearly twice the usual amount of iron, and many physicians may prescribe iron supplements in addition to a prenatal vitamin.

Vegetarians and vegans. Without animal-based heme iron in your diet, your body is dependent upon plant-based non-heme iron that is not absorbed as well. Some studies have shown that vegetarians and vegans have a higher prevalence of iron deficiency anemia than their non-vegetarian counterparts. While it’s certainly possible to provide your body with all the iron needed from your diet, you should work with your doctor to monitor your iron levels to identify if you may benefit from adding a vegan or vegetarian iron supplement to your regimen.

People over 50 years of age. Iron deficiency becomes even more common as we get older. Signs of low iron (fatigue, sleeplessness, dizziness, and decreased cognitive function) can exacerbate existing conditions, particularly cardiac conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important for you and your doctor to monitor your iron levels to make sure you are not experiencing low iron levels.

Athletes. Exercise can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb iron. New research has shown that up to 35% of female athletes are iron deficient compared to about 5% in the general population. Around 11% of male athletes are affected by low iron levels, as compared to one percent of the general population.”

Why are iron supplements difficult for many people to digest, and how are Floradix supplements different? 

“Iron supplements, especially in high doses, can be harsh on the digestive system and cause side effects such as constipation, nausea, or an upset stomach. This might be perceived as iron being ‘difficult to digest.’

Floradix iron supplements may help people experiencing iron deficiency, as they have been reported to support the formation of healthy red blood cells. They’ve been trusted by customers for decades, as they are gentle to digest and easily absorbed — conventional iron supplements often are not. Floradix iron supplements also offer these additional benefits:

• Aqueous extract from digestive strengthening plants helps to prevent side effects like constipation
• Rose hip extract offers additional vitamin C
• Wheat germ extract is an additional natural supplier of B-vitamins
• Free of artificial additives, synthetic preservatives, alcohol, and lactose
• Kosher, non-GMO, and vegetarian
• Flavored using only fruit juices

Are there any risks to taking iron supplements?

“It is recommended that before you begin supplementing with iron, you should have your iron levels tested via blood testing to verify if you are in fact deficient and in need of supplementation, and if so, what dose of iron you should be taking in supplement form. 

After you begin supplementing with iron, you should also have your iron levels re-checked every three to four months to note changes in your iron levels, and to know if you need to discontinue use once your iron levels are within a healthy range. This is an important step, as too much iron can actually cause adverse side effects in the body and potentially make you feel unwell.”

Discover Floradix Products at Thrive Market

Floradix Iron & Herbs, Regular
The original Floradix iron supplement is made with iron sourced from ferrous gluconate with B vitamins, and is non-GMO, vegan, lactose-free, and made without artificial additives or preservatives.

Floradix Floravital Iron & Herbs, Yeast-Free
This yeast-free liquid iron supplement formula is easy on digestion and well-tolerated.