Iron

Natalist dietary supplements are formulated with premium, high bioavailability ingredients for maximum efficacy and potency.‡ Our non-heme iron supplements are low toxicity, gluten free, evidence backed, and vegan, making them the perfect option for those following a plant-based or vegetarian diet.

All of our vitamins are made in an FDA Registered and Inspected Facility, which meets or exceeds FDA 21 CFR 111 guidelines.

In addition to testing the raw material components of our vitamins to ensure their purity and accuracy, we also test each batch after it is produced to ensure final product integrity and quality. Testing includes a chemical analysis to ensure accuracy, a microbial analysis (salmonella, E. coli, yeast, and mold) and a heavy metals test (including arsenic, cadmium, and lead). 

Our iron supplements are free of artificial and synthetic dyes. Additionally, they are manufactured under strict procedures to ensure there is no cross-contamination during manufacturing and storage.

Rather than a mix of iron salts like other iron supplements, our carbonyl iron consists of high purity elemental iron. Research has shown carbonyl iron to be an effective treatment for iron deficiency anemia, to have tolerable side effects, and to substantially reduce the risk of iron poisoning in children.^‡

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the developed world and almost half of the cases are due to not getting enough of this mineral via diet or supplementation (the other half may be due to genetics or an underlying medical condition).

You may think you are in the clear because you are eating iron-rich foods like red meat, chia seeds, and spinach, but iron deficiency can sneak up on you—especially when you are pregnant or TTC. Pregnant women are at an elevated risk for iron deficiency since their iron needs increase over the course of pregnancy. Data suggests that up to 52% of pregnant women may be diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia.

During pregnancy, your body needs to produce more blood to support your growing body and baby. If you are not getting enough iron in your diet, your body may not be able to make enough red blood cells to produce additional and essential blood.^‡

If you don’t have enough iron in your system and are not treated for iron deficiency anemia, it puts you and your baby at risk for various conditions, including preeclampsia, premature birth, low birth weight, baby being born with an iron deficiency, and baby being born with a developmental delay or developing one over the first year of life. 

Some groups of people will be more at-risk for an iron deficiency than others and should proactively check with their healthcare provider. These groups include those on a vegetarian or plant based diet, teenagers who are expecting, pregnant women with a history of iron deficiency, pregnant women of multiples, and pregnant women with extreme morning sickness.^‡

Data suggests that supplementation of dietary iron may help support a woman’s TTC goals if she is managing infertility resulting from ovulatory dysfunction (abnormal, irregular, or absent ovulation). A study evaluating over 18,000 women who were TTC found that dietary iron supplements and non-heme iron (vegetarian sources of iron) from other sources may decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility.^‡

Iron is a mineral that is key for helping move oxygen around in the body. If you don’t have enough iron in your blood, you may feel tired because oxygen is not getting to where it needs to be. In fact, 44 percent of people with iron deficiency experience fatigue. In a systematic review evaluating 18 studies, iron supplementation was associated with reduced subjective measures of fatigue in those who are iron deficient, but not officially diagnosed with anemia.^‡

Iron absorption is best in an acidic environment, thus supplements should be taken on an empty stomach or with citrus foods and drinks such as orange juice. Avoid taking too much iron with cow's milk, antacids, caffeine, or high fiber solid foods.

There’s a lot of junk science out there, and products being sold with grand promises, but little or no data to back it up. We stand by our products and only sell fertility supplements with ample clinical evidence supporting the claims. We try to be very clear about who would benefit most from these supplements, but it’s also important to discuss your prenatal supplement routine with your physician who can give further guidance.

This product is manufactured in a facility which may also process milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and crustacean shellfish.

Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

Abu-Ouf, Noran M., and Mohammed M. Jan. 2015. “The Impact of Maternal Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia on Child’s Health.” Saudi Medical Journal 36 (2): 146–49.

Auerbach, Michael. 2020. “Anemia in Pregnancy.” In UpToDate, edited by Lynn L. Simpson and Jennifer S. Tirnauer. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.

Chavarro, Jorge E., Janet W. Rich-Edwards, Bernard A. Rosner, and Walter C. Willett. 2006. “Iron Intake and Risk of Ovulatory Infertility.” Obstetrics and Gynecology 108 (5): 1145–52.

Kassebaum, Nicholas J., Rashmi Jasrasaria, Mohsen Naghavi, Sarah K. Wulf, Nicole Johns, Rafael Lozano, Mathilda Regan, et al. 2014. “A Systematic Analysis of Global Anemia Burden from 1990 to 2010.” Blood 123 (5): 615–24.

Sato, Ana Paula Sayuri, Elizabeth Fujimori, Sophia Cornbluth Szarfarc, Ana Luiza Vilela Borges, and Maria Alice Tsunechiro. 2010. “Food Consumption and Iron Intake of Pregnant and Reproductive Aged Women.” Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem 18 (2): 247–54.

Zimmermann, Michael B., and Richard F. Hurrell. 2007. “Nutritional Iron Deficiency.” The Lancet 370 (9586): 511–20.