Iron plays an important part in the functions of the human body, especially during pregnancy. It carries oxygen not only to your body but to the baby as well.

Sadly, when you are pregnant, it is common to suffer from iron deficiency. In fact, it is believed that around 50% of pregnant women are not getting enough iron in their body. This is a big problem since during pregnancy, you need twice the amount of iron compared to what is normally needed by the body.

The easiest solution to make sure that the amount of iron in your body remains on the recommended level is to take an iron Supplement. If you are unsure of which one will make the best choice, keep on reading the rest of this post and we’ll let you know some of the top choices that are available.

Why You Need Iron During Pregnancy

Iron is a mineral that is crucial for the body especially during pregnancy. First, it is important that you know the value of iron. It is used by the body for the production of hemoglobin. This is found in the red blood cells and plays an important role in the transport of oxygen. When you are pregnant, blood supply increases, which is also why the demand for iron increases. With this, you need twice the amount of iron, which should be about 27 mg daily.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, an iron deficiency called anemia is a common occurrence amongst pregnant women. Especially in severe cases, such a deficiency will lead to negative effects, which include infant mortality, maternal mortality, and premature birth. Pregnant women will also feel lousy, dizzy, light-headed, and tired when the iron is at a low level.

Iron also helps in maintaining your immune system, which is important to have defense from a number of illnesses that can commonly happen during pregnancy. It is also important in the production of enzymes and collagen, a protein that is present in the connective tissues.

How Much Iron Do You Need?

For the women who are not pregnant, 18 milligrams of iron is the recommended daily dosage. When you are pregnant, on the other hand, you need to have at least 27 milligrams of iron. This is because iron is not only needed by the pregnant woman, but by the baby in the placenta as well.

However, while 27mg is the recommended daily dosage, there are some who go for 30 to 50 mg. This is especially the case during the second half of pregnancy. At this point, the iron requirement increases.

Can You Have Too Much Iron?

Iron toxicity is only an issue among adults who consume more than 1,000 mg of iron daily. It can lead to diarrhea and constipation.

If you go beyond the 27mg of iron that is recommended daily, as long as it is not too much above, the only thing that can happen is that the iron will no longer be absorbed by the body.

How to Choose an Iron Supplement for Pregnancy

With too many options that are available, here are some of the most important considerations that will make it possible for you to narrow down the possibilities:

• Look at the dosage of the iron supplement. Remember, you will need to have 27 mg of iron in a day. However, take note that you will not only get it from the supplement, but also from food intake. This is why even lower doses for a supplement will be fine, as long as you take food rich in iron as well.
• Be familiar with the different forms of iron supplements that are available, such as capsules, tablet, and liquid. Look at the label and look for one that can be easily absorbed by the body. A slow release form will also be a great choice.
• As much as possible, look for a supplement that contains multiple vitamins that will support a healthy pregnancy, not just iron. Vitamin C is one of the most important, which will help in the improvement of iron absorption.
• Before you decide which to buy, you also have to be familiar with the different forms of iron that are present in the supplement, such as elemental iron, ferrous sulfate, and ferrous fumarate, among others. Consult with a medical professional to know what your body needs.

How to Prevent Iron Deficiency

Taking the right supplement is just one of the ways to deal with iron deficiency. To make sure that your body has the right amount of iron to maintain its peak health, here are some of the best things that you can do:

• The best way to naturally treat iron deficiency during pregnancy is through food intake. You need to consume more foods that are high in iron, including poultry, red meat, spinach, peas, pork, beans, beef liver, and dried fruits.
• Aside from iron, Vitamin C will also help for a healthy body during pregnancy. This explains why a lot of iron supplements also contain Vitamin C. They are also instrumental in improving the ability of the body to absorb iron.
• If you are a fan of coffee and tea, you also need to make some lifestyle changes. Caffeine is linked to lower iron levels, which is why you might want to avoid such.

Top Picks for Iron Supplements During Pregnancy

In this section, we will have a quick rundown of some of the best supplements that pregnant women can take to effectively increase their iron levels.

Solgar Gentle Iron

This pregnancy Iron Supplement is vegan and vegetarian, which can provide you with the confidence of its highest quality and purity. It is also free of gluten, dairy, and wheat. To make it even better, the supplement is also non-GMO.

Another thing that makes this great is that it has a formulation that is non-constipating, which makes it gentle on the stomach.

With this supplement, you can enjoy synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain, which is great in terms of having a positive impact on your mood.

As it is recommended by the manufacturer, one vegetable capsule should be taken daily as a dietary supplement after a meal.

Slow Fe Iron Supplement Tablets

With this supplement, you will enjoy 45 mg of elemental iron, which is equal to 142 mg of ferrous sulfate. Given the potency of iron in each tablet, you can be confident that it will be highly instrumental in the improvement of the transfer of oxygen.

One thing that you will love about this supplement is that it is easy to swallow.

It is also a great choice because of the special controlled release system. This means that it will be able to deliver iron in your body slowly, which will minimize the possibility of suffering from side effects.

New Chapter Iron Supplement

This dietary supplement is made of whole-food fermented iron. The product undergoes a 2-stage fermentation, which sets it apart from the other pregnancy iron supplements that you can find on the market. The latter harnesses the benefits of probiotics, which have greater vitality.

Aside from iron, which is used in the form of ferrous fumarate, other key ingredients that contribute to its effectiveness include ginger, turmeric, berry, coriander seed, and artichoke leaf, among others. It has a potent mix of organic vegetables and herbs.

Lastly, it should also be noted that it comes with a gentle formulation, which is exactly the reason why it is recommended even for pregnant women.

Ferro-Sequels High-Potency Iron Supplement

By just taking one tablet per day, pregnant women will benefit from the 65 mg of elemental iron that can be provided by this supplement. What makes it even better is that it also includes Vitamin C, which will provide a boost for your immune system.

With the timed-release formula of each caplet, iron will be delivered slowly. This does not only maximize absorption, but it also prevents upsetting the stomach, which is important for pregnant women.

Lastly, this supplement is also great because it is low in sodium and gluten-free.

Floradix Iron Tablets Supplement

This is made by one of the most popular brands for an iron supplement, which is why you can be confident that it will provide unmatched effectiveness in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, especially during pregnancy. Taking this tablet will aid in the formation of red blood cells, which will be vital in the proper function of your body.

Formulated for maximum absorption, you can also have peace of mind with regards to how your body will make the most out of every milligram of iron that is found in this supplement.

Gaia Herbs Plant Force Liquid Iron Supplement

If there is one thing that makes this different from most of the products that are mentioned in this post, it would be the fact that it is in liquid form, which is great for optimal absorption.

Aside from being easy to absorb by the body, you will also love the taste of the supplement, it is not one of those that will make you vomit! It is a slightly sweet flavor from berries. It also has citrus and spice notes.

With the non-constipating and gentle formulation of this iron supplement, it will work great even for pregnant women.

More so, it should also be pointed out that this iron supplement is vegetarian and organic. It does not contain alcohol, gluten, and nut.

Ferretts Iron Supplement

There is no need to worry about taking this iron supplement when you are pregnant. It is dye-free and gluten-free. Like the other supplements that are mentioned in this post, it is also gentle on the stomach, which is why it is great during pregnancy.

With a 106-milligram elemental iron, there is no doubt that this is a high-potency supplement, allowing you to take advantage of the benefits that it can deliver to your body. Take one tablet a day and you can already maximize the benefits of iron.

Nature’s Plus Chewable Iron

If you are having difficulty in swallowing the usual capsules, this iron supplement offers the perfect alternative as it is in a chewable form.

One thing that makes this an excellent product is the fact that it does not only contain a generous amount of iron, but it also has Vitamin C. There are also herbs and natural flavors, which are mainly derived from rose hips, beet root, and raspberry leaves.

Garden of Life Iron Complex

Each capsule of this supplement contains 22mg of whole food iron. More than the iron, it ensures healthy pregnancy because it also contains folate and Vitamin C, among others. It also has enzymes and probiotics, which are great in terms of digestive support.

This product will also be great when it comes to being an energy supplement. It will provide mental and physical energy. It also provides an immune system boost.

Rainbow Light Complete Iron Mini-Tabs

Iron and Vitamin C are two of the most important components of this product, which are great in terms of supporting a healthy pregnancy. It also contains lemon bioflavonoid complex, ginger juice extract, fig powder, and raisin powder, among others.

The supplement has wholesome and food-based formulation. The iron in the supplement is also gentle and non-constipating, which is another reason why it is safe to be taken even during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy body is important during pregnancy to make sure not only of your health but also the health of the baby. To achieve this, you should take an iron supplement, including the products that have been mentioned above.

The post 9 Best Iron Supplement for Pregnancy: 2018 Guide & Reviews appeared first on Pregnancy Skin Expert.