Iron supplementation

Iron supplementation should be individualized: excess iron may be harmful, and low-looking iron markers do not automatically mean someone needs a supplement. 1

• Excess iron and aging: Excess iron may increase senescent cells, which are linked with inflammation and can contribute to cancer; taking excess iron as a supplement may therefore accelerate aging. 2
• Women with low ferritin: Stacy Sims recommends considering iron every other day for 10 days, beginning on the first day of menstruation, when low ferritin is a concern. 3
• Fatigue is not proof of low iron: Fatigue can have many causes, so it does not by itself establish that iron supplementation is needed. 4