How Much Iron Supplement Should Women Take?

Overview

You May Feel You Don't Need A Supplement.

If you eat a healthy diet, you may not think you need an iron supplement. After all, iron is a naturally-occurring mineral that can be found in many foods, like meat, beans and spinach.

Many Women Are Iron-Deficient.

Women, especially those of child-bearing age and those who are pregnant, need a lot of iron--often more than they are able to get from food alone. Taking an iron supplement is an easy way to improve energy levels.

Bottom Line

Doctors recommend that women age 18 to 50 (more specifically, women of childbearing age who have a regular menstrual cycle) get 18 milligrams of iron daily. Pregnant women should increase the amount to 27 milligrams per day. This amount is easily obtained through an iron supplement.

References

• Web MD: Essential Nutrients Every Woman Needs
• National Institute of Health: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet - Iron