Multivitamins are a combination of different vitamins and minerals that are normally found in foods and other natural sources.
Iron is normally found in foods like dark leafy vegetables, beans, red meat, and fortified breakfast cereals. In the body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to organs and tissues; on the other hand, myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.
Multivitamins with iron are used to provide iron and vitamins that are not taken in through the diet. They are also used to treat vitamin or iron deficiencies caused by poor nutrition, pregnancy, digestive disorders, illness, and other conditions.
Multivitamins with Iron: Why Is It Important?
Iron is a mineral that is found in every cell in the human body. Yet, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified iron deficiency as one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies in the world.
For athletes, iron is one of the most important nutrients for aerobic performance – this is because iron is a vital building block for hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body including the muscles. For athletes, the amount of hemoglobin determines how much oxygen will circulate through the body; therefore, low iron levels equal low hemoglobin levels, which equals to low oxygen levels for the muscles. All of this leads to low athletic performance.
However, athletes aren’t the only ones who suffer the effects of low iron levels. In fact, the World Health Organization says iron deficiency affects around 2 billion people around the world[1].
So, why is iron deficiency so common? The most common reason is a low level of iron consumed from a normal diet, plus it is often combined with a regular intake of food and drinks that inhibit iron absorption. For instance, fruits and vegetables are top sources of iron. However, a CDC study found that less than 20% of people eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables[2]. Plus, adding regular tea or coffee to a low-iron diet adds the potential to reduce iron absorption of a meal by 20% – to 50%.
This is where multivitamins with iron come in.
A daily multivitamin with iron can help support eating habits to ensure healthy iron levels. Plus, Vitamin C combined with iron in a multivitamin can significantly boost iron absorption.
Studies have shown that different food combinations can affect iron absorption[3]. A multivitamin with iron helps ensure that the body absorbs a wide range of nutrients daily to support food choices.
Supplementing a diet with a multivitamin with iron also improves a person’s ability to intake iron without having to significantly increase food consumption. Of course, eating healthy food should not be replaced with a multivitamin, but instead, can be added for incremental increases in levels.
Overall, iron is an essential nutrient for the body to function. However, note that excessive iron intake can lead to toxicity and may cause serious medical problems.
Multivitamins with Iron Philippines
Looking for quality multivitamins with iron? Below, we list our top recommendations, including multivitamins with iron for kids.
- Stresstabs Multivitamins + Iron. Multivitamins + Iron (Stresstabs) is indicated for the treatment and prevention of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-complex, and Iron deficiencies during periods of stress.
- Ferlin® Iron + Vitamin B-Complex (for infants and children). Ferlin® Iron + Vitamin B-Complex is an iron supplement that helps promote healthy blood and prevents and treats iron deficiency anemia in infants and children. The form of iron in Ferlin® is quickly absorbed to help the blood transport nutrients and oxygen in the body.
- Hemarate® FA Iron + Vitamin B-Complex + Folic Acid. For the treatment and prevention of iron-deficiency anemia, and folate deficiency, and for lowering plasma homocysteine.
- Watson’s Multivitamins with Iron. Used to treat vitamin or iron deficiencies caused by poor nutrition, digestive disorders, pregnancy, illness, and other conditions.
- Centrum Oral. This medication is a multivitamin and iron product used to prevent or treat vitamin deficiency due to certain illnesses, poor diet, or during pregnancy.
How Should I Take Multivitamins with Iron?
You should take multivitamins with iron as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take this multivitamin in large amounts or for longer than recommended.
Never take more than the suggested dose of multivitamins with iron. Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take multivitamins with iron. Note that taking similar vitamin products together at the same time can result in serious side effects or a vitamin overdose.
Many multivitamin products also contain minerals such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium. Minerals, especially when taken in large doses, can cause side effects such as confusion, uneven heart rate, increased urination, tooth staining, stomach bleeding, and muscle weakness. Make sure to carefully read the label of any multivitamin product you take so that you are aware of what it contains.
You may take multivitamins with iron with food if it upsets your stomach.
Chewable tablets must be chewed thoroughly or allowed to dissolve in the mouth before swallowing.
For liquid multivitamins, make sure to use the dosing syringe, medicine cup, or special dose-measuring spoon provided. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Liquid or powder multivitamins may sometimes be mixed with fruit juice, water, or infant formula – but not milk or any other dairy products. Make sure to follow the mixing instructions on the label.
Do not open, break, crush, or chew an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole.
Make sure to take multivitamins with iron regularly to get the most benefit.
Multivitamins with Iron Side Effects
When taken as directed, multivitamins with iron are not expected to cause serious side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Temporary staining of teeth
- Dark- or black-colored urine or stools
Call your doctor if you notice:
- Pain in your throat or chest when swallowing a tablet
- Bright red blood in your stools
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing; hives; or swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face.
Note that this is not a comprehensive list of side effects and others may occur. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about the side effects of multivitamins with iron.
The Bottom Line
Multivitamins with iron are used to provide iron and vitamins that are not taken in through the diet. They are also used to treat vitamin or iron deficiencies caused by poor nutrition, pregnancy, digestive disorders, illness, and other conditions.
If you’re looking for multivitamins with the iron Philippines, some of our top recommendations include Stresstabs Multivitamins + Iron, Ferlin® Iron + Vitamin B-Complex (multivitamins with iron for kids), Hemarate® FA Iron + Vitamin B-Complex + Folic Acid, Watsons Multivitamins with Iron, and Centrum Oral.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.
