Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
Iron is a mineral that is essential for life. It is found in every cell in the body and helps red blood cells deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world, especially among women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Iron deficiency anemia causes fatigue, weakness, dizziness and pale skin (1).
While iron deficiency can be treated with food and supplements, certain types of iron-rich foods may cause constipation instead of diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms after taking iron supplements or eating certain foods, it may be a sign that you’re not absorbing enough iron from your diet.
Iron Supplements That Cause Constipation
People who take iron supplements may experience constipation due to their high content of insoluble fiber. This type of fiber cannot be digested by humans but can be broken down by gut bacteria (2).
In addition to causing constipation, insoluble fiber also increases flatulence and bloating due to its ability to produce gas when it ferments in the digestive tract (3).
Foods High in Iron That Cause Constipation
Iron is an essential nutrient that is involved in the formation of red blood cells. Hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body, contains iron.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the United States. Anemia occurs when you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. People who have iron deficiency may experience fatigue, shortness of breath and rapid heart rate. Other symptoms may include pale skin, brittle nails and headache.
If you need to boost your iron levels or prevent a deficiency, there are two types of iron supplements: iron sulfate and ferrous gluconate (also called ferrous fumerate). Iron sulfate is a cheap supplement that can cause constipation while ferrous gluconate does not cause constipation as often as iron sulfate but it may cause stomach upset in some people.
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a role in the transport of oxygen to cells. Iron supplements can be used to treat iron deficiency anemia, a common problem among women of childbearing age. They can also be used to treat iron deficiency in people who don’t absorb enough iron from their diet.

There are several types of iron supplements on the market. The most common are ferrous sulfate and ferrous fumarate. Ferrous sulfate is available over-the-counter, while ferrous fumarate requires a prescription from your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take an iron supplement and experience constipation, you may want to switch to another type of iron supplement or stop taking it altogether until your symptoms disappear.
Iron is an important mineral for your body to function properly. It helps with red blood cell production and carries oxygen throughout the body.
Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, low energy, shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. Iron helps with normal cognitive function, so iron deficiency can lead to impaired brain function as well.
Iron deficiency is common in children and pregnant women, but it can affect anyone at any age.
There are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. Heme iron is found in meats, while non-heme iron comes from vegetables, beans and some fish or seafood. Both forms are absorbed into the body differently, but both are necessary for good health.
You may have heard that you shouldn’t eat too much red meat if you want to avoid constipation. There’s some truth to this advice — if you’re not getting enough fiber in your diet, then eating a large portion of red meat could cause constipation because it’s difficult for your body to digest the protein found in red meat
Iron is a mineral that helps your blood transport oxygen to your body’s cells. It is an essential part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. Iron also plays an important role in enzyme function.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. It can lead to anemia, but other symptoms include fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.
There are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. Heme iron comes from animal sources such as meat, poultry and fish and is better absorbed than non-heme iron from plant sources such as beans, lentils and leafy greens.
Iron vitamins that don’t cause constipation
Some people have difficulty absorbing heme iron due to poor stomach acidity or certain medications, so these individuals may need vitamin C supplements or citrus fruits with meals to improve absorption.
There are several factors that can contribute to adequate levels of iron being absorbed in the body. One important factor is not over-dosing on a single type of iron or vitamin. The body can easily determine how much of an element it needs, so if too much is ingested all it does is cause excessive amounts of a single nutrient and can lead to constipation. When choosing vitamins with Iron it is best to find a variety that contains more than one type of Iron, for example one could get tablets with Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Gluconate, and also some Ferrous Citrate. By doing this the body won’t overload itself and begin to store the excess as a way to handle it all.
As a bonus, vitamins with iron are not associated with constipation. For example, I like to use the Natural Calm sublingual tablets. You place them under your tongue and they dissolve in seconds. These contain gentle natural ingredients to support calm nerves, relaxed muscles and more restful sleep [3] .
The iron in supplements is not well-absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. Eating a high-fiber fruit and/or vegetable along with iron supplements increases the absorption rate to something like 35%. Since vegetables have too many vitamins and minerals, some advise that you take it before or with your meal. The vitamin C in the meal increases the absorption (does not hurt if you have orange juice with it) of the iron plan. You need to remember that too much iron is not good for you. Since most people only absorb 30% of their iron supplements, your body will try to get rid of any more, resulting in constipation
The nature of many Ferrum supplements contribute to constipation. The key to avoid this is given. This simple method will greatly improve the intake of these supplements and prevent associated problems.
Flush out the toxins of heavy metals — they take a serious toll on your digestive system and overall health. Zinc and iron are essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help us fight disease and increase our energy levels. They’re especially important to have in our bodies during cold and flu season. But, I’ve been trying to get something straight since a friend of mine was diagnosed with anemia a few months ago: how does zinc affect iron levels?
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