Evidence supporting the use of: Iron
For the body system: Muscles

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Iron is an essential mineral with a well-established role in human physiology, particularly as a key component of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which facilitates oxygen transport throughout the body. Adequate oxygen delivery is necessary for muscle function, especially during physical activity, as muscles require oxygen to produce energy. Scientific studies show that iron deficiency—particularly iron-deficiency anemia—can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and reduced exercise performance due to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity. Supplementation with iron in individuals who are iron-deficient has been shown to improve these symptoms and enhance muscle endurance and strength. However, for individuals with normal iron status, supplementation does not appear to enhance muscle function or strength further.

Despite this, iron’s direct role in muscle building or support beyond correcting deficiency is not strongly supported by evidence. Its primary benefit for the muscular system is in preventing or correcting deficiency states that impair muscle oxygenation and function, rather than directly supporting muscle growth or repair. Therefore, while there is scientific validation for using iron to support muscle function in deficient individuals, the evidence is limited if applied more broadly to those with adequate iron levels.

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Other ingredients that support Muscles

Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetylcholine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
animal protein
animal Tissue
Anserina
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
arnica
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
avocado
ba ji tian
banana
BCAA
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
bicarbonate
Biopeptide
black galingale
black ginger
black gram
Black willow
blue cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
brown rice protein
C-phycocyanin
caffeine
calcium
camphor oil
cardarine
Carnosine
casein
Cetylated Fatty Acids
cherry
chia seed
chickpea protein
Chinese mountain ant
chloride
chuchuhuasi
citrate malate
coca
Coconut Water
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cramp bark
creatine
creatine monohydrate
Curcuma
Curcuminoid
Cyanotis arachnoides
Cyanotis vaga
Cyathula
d-alpha tocopherol
D-Ribose
date
deer velvet
devil's claw
dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipeptide
Dipsacus
DL-Methionine
dong quai root
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
elk antler
emu oil
epicatechin
epistane
Erythrina
essential oil blend
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
eucommia
Eurycoma Longifolia
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish protein
forskohlii root
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycine
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
guanidinoacetic acid
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guelder rose
Haematococcus pluvialis
hairy arnica
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
hydroxymethylbutyrate
icariin
Iporuru
iron
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
kale
ketosterones
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-proline
L-taurine
L-threonine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Lavandin
Legume protein
Lentein
Lentil
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
lipids
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
Marine protein
Marjoram
Maslinic acid
Menthol oil
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Methylxanthine
Milk
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Mineral blend
NADH
nicotinamide riboside
Ornithine
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pea
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
polyphenols
potash
potassium
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
protein
proteolytic enzymes
Puerain
pyruvate
Qin Jiao
quinoa
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
rhizome
ribose
rue
Safed musli
Salmon Oil
salt
Shilajit
Sida cordifolia
siler root
solomon's seal
Soy Protein
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
squawvine
suma
Taurine
Taxillus sutchuenensis
Terpenoids
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichopus zeylanicus
Turkesterone
turmeric
Tynanthus panurensis
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Vegetable Protein
Viburnum
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watermelon
wheat germ
Whey protein
white willow
Wintergreen
Withanolides
Wood betony
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

Products containing iron

Vitabase Active Man's Formula
Vitabase Active Woman's Multi
Douglas Laboratories Amino-Iron ™
Metagenics Axis Endo™ Mango
Thorne Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Collagenics®
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Vitabase Easy Iron
Metagenics Fem Prenatal®
Thorne Ferrasorb
Designs For Health Ferrochel® Iron Chelate
Metagenics GI Sustain™ Powder
Douglas Laboratories Hair, Skin and Nails Plus
Metagenics Hemagenics
Metagenics Hemagenics
Thorne Iron Bisglycinate NSF
Pure Encapsulations Iron-C
Integrative Therapeutics Iron Complex
Integrative Therapeutics K-PAX MitoNutrients
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete Klean Isolate™ Natural Chocolate Flavor
Klean Athlete Klean Recovery ™
Pure Encapsulations Liquid Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Liquid Iron
Thorne MediClear Plus
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations Mineral 650
Metagenics Multigenics®
Metagenics Multigenics Chewable Orange
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations OptiFerin-C
Designs For Health Organ Synergy™ 180 Capsules
Designs For Health Organ Synergy™ Powder
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health PaleoGreens®
Designs For Health PaleoGreens®
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Metagenics Perfect Protein® Pea & Rice Chocolate Powder
Metagenics Perfect Protein Pea & Rice Vanilla Powder
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Chocolate
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Metagenics PhytoMulti With Iron
Designs For Health Phytotein™
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal Plus
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal
Metagenics PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Douglas Laboratories Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health Prenatal Pro™
Pure Encapsulations PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations PurePals with Iron
Designs For Health PurePea™
Douglas Laboratories Timed Release Iron
Metagenics Ultra Calm® Bar Chocolate Coconut
Metagenics Ultra Energy Bar Caramel Sea Salt
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Protein Bar Peanut Butter
Metagenics UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate Chocolate NSF
Designs For Health WheyCool™