Medical expert of the article
New publications
Iron supplements can treat fatigue
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Iron supplements can help cure not only anemia but also those who experience constant, unreasonable fatigue.
Swiss scientists from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland have recently come to the conclusion that dietary supplements containing iron can reduce the feeling of fatigue in humans. It was also noted that iron supplements are also useful for people with low (but not critical) levels of this element in the blood. The relevant studies were conducted, during which 198 women aged 18 to 53 were asked to take these supplements for 12 weeks. The experiment involved women who were menstruating during this period, which is known to reduce the amount of iron in the blood.
Each of the women experienced unexplained fatigue in the body before the experiment began. Until the end of the experiment, the scientists were not sure of its results.
Ninety-nine women took a drug containing iron (80 mg), while the rest were offered another drug that appeared to contain iron. Each woman's fatigue level was recorded before and after the trial.
The study found that fatigue levels dropped by 50% in women who took iron supplements for 12 weeks and who had not previously been diagnosed with anaemia. “So fatigue in the body is caused by not having enough iron in the blood,” said one of the researchers, Dr Bernard Favrat. Rick Miller, a member of the British Dietetic Association, notes that fatigue levels can be reduced by a poor diet or lack of sleep, as well as excessive exercise.
In any case, iron in sufficient quantities in the human body prevents the appearance of signs of fatigue. This means that taking these supplements is justified, but only in small quantities, since excess iron in the blood leads to damage to important organs.
[