The 6 Best Vegan Iron Supplements in 2026

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Are you struggling to get your iron intake to optimal levels?

Are you feeling any symptoms that may be synonymous with an iron deficiency?

Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms produced by anemia — a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.

It’s nothing new to say that vegans are at a higher risk of being iron deficient, simply because non-heme iron (the one present in plants) comes in a less absorbable form. And while you can increase iron’s absorption rate, not everyone knows how to successfully do that.

Here is a quick preview of the supplements we’ve deemed the most effective:

In this article, we look at the top 6 vegan iron supplements on the market, and we also explain some of the most common issues regarding iron supplements, and we’ve also included tips on how to increase iron absorption.

What To Look For In A Vegan Iron Supplement

If you want to purchase a vegan iron supplement, I’d highly advise you to do more than simply pay attention to the ingredients on the label. It’s important to be aware of notions such as adequate iron intake, the different forms of iron, and the inclusion of iron-supporting ingredients.

Amount of Iron Per Serving

A label will clearly indicate how much iron the supplement contains per serving, and this is something you should focus on primarily.

It’s very common to find supplements that will deliver more iron than you need in a day, and that can be quite dangerous in the mid-long term. As you know, iron deficiency can leave you in an anemic state, however, the overconsumption of iron might be even more dangerous.

Iron overload can increase the risk of liver disease, heart attack or heart failure, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, and other dangerous conditions.

In some cases, it may even lead to premature death.

Also, you have to understand the following as well — men and women have different requirements when it comes to taking iron. The recommended daily allowance of iron is 8 mg (for men) to 18 mg (for women). That’s why if you’re a man, you need to opt for one on the lower end of that spectrum to avoid iron overload.

The Form of the Iron

If you analyze the different iron supplements available, it’s possible to see 4 main types of iron:

• Ferric iron: This is the least dissolvable type.
• Ferrous iron: This one is more absorbable than ferric iron, and comes in forms like ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, and more.
• Carbonyl iron: Perhaps the purest form. It’s the most absorbable type, and it’s easy on the stomach, leading to fewer complaints.
• Chelated iron: It’s a highly absorbable type of iron but it’s not that common in supplements, and it’s also considered safe.

Iron supplements are also available in different delivery forms: capsules, pill, and liquid form.

The most convenient way to take your iron supplement is via capsules since you don’t need to mix it with anything and it generally doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste. However, some people have a lot of trouble swallowing capsules, so they might want to consider a different delivery form.

Vitamin C and B12

The more vitamins and minerals a supplement contains, the more nutrients you can get.

B12 is extremely important for vegans, so if you have a supplement that offers you some B12, it’s a win-win situation.

More importantly, if you have certain nutrients that support the absorption of others, it’s even better. Vitamin C is one of those nutrients since it improves the absorption of iron.

The same goes for everyday meals. If you’re having an iron-rich meal, you should do so while eating Vitamin C-rich foods like fruits and vegetables like guava, kiwi, spinach, kale, and broccoli.

The 6 Best Vegan Iron Supplements

Future Kind Vegan Iron + Vitamin C Supplement

Future Kind is a brand that specializes in creating supplements for vegans, by investing in formulas that can be optimally absorbed.

This supplement, for instance, uses a non-GMO patented chelated form of Iron (ferrous bisglycinate) called Ferrochel®, a highly-absorbable form of iron.

Combined with a Vitamin C whole food made from Acerola Cherry, the iron content becomes five times more absorbable than just taking iron in isolation.

Priced at $13.60, Future Kind offers a very clean and affordable solution for any vegan wishing to increase their iron intake.

Another thing I love about Future Kind is that they invest in sustainable packaging, including 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles & glass, recycled mailers, boxes, fillers and tape, recycled brochures & soy-based ink, as well as carbon offset shipping.

If you want an effective vegan iron supplement from a company that is ethical and invests in environmental-friendly solutions for conscious consumers, then Future Kind’s iron supplement is hands down one of the best on the market.

Vitamin Code Whole Food Iron

Vitamin Code Raw Iron is a vegan-friendly supplement comprised of multiple whole foods (also known as the Raw Organic Fruit and Vegetable blend) that offers you several nutrients, including iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, calcium, folic acid, and phosphorus.

Considering the amount of iron in the supplement (22 mg), it’s clear that it’s not made for men, since men’s recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is set to 8 mg according to the National Institute of Health.

In fact, I can see this being a very useful supplement for women, and even more useful for vegan women that are pregnant and need a larger iron supply. It’s also interesting that they’ve included Vitamin B12, since vegans, in general, have a hard time obtaining it from foods alone.

What this supplement also contains is a blend of probiotic and digestion-improving enzymes that facilitate the digestion of the vegetable capsules, to avoid potential constipation.

While it contains a plethora of organic whole foods, it’s actually quite affordable by being priced at $16.99 at Vitamin Shoppe.

Overall, it’s a great vegan iron supplement, but not a solution I’d recommend for men.

MegaFood Blood Builder Whole Food Iron

According to the manufacturer, this blood-building supplement is clinically proven to augment iron levels in your bloodstream.

In each serving, you’re able to find a healthy combination of nutrients, including iron, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B12, all of which are present in generous proportions.

With 26 mg of iron in one serving, this supplement seems to be designed for women, since women require more iron, especially during menstruation and pregnancy.

This combination of nutrients is put together using whole foods, namely oranges, broccoli, and brewer’s yeast — which is responsible for the B12 and iron content.

While priced very generously at $29.99 for 90 servings, there are more affordable options offering a similar kind of formula.

The Vitamin Code Raw Iron supplement is one such formula, with the bonus of being put forward by a company that has been in the market for a really long time and has gained its popularity through the use of organic whole foods.

That said, Blood Builder by Megafood is still a solid choice.

Solgar Gentle Iron

Solgar has been around since 1947 and they’re known for creating healthy vitamins and supplements with science-backed formulas, and responsibly sourced ingredients, following the highest quality standards in the United States.

Not only do they avoid the use of artificial ingredients and fillers, but they also stick to in-house manufacturing and do so in small batches to make use of the finest raw materials.

Akin to the first supplement on this list, it contains iron bisglycinate, a highly-absorbable form of iron that is pretty soft on your stomach.

However, unlike the rest of the supplements, it doesn’t contain enhancers that improve iron absorption or any other nutrients that might be useful in a vegan diet.

Each serving comes with 25 mg of iron, so it’s not ideal for men, who don’t need as much iron.

For almost $19 you get 180 servings — the equivalent of six months of daily supplementing, which makes it more affordable than any other supplement on this list. Though, that is expected considering the simplicity of the formula.

Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron

Mary Ruth Organics has developed a liquid iron supplement that appeals to individuals of all ages, thanks to its tasty berry flavor. It contains 30 servings, providing 18mg of iron per serving.

Made with Ferrochel® (ferrous bisglycinate chelate), this supplement boasts a high absorption rate, making it easier for the body to tolerate compared to some iron salt supplements.

One of the few liquid iron supplements on the market, MaryRuth’s formula is Non-GMO, Vegan, and free of artificial colors. Produced in a GMP facility, it is also gluten, nut, soy, corn, nightshade, and sugar-free.

Pros of this supplement include its palatable liquid form, which can be easily consumed by children and adults alike.

Many customers also reported positive blood test results after using the product, and the liquid can be conveniently added to smoothies.

On the downside, the supplement only comes in one flavor and has a strong aftertaste according to some customers. The price of $37.95 per bottle may also be prohibitive for some individuals with a fixed budget. 

Nevertheless, it’s still a viable option if you have the budget for it.

DEVA Chelated Iron

DEVA’s Vegan Chelated Iron supplement is a certified vegan option that offers a unique combination of amino acid chelated iron and added Vitamin B-12, making it an attractive choice for anyone on a vegan diet.

Many users appreciate its effectiveness in raising their blood iron levels without causing major stomach problems, which is a common issue with other iron supplements. The supplement’s palatable taste is another advantage that users have mentioned.

Although it does contain a lot of iron per serving, that may not necessarily be a good thing because the dosage seems too high compared to how much you need per day. 

It’s really appealing, especially when you consider the really affordable price (a little less than $8), but I’d seek professional advice before taking such a supplement.

How Much Iron Do We Actually Need?

Just recently in the United States, the National Institute of Health has come up with new recommendations for iron.

According to them, vegetarians should have intakes 1.8x higher than the general population.

However, according to Jack Norris, the Executive Director of Vegan Outreach and Registered Dietician, that increase is not based on actual research done on vegetarians, but because the iron in plant foods is not as easily absorbed as the iron in animal foods.

As a result, several experts on vegetarian nutrition believe that these numbers are much higher than they should actually be.

Iron From Animals VS Iron From Plants

To better understand what’s necessary to ensure our bodies are getting enough iron, there are essentially two things we have to accept:

1. Non-heme iron (the one derived from plants) is not as well absorbed as heme-iron (the one derived from animal foods).
2. Vegans and vegetarians may have lower iron stores than omnivores.

That being said, it’s not that difficult to obtain iron on a plant-based diet.

Additionally, while vegans and vegetarians may have lower iron stores, research shows that they do not have higher rates of anemia. And while you may find research showing that vegetarians have less-than-normal stores, that might not be necessarily bad.

In fact, there’s evidence showing that low-normal iron stores lead to improved insulin function and lower rates of heart disease and cancer.

Can You Get Enough Iron On A Vegan Diet?

Yes, you can. You do that by eating plant foods that contain substantial amounts of iron.

Some of the best plant sources of iron include:

• Legumes: lentils, soybeans, tofu, tempeh, and lima beans
• Grains: quinoa, fortified cereals, oatmeal, brown rice
• Nuts and Seeds: cashews, pumpkin, squash, pine, sunflower, sesame
• Vegetables: tomato sauce, swiss chard, collard greens

But more important than eating all these foods is making sure you optimally absorb them.

How can you do that? Let’s see that below.

How To Absorb More Iron On A Vegan Diet

Eat Non-Heme Iron With Vitamin C Foods

Adding vitamin C to your iron-rich meals increases iron absorption by five times.

Some cultural foods already follow this pattern. Beans and rice with salsa, falafel with tomatoes, and hummus with lemon juice. If you’re eating foods such as beans, grains, and seeds, make sure to always include a vitamin C food for better iron absorption.

Certain iron foods like leafy greens, broccoli, and tomato juice already have vitamin C.

Avoid Coffee and Caffeinated Tea When Eating Your Meals

Caffeinated drinks (and decaffeinated coffee) contain tannins that inhibit iron absorption which is why you should only drink them an hour before or two hours after your meal.

Be Mindful With Foods With High-Oxalate Content

Foods with high-oxalate content (spinach) block iron absorption.

There isn’t a consensus on this issue but with the existing variety of iron sources out there, you can always try some other foods instead of taking that risk.

Smaller Iron Portions Are Better Absorbed

Here’s an important thing to consider — when you eat high amounts of iron at one time, the percentage our bodies absorb is lower than when our meal contains only a few milligrams.

Plant-based foods may contain less iron than animal foods, but eating smaller amounts of iron-based foods throughout the day is an effective way to increase absorption.

This is true even if you take an iron supplement. Some nutritional experts recommend breaking an iron capsule in half and taking half in the morning and a half at night with either meals or juice.

Should Vegans Take Iron Supplements?

If you eat a variety of iron-rich plant-based foods throughout the day and follow the tips I’ve just mentioned above, then it’s not that hard to get optimal amounts of iron in your diet, regardless of being a vegetarian or vegan.

At the same time, it’s important to understand that iron is one of the few nutrients in which a deficiency immediately affects your health and is easily noticeable.

If you notice some of the symptoms arising (anemia-related symptoms), then you should visit your family physician to get some blood work done. Iron levels can bounce back really quickly by making the right changes in your diet (increasing absorption), or by adding an iron supplement.

Bottom Line

Before you go out and buy a supplement, ask yourself the following — “should I purchase this supplement or can I get its contents through a well-planned plant-based diet?”

Certain nutrients like vitamin B12 and vitamin D are difficult to obtain via fortified foods alone, but that doesn’t mean it’s the same for every other nutrient.

As such, before you decide to purchase an iron supplement, make sure you can actually improve your iron intake by implementing optimal dieting practices. (Some of which I have mentioned)

If your conclusion leads you to think that taking an iron supplement is the way to go, then consider the options we’ve just mentioned. They’re some of the best and most affordable solutions on the market.

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Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, or exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.