Iron for Brain Health
Iron has a central role in brain health and function. It supports myelination pathways to maintain nerve signaling, is used to help synthesize neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and powers brain cells by driving neuronal energy metabolism.
These processes make iron critical for healthy mood and cognition, yet low iron status can disrupt them long before overt anemia appears on standard bloodwork. Serum ferritin, the body’s iron storage marker, can reveal these early shifts and guide proactive supplementation, especially in high-risk populations like menstruating adults, those with low dietary intake, or youth during rapid brain growth.
Brain Health Functions Iron Supports
Iron supports cognitive function1
Iron supports normal attention1
Iron supports healthy memory1
Iron supports normal perceptual motor speed2
Bridging the Research Gap on Iron and Cognitive Health
While earlier research suggested that iron supplementation can support cognitive performance in children and menstruating adults, much of this evidence came from studies that included both anemic and non-anemic individuals, obscuring the specific effects of iron deficiency alone.
New research now addresses this gap. In a 2025 meta-analysis and systematic review, Fiani and colleagues pooled data from 16 clinical trials involving 1,408 non-anemic children, adolescents, and menstruating adults with biochemically confirmed iron deficiency who received oral or intravenous iron.3 By isolating iron deficiency before anemia develops, this work provides clearer insight into iron’s role in supporting cognitive and psychiatric functioning.
Study Findings: Iron Supports Mood and Mind
In the randomized trials, iron supplementation significantly improved fatigue, improved physical well-being, and symptoms of anxiety. Cognitively, iron significantly improved short-term memory and problem-solving skills, as demonstrated using clinically validated tools. The authors concluded that iron supplementation has a beneficial effect on psychiatric symptoms and cognition in these groups, highlighting the importance of proactive intervention for at-risk populations.
This meta-analysis and systematic review demonstrate that iron supplementation supports psychiatric and cognitive functioning in youth and menstruating adults, even in the absence of anemia.
Ferrochel®: Superior Absorption Meets Better Tolerability
Low iron status can physically manifest before anemia develops, as demonstrated by Fiani and colleagues (2025), yet traditional iron salts are notorious for their poor tolerability, making compliance a barrier.
Ferrochel® (ferrous bisglycinate chelate) excels for preventative use with superior tolerability and absorption. Chelated Pre-bound to two glycine molecules, Ferrochel® better resists gut inhibitors like phytates, polyphenols, and “anti-nutrients”, enabling a ~5x better absorption in their presence compared with ferrous sulfate. This translates to fewer gastrointestinal upset effects and superior bioavailability compared to other iron salts.
