Iron Bloom

What Iron Bloom Is

Iron Bloom is a daily iron food supplement — iron on its own, without other nutrients added. It is the simpler of the two iron products in the BLOOMLY range, and it exists for people who want exactly that and nothing more.

What Iron Is

Iron is a dietary mineral with an established Nutrient Reference Value in the United Kingdom.

In food it appears in two forms, and the distinction is genuinely useful. Haem iron occurs in meat, poultry and fish. Non-haem iron occurs in plant foods such as pulses, lentils, tofu, dark leafy greens, dried fruit and fortified cereals, and it is also the form used in most supplements.

The two behave differently, and non-haem iron is the one more affected by what is eaten alongside it. This is the reason iron is so often discussed in terms of when to take it rather than simply how much. The directions printed on your pack are the instruction to follow.

Ferrous, Bisglycinate And Why The Form Is The Whole Story

Iron supplements list forms such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate and iron bisglycinate.

As with every mineral, two things follow. The compound weight is not the iron weight — a product stating a large milligram figure for the compound provides less than that in elemental iron, which is the figure that matters. And the forms differ in how readily they dissolve and in how people tend to tolerate them.

Tolerance is the reason iron gets talked about more than most minerals, and it is closely tied to the form and to whether the supplement is taken with food. If a product does not suit you, that is a conversation for your doctor or pharmacist rather than for a product page.

Two Iron Products, One Difference

There are two iron supplements in the BLOOMLY range and the difference is deliberate.

Iron Bloom is iron by itself. It is for people who know they want iron and nothing else in the serving, often because they are already taking other supplements and would rather not double up.

Iron Complex Bloom combines iron with other nutrients in one serving, which suits people who would rather take one thing than several.

Neither is an upgrade of the other. They are two answers to the same question.

How It Fits Into Your Routine

Iron is the supplement where timing is most often discussed, because of what it is taken alongside. Whichever slot you choose, keeping it consistent matters more than the particular hour, and the directions on your pack are the instruction to follow.

What You Get In Each Pack

A single pack, a 2 pack and a 4 pack. Identical product in each; only the quantity changes. Prices are shown on this page before you add anything to your basket.

Who It's For

Adults who want a plain iron supplement without additional nutrients, and who want to see the form of iron and the elemental amount written out.

Iron is one to be particular about. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose, keep it well out of reach of children, and speak to your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision.

Questions, Answered

What is the difference between haem and non-haem iron?
Haem iron occurs in meat, poultry and fish. Non-haem iron occurs in plant foods and is the form used in most supplements.

What does "elemental iron" mean?
The amount of iron itself in a serving, as distinct from the total weight of the iron compound. It is the figure worth comparing between products.

Does vitamin C affect iron?
Vitamin C in the same meal increases how much non-haem iron is taken up. It is a common reason people pair an iron supplement with a source of vitamin C.

Do tea and coffee affect iron?
Tannins in tea and coffee reduce how much non-haem iron is taken up, as does calcium from dairy. This is why timing is discussed so often with iron.

What is the difference between ferrous sulfate, fumarate and bisglycinate?
They are different compounds that iron is bound to. They differ in elemental iron content by weight, in solubility, and in how people tend to tolerate them.

Why do plant-based diets get discussed alongside iron?
Because plant foods supply non-haem iron, which is more affected by what is eaten alongside it than haem iron from meat and fish.

What is the difference between Iron Bloom and Iron Complex Bloom?
Iron Bloom is iron by itself. Iron Complex Bloom combines iron with other nutrients in one serving.

Should I check with my doctor before taking it?
Yes, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision. Keep any iron supplement well out of reach of children.

Important Information

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Store out of the reach of young children.

Warnings: Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Store out of the reach of young children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, consult your doctor before use.