Carlson Women's Iron Restore 28 mg Iron + B Vitamins

Our assessment

The evidence shows that this product combines iron with B vitamins and calcium, but the data on these individual ingredients reveals important considerations for you. While iron and B vitamins are essential for energy and red blood cell production, the calcium component at 28 mg is a very small amount and will not significantly impact bone health or interact with medications on its own [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of iron as a key component for carrying oxygen throughout your body, while B vitamins act as co-factors in energy metabolism. The calcium in this formula supports bone mineralization and neuromuscular relaxation, though the dose here is low [NIH ODS]. For meaningful bone support, you would need significantly more calcium from other sources.

Safety profile

FDA received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports for all products in its database. For the calcium ingredient specifically, high levels can cause constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent need to urinate, and abnormal heart rhythms [NIH ODS]. Calcium can also reduce absorption of medications like bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. Data not available for side effects specific to this exact product formulation.

Our recommendation

We recommend you use this product only if you have a confirmed iron deficiency. The 28 mg of iron is a moderate dose, but the calcium content is too low to replace a dedicated calcium supplement. Always take iron supplements with vitamin C for better absorption, and separate calcium-containing products from thyroid or antibiotic medications by at least 4 hours [NIH ODS].

Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:

• Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
• Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
• % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
• Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
• Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.

Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide