Iron Supplements Without the Side Effects | The Apothecary 27 Iron Complex
Iron is one of the most commonly deficient nutrients in the UK — and yet it's also one of the most abandoned supplements on the market. The reason? For many people, traditional iron tablets work in theory but come with a familiar set of complaints: nausea, constipation, stomach cramps, and a general feeling that the cure might be worse than the problem.
We've heard this story at the counter more times than we can count. Someone comes in, iron levels confirmed low, tried supplementing, felt terrible, stopped taking it. It's one of the most frustrating cycles in everyday nutrition — and one that, in most cases, is entirely avoidable.
Why Iron Matters
Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. When iron levels fall, so does the body's ability to deliver oxygen efficiently. The result is that familiar constellation of symptoms: fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, poor concentration, and a general sense of running on empty.
Low iron is particularly common in women of menstruating age, those following plant-based diets, and anyone with higher physical demands on their body. It's also one of those deficiencies that builds gradually — often dismissed as tiredness or stress before a blood test confirms what's actually going on.
The Problem With Most Iron Supplements
The majority of iron supplements on the market use ferrous sulphate or ferrous fumarate — forms that are inexpensive to produce and widely available. They do raise iron levels, but they're also harsh on the gut lining, which is where the nausea, cramping and constipation come from.
The issue is that these forms of iron are only partially absorbed in the gut, meaning a significant amount passes through unabsorbed — and it's this unabsorbed iron that causes the digestive discomfort most people experience.
Why We Use Iron Bisglycinate
When formulating our Iron Complex, we chose iron bisglycinate — a form of iron bound to the amino acid glycine, sometimes called chelated iron. This binding makes it significantly gentler on the digestive system, because it's absorbed through a different pathway to standard iron salts, reducing the amount of unabsorbed iron left to irritate the gut.
The result is a supplement that raises iron levels effectively, without the side effects that cause so many people to give up. It's something we hear again and again from customers who've previously struggled with iron supplementation — the surprise that something this effective can also be this comfortable to take.
Clinical Strength — Genuinely
Our Iron Complex provides twice the RNI — the Recommended Nutrient Intake — per capsule. This makes it particularly well suited to those looking to actively raise low iron levels, rather than simply maintain them.
This is the detail that tends to surprise people most. They come in expecting to be offered a gentle, low-dose option to protect their stomach — and instead find something that's both high strength and easy to tolerate. The two don't have to be in conflict when the right form of iron is used.
We've Also Added Vitamin B12
Iron bisglycinate is the foundation of the formula, but we've paired it with a meaningful dose of vitamin B12 — an addition that makes particular sense for those following plant-based diets, where both iron and B12 are commonly deficient.
B12 plays a vital role in red blood cell production, working alongside iron to support healthy oxygen transport. Including both in a single capsule makes this one of our most practically useful formulas — which is why we quietly refer to it in store as our Vegan Complex.
How to Take It
Iron is best taken on an empty stomach where possible, as absorption is enhanced away from food — though if you find it easier on the stomach with a small meal, that's absolutely fine with iron bisglycinate. Avoid taking it at the same time as calcium supplements or dairy, as calcium can inhibit iron absorption.
A small glass of orange juice alongside it is a worthwhile habit — vitamin C actively enhances iron absorption.
A27 Iron Complex — The Details
Our Iron Complex combines iron bisglycinate at twice the RNI with a therapeutic dose of vitamin B12. No fillers, no binders, no unnecessary additives. Available in store at our Haslemere wellness destination and online.
If you've struggled with iron supplements before, this is the one worth trying.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide — and iron supplements have a reputation, often deserved, for being hard on the digestive system. Apothecary 27's Iron Complex addresses both problems. A gentle, highly bioavailable form of iron, paired with Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin — formulated to support iron levels and red blood cell health without the constipation and discomfort that put so many people off iron supplementation altogether.
60 Capsules / 2 Month Supply