Are You Pumping Iron? Well your Heart Is.

Iron deficiency affects millions—and not all supplements are created equal. In this guide, we’ll explore:

• 🧪 The different types of iron used in supplements

• 🔄 How well each form is absorbed and digested

• 🧍‍♂️ What your body actually needs—and what it doesn’t

This is the first blog featuring Murdock, our science-backed guide to supplement literacy. He’ll help you navigate the facts, skip the hype, and make informed choices about iron that actually work for your body.

Murdock to Help.

“Not all iron is equal. Some forms absorb better, some cause fewer side effects—and some are just marketing fluff.” —Murdock

Types of Iron Found in Supplements

• Ferrous Sulfate
  Most common and affordable. Decent absorption, but often causes constipation, nausea, or cramping.

• Ferrous Gluconate
  Gentler on the stomach than sulfate. Slightly lower elemental iron content, but better tolerated.

• Ferrous Fumarate
  High elemental iron per dose. Effective, but shares GI side effects with other ferrous forms.

• Ferric Citrate
  Less bioavailable. Sometimes used in kidney-specific formulations, but not ideal for general deficiency.

• Iron Bisglycinate
  Chelated form bound to glycine. Highly absorbable and gentle—great for sensitive stomachs.

• Heme Iron Polypeptide
  Derived from animal sources. Absorbs more efficiently than non-heme forms and bypasses many digestive hurdles.

Murdock making sense

“If your gut’s been fighting back, iron bisglycinate or heme iron might be your allies. Ferrous sulfate? That’s the old-school bruiser—effective, but not always gentle.”

Iron Absorption: What Actually Works

Not all iron is absorbed equally—and not all delivery formats perform the same. The form of iron matters, but so does how it’s packaged.

A 2013 study published in Nutrients found that iron delivered in a liquid beverage was absorbed significantly better than the same dose in a solid tablet (source). That’s a big deal for anyone relying on supplements to correct a deficiency.

Key Absorption Factors:

• Form of iron (bisglycinate > sulfate > ferric)

• Delivery format (liquid > capsule > tablet)

• Timing (empty stomach = better absorption, but more side effects)

• Co-factors (vitamin C boosts uptake; calcium blocks it)

Final Takeaway: Iron Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Whether you’re dealing with fatigue, low ferritin, or just trying to optimize your stack, iron supplementation deserves nuance. Murdock’s breakdown shows:

• Not all iron types absorb equally

• Delivery format (liquid vs tablet) can make or break effectiveness

• Side effects matter—gentler forms like bisglycinate or heme iron are often worth the switch

• Science > hype. Always.

And with Murdock now in your corner, every product spotlight and educational guide gets a dose of clarity, trust, and plaid-powered insight.

Murdock’s Pick: Iron That Works in Harmony

Iron Complex Vitamin Supplement – 30 Tablets
A synergistic blend of iron bisglycinate, B6, B12, folate, zinc, and copper—formulated to support energy, cognition, and red blood cell production without the GI drama.

• ✅ Chelated iron bisglycinate for gentle absorption

• ✅ B-complex vitamins to reduce fatigue and support brain health

• ✅ Zinc and copper for metabolism and immune support

• ✅ Vegan-friendly and third-party tested

• ⭐ Murdock Rating: 👍👍👍👍 (Highly Recommended)

👉 Shop Now

“If your heart’s pumping iron, make sure it’s the kind that fuels your whole system.” -Murdock