Iron is a mineral that supports oxygen transport as an essential part of haemoglobin in red blood cells. It also plays a role in muscle function, neurological development and cognitive function, and immune function.^1-3 Iron deficiency (with or without anaemia) is common worldwide, particularly among women with heavy menses, pregnant women, infants and young children, vegetarians and vegans, endurance athletes, and people with impaired iron absorption.⁴

Liposomal iron is an advanced form of iron supplementation in which iron is microencapsulated within phospholipid carriers called liposomes. This specialised delivery system is what sets liposomal iron apart from standard iron supplements and underpins its advantages in absorption and tolerability.

Enhanced Tolerability

Common iron supplements include iron sulfate, oxide and bisglycinate tablets. While these forms can help increase iron levels, they often have limitations related to absorption and gastrointestinal tolerance.

Iron sulfate, one of the most frequently used forms, is commonly associated with side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, and constipation.⁵ Unabsorbed iron sulfate may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms by promoting oxidative stress, which can exacerbate intestinal inflammation and damage mucosal epithelial cells.^6,7 Such effects may reduce treatment adherence and effectiveness.

Iron bisglycinate is generally regarded as a gentler on the stomach than ferrous sulfate. It is often preferred over ferrous and ferric salts, because it is less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation.⁸ Liposomal iron takes this a step further by encapsulating the iron within liposomes, helping to minimise direct contact with the gastrointestinal tract.

Advanced Bioavailability

The key advantage of liposomal iron is enhanced bioavailability – the amount of iron that is absorbed and made available for use by the body. Conventional iron supplements can interact with dietary inhibitors such as calcium, phytates and polyphenols which reduce iron absorption.⁹ Liposomal microencapsulation helps shield the iron from these interactions, enhancing efficacy.

Liposomes may facilitate iron absorption across the intestinal barrier through alternative uptake mechanisms, including endocytosis, vesicular fusion and diffusion across enterocyte membranes. In a randomised, controlled study of pregnant women with mild anaemia (n=100), oral liposomal iron produced greater increases in haemoglobin and ferritin levels than the same dose of oral iron fumarate, with significantly higher values observed at 28 to 32 weeks gestation (both p<0.001).¹⁰ This suggests that liposomal delivery can enhance iron bioavailability compared with standard oral iron formulations.

Overall, by improving absorption and reducing the amount of unabsorbed iron remaining in the gut, liposomal iron may support better patient compliance and clinical effects.

Who May Benefit?

Liposomal iron may be particularly beneficial for individuals with increased iron requirements or those who struggle to absorb or tolerate conventional iron supplements, including:

• Women of reproductive age (menstruating women)

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women

• Female endurance athletes

• Individuals lacking sufficient dietary iron

• Children (particularly those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] or breath-holding spells), adolescents and the elderly

• Patients experiencing fatigue; patients who have undergone bariatric surgery; or patients diagnosed with any of the following conditions: coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), restless legs syndrome (RLS), or psychiatric disorders

• Blood donors

These special populations have been identified based on clinical research. For more information refer to the Eagle Clinical Iron Monograph.

Raising the Bar with Liposomal Iron

With its combination of enhanced bioavailability, improved tolerability and protection from dietary absorption inhibitors, liposomal iron bisglycinate sets a new benchmark for iron supplementation, surpassing standard iron tablets.

References

1. Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron [Internet]. Bethesda: National Institutes of Health; 2025 [cited 2025 Oct 10]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/

2. Alnuwaysir RIS, Hoes MF, Van Veldhuisen DJ, Van Der Meer P, Grote Beverborg N. Iron deficiency in heart failure: mechanisms and pathophysiology. J Clin Med. 2021 Dec;11(1):125. DOI: 10.3390/jcm11010125

3. National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient reference values for Australia and New Zealand including recommended dietary intakes [Internet]. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council; 2006 [cited 2022 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/images/nutrient-refererence-dietary-intakes.pdf

4. Al-Naseem A, Sallam A, Choudhury S, Thachil J. Iron deficiency without anaemia: a diagnosis that matters. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 Mar;21(2):107-113. DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0582

5. Healthline. Ferrous sulfate: benefits, uses, side effects, and more [Internet]. San Francisco: Healthline; 2021 [cited 2026 Jul 7]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ferrous-sulfate

6. Werner T, Wagner SJ, Martínez I, Walter J, Chang JS, Clavel T, et al. Depletion of luminal iron alters the gut microbiota and prevents Crohn's disease-like ileitis. Gut. 2011 Mar;60(3):325-333. DOI: 10.1136/gut.2010.216929

7. Lund EK, Wharf SG, Fairweather-Tait SJ, Johnson IT. Oral ferrous sulfate supplements increase the free radical-generating capacity of feces from healthy volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Feb;69(2):250-255. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/69.2.250

8. Healthline. Best iron supplements in 2026, according to dietitians [Internet]. San Francisco: Healthline; 2026 [cited 2026 Jul 7]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-iron-supplement

9. Ems T, St Lucia K, Huecker MR. Biochemistry, iron absorption [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls; 2023 [cited 2025 Dec 22]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448204/

10. Khalifa SSM, Khidre AM. Comparison study of liposomal iron versus iron fumarate in pregnant women with mild anemia. Egypt J Hosp Med. 2025;98(1):360-366. DOI: 10.21608/EJHM.2025.406025