If you are still not sure you are getting adequate iron, have your diet evaluated by a registered dietitian. Supplements vs. Food Iron supplements can do more harm than good, especially in men who are more likely to have a problem with iron overload than with iron deficiency. Iron supplements should be taken only with the advice of a physician in cases where iron deficiency or an increased need for iron has been diagnosed. During pregnancy low-dose iron supplements are commonly recommended because it is difficult to meet iron needs through diet alone. Some researchers believe all supplements or products containing iron and vitamin C should come with a warning label for people at risk of iron overload.
Iron supplements can also cause imbalance of other essential nutrients like copper and zinc.
The golden rule, still, is that it is best to get the nutrients your body needs, including iron, from the food you eat. A well planned vegetarian diet can provide adequate iron, minimizing the risk of iron deficiency. This provides the least potential harm to those at risk for iron overload. It is still too early to tell whether limiting iron in the diet will protect against heart disease. The importance of assessing iron status.