Some populations can benefit from taking iron supplements. Those who have inadequate access to foods rich in absorbable iron are the most obvious groups.
Children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age, especially during pregnancy, can especially benefit from taking iron supplements. Infants and adolescents have an increased iron demand because of rapid growth. Women of reproductive age may have an increased iron demand due to blood loss during menstruation. During pregnancy, rapid growth of the placenta and the fetus and the expansion of the blood volume causes a significant increase in the normal iron requirement. The body uses iron to make extra red blood cells and hemoglobin to transport oxygen for mother and baby during this time.
