Try MAS Iron
7 Reasons MAS Iron Absorbs 4x More Than the Iron You're Taking
85% of the iron you're swallowing never reaches your blood. MAS Iron combines ferrous bisglycinate with 3 absorption enhancers to change that. 513 runners have the bloodwork to prove it.
Your Iron Failed You.
Here's Why.
Most iron supplements use ferrous sulfate, a cheaper form of iron that your body can't easily absorb. Here are some of the stats...
Barely a tenth of ferrous sulfate reaches your blood.
The rest passes straight through your digestive tract.
Of athletes quit within the first month of trying.
Runners struggle with iron supplements because only 10-15% of ferrous sulfate, the iron in most supplements, is absorbed by the body. The other 85-90% passes straight through your digestive tract.
That unabsorbed iron is what causes the constipation, nausea, and dark stools that make 60% of athletes quit within the first month.
Your ferritin stays low. Your runs stay hard. You start wondering if iron supplementation even works.
Iron supplementation works.
You just need a better iron supplement!
Made with ferrous bisglycinate, which is 4x more bioavailable than the iron your doctor prescribed.
Most iron supplements use ferrous sulfate. It's cheap to manufacture and it's been the pharmacy default for decades.
The problem with ferrous sulfate is that it breaks apart in stomach acid. This causes the iron to irritate the gut lining, bind to food, and get blocked by calcium, caffeine, and tannins before it reaches the small intestine where absorption actually happens.
MAS Iron uses ferrous bisglycinate. Bisglycinate is an iron atom chelated (bound) to two molecules of glycine, which protects it through the stomach. The iron you take is delivered intact to the small intestine with fewer GI issues than ferrous sulfate, ready to be absorbed.
Contains Alpha-GPC, which boosts absorption 4x compared to taking iron alone.
Researchers studying why iron from meat absorbs so much better than iron from plants found the answer: a compound called Alpha-GPC.
Alpha-GPC is a phospholipid found naturally in meat and dairy. It enhances iron absorption by improving transport across the intestinal wall, which is the step where most iron supplements lose the majority of what you swallow.
Research shows that taking Alpha-GPC alongside iron produces up to 4x the absorption compared to taking iron alone.2
MAS Iron includes 300mg of Alpha-GPC per serving. Check the label of Thorne, Solgar, MegaFood, Slow Fe, or any drugstore brand. Alpha-GPC isn't there.
Iron alone vs. iron + Alpha-GPC.
Adapted from Armah et al. (2008). Alpha-GPC restores the absorption advantage that meat-eaters naturally get from their diet, which is particularly relevant for plant-based runners.
3 clinically studied absorption enhancers that eliminate every absorption bottleneck.
Most iron supplements stop at the iron itself. Some add vitamin C. None combine all three.
Improves transport across the intestinal wall. This is the step where most iron supplements lose the majority of what you swallow. Alpha-GPC produces up to 4x the absorption vs. iron alone.
Converts iron to the form your body absorbs. Iron exists in two states: ferric (Fe3+), which your body can't absorb well, and ferrous (Fe2+), which it can. Vitamin C converts iron to the absorbable form and shields it from calcium interference. Adding 63mg to an iron-rich meal produces a 2.9x increase in absorption.
Broadens uptake at the gut lining. BioPerine is a standardized black pepper extract (95% piperine) clinically shown to increase iron bioavailability by 40%. This is the specific, patented form, not generic black pepper.
Each enhancer addresses a different bottleneck. Vitamin C changes the iron's chemical state. Alpha-GPC improves transport. BioPerine broadens uptake.
All three in the same two-capsule serving.
MAS Iron is dosed to replace what you're actually losing.
Runners lose iron through mechanisms that don't apply to the general population.
Where your iron actually goes.
Normal daily iron loss for a non-runner is about 1 mg. Runners can lose 4-7× that amount.
That's why general iron supplements can't keep up.
They are made for someone sitting at a desk, not for a runner actively losing iron through three additional pathways.
Clincal trials have consistently shown that a 60mg dose of ferrous bisglycinate produced the greatest increase in both hemoglobin and ferritin gains.
30% of iron-deficient runners are also B-vitamin deficient. MAS Iron covers both.
Absorbing iron is step one. Converting it into functional hemoglobin and red blood cells is step two.
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for heme synthesis, the process that builds the iron-containing protein inside red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is required for red blood cell maturation in the bone marrow.
MAS Iron includes both: 5 mg of B6 and 500 mcg of B12. One product handles the full chain from absorption to red blood cell production. No separate B-complex needed.
"I started one month ago and my iron went from 11.8 to 34.5 ng/mL. Huge gain in just a month."
"First iron supplement that causes no stomach issues. I'm finally consistent, and the needle moved on my iron labs."
"No bloating, no queasiness, even when I take it on an empty stomach. This iron absorbs so much better."
Shown in research to be significantly easier on the stomach.
MAS Iron has been proven in literature to reduce GI distress by 50%.
That's because unlike traditional iron salts that break apart in stomach acid, chelated iron stays bound to amino acids that protect it through digestion.
These amino acids act like bodyguards, escorting the iron safely through your stomach acid and delivering it directly to your small intestine where absorption actually occurs.
This bypasses the stomach irritation that causes nausea and the large intestine disruption that causes constipation.
513+ runners are proving it in their bloodwork.
If you've taken iron for months and watched your ferritin sit in the same place, you're not alone. That's the most common story we hear.
The second most common story is what happened after switching to MAS Iron. Labs that hadn't moved in months started climbing within weeks. Runners who had given up on oral iron because of stomach issues stayed consistent for the first time.
You're looking at a few of those runners right now.
4.9 out of 5.0 from 513 verified buyers. 221 doctors and dietitians recommend MAS Iron to their athletes without compensation.
Raise My Iron LevelsHow MAS Iron Compares
Three categories of competitor. Same iron problem. Different math.
Iron
Bisglycinate
Sulfate
No discomfort. Even on an empty stomach.
"No bloating, no queasiness, even when I take it on an empty stomach. I tried infusions every six months but that was getting annoying. This iron absorbs so much better than anything I'd tried, and the labs back it up."
Why You’ll Love It
Iron is notoriously difficult for the body to absorb and utilize.
In fact, iron bioavailability is estimated to be 14% to 18% for those consuming animal products and as low as 5% to 12% for plant-based eaters.
Unfortunately, most traditional iron supplements you’ll find on amazon or in Walmart and Walgreens use a form of iron called ferrous sulfate.
Ferrous sulfate is so common because it is a cheaper form of iron.
But, the cost of a cheaper sulfate comes at the cost of absorbability.
Studies have shown that your body can only absorb about 10-15% of iron from ferrous sulfate, with the remaining 85-90% staying in your digestive tract.
This is also what causes stomach issues.
And that’s why we’re different.
MAS Iron combines the most efficiently absorbed form elemental iron with clinically proven ingredients to aid in absorption.
Each ingredient tested alone with iron demonstrated the ability to enhance absorption by 30% to 400%.
This is why MAS Iron performs like no other iron product on the market.
- Designed to be absorbed quickly so they are gentle on the stomach
- Formulated to avoid the bloating you typically find with traditional creatine powders
- 100% soluble to eliminate water retention and increase absorption
- Delicious, convenient & easy to take with you so you stay consistent
So what you get is pure, fast-acting creatine that fuels your muscles, enhances your performance and helps you recover every time you train.
Ingredients
Chelated iron, such as the iron bisglycinate in MAS Iron, is iron bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine.
This form improves absorption because the two molecules of glycine block dietary factors like fiber from interfering with absorption.
The bisglycinate form is also more soluble, which translates to better absorption, which in turn decreases gastrointestinal side effects like constipation and stomach upset.
What does the science say about iron bisglycinate?
- A study in 100 anemic patients compared 120mg iron sulfate to 120mg, 60mg, and 30mg doses of iron bisglycinate daily for one month.
- 60mg iron bisglycinate for four weeks provided the best dose response in terms of elevating hemoglobin and serum ferritin (a protein that enhanced iron storage).
- The 120mg dose of iron bisglycinate resulted in 50% fewer GI side effects compared to the same dose of iron sulfate.
- A randomized, crossover study of the tolerability of iron bisglycinate versus iron sulfate found significantly more subjects preferred the bisglycinate form because it was less likely to cause GI upset.
“Ferrous Sulfate Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.
“Iron Deficiency Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Symptoms.” University Health News, 5 Mar. 2019.
Duque, X., Martinez, H., Vilchis-Gil, J. et al. Effect of supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate on ferritin concentration in Mexican schoolchildren: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J 13, 71 (2014).
Bumrungpert A, Pavadhgul P, Piromsawasdi T, Mozafari MR. Efficacy and Safety of Ferrous Bisglycinate and Folinic Acid in the Control of Iron Deficiency in Pregnant Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 20;14(3):452.
Milman N, Jønsson L, Dyre P, Pedersen PL, Larsen LG. Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial. J Perinat Med. 2014 Mar;42(2):197-206.
Alpha-GPC is a choline-containing phospholipid. When ingested, alpha-GPC is rapidly absorbed and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
It is most well-known as a nootropic for cognitive-enhancement purposes. However, research has also shown it can enhance the absorption of iron.
- One study demonstrated that taking Alpha GPC with a traditional iron supplement quintupled the absorption of iron.
- In another study, Alpha GPC was shown to increase iron absorption from foods.
Front. Neurosci., 24 June 2020 Sec. Neurodegeneration Volume 14 – 2020.
Armah CN, Sharp P, Mellon FA, Pariagh S, Lund EK, Dainty JR, Teucher B, Fairweather-Tait SJ. L-alpha-glycerophosphocholine contributes to meat’s enhancement of nonheme iron absorption. J Nutr. 2008 May;138(5):873-7. doi: 10.1093/jn/138.5.873. PMID: 18424594.
Vitamin C is perhaps one of the most-well known vitamins and minerals to help enhance iron absorption.
- In one study, adding just 63 mg of vitamin C to a meal rich in nonheme iron yielded a 2.9-fold increase in iron absorption.
- Studies have also shown the vitamin C can help enhance the absorption of iron when consuming calcium-rich meals (which has be shown to inhibit iron absorption).
The mechanism behind Vitamin C working so well to enhance iron absorption appears to be that it captures non-heme iron and stores it in a form that your body can absorb more easily.
Walczyk T, Muthayya S, Wegmüller R, Thankachan P, Sierksma A, Frenken LG, Thomas T, Kurpad A, Hurrell RF. Inhibition of iron absorption by calcium is modest in an iron-fortified, casein- and whey-based drink in Indian children and is easily compensated for by addition of ascorbic acid. J Nutr. 2014 Nov;144(11):1703-9.
Fidler MC, Davidsson L, Zeder C, Hurrell RF. Erythorbic acid is a potent enhancer of nonheme-iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;79(1):99-102
Ems T, St Lucia K, Huecker MR. Biochemistry, Iron Absorption. [Updated 2023 Apr 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
Lynch SR, Cook JD. Interaction of vitamin C and iron. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1980;355:32-44.
BioPerine is a regulated black pepper extract containing 95% piperine.
BioPerine has been shown in research to enhance the absorption of several nutrients and other supplements.
Specifically when it comes to iron absorption…
- BioPerine benefits cardiovascular function by increasing the uptake of iron supplements as much as 30%.
- Researchers believe this is because BioPerine enhances the bioavailability of iron supplements.
BioPerine is a great example of the cutting-edge ingredients found in MAS Iron you won’t find in traditional iron supplements.
Fernández-Lázaro D, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Córdova Martínez A, Seco-Calvo J. Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 24;12(6):1886.
Badmaev V, Majeed M, Prakash L. Piperine derived from black pepper increases the plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 following oral supplementation. J Nutr Biochem. 2000 Feb;11(2):109-13.
Lynch SR, Cook JD. Interaction of vitamin C and iron. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1980;355:32-44.
Vitamin B6 is needed for red blood cells to form and it’s needed for iron to convert into hemoglobin.
Thus, low levels of B6 can cause anemia and many other health problems.
Studies have also found that Iron and vitamin B6 together increase hemoglobin levels more than iron only.
Ghannam, M. , Hussain, S. , Osman, A. and Safwat, S. (2023) Iron versus Iron and Vitamin B6 Supplementation in Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia during Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Quasi Experimental Trial. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 13, 814-824.
Blood loss is one of the primary causes of iron deficiency. And given B12 is required for the production of red blood cells, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to a deficiency in Iron.
Supplementing with B12 can help negate any impact of low vitamin B12 levels on your iron levels.
How to Use
Take 2 capsules, once per day.
If you have your bloodwork done and you’re in your “optimized zone” then you can pull back to one pill per day as maintenance.
Because it’s difficult to absorb iron from the foods we eat, light supplementation is still recommended when you’re at your optimized levels.
It’s best to take iron as soon as you wake up or before bed, once per day.
This is because iron is not easily absorbed by the body, especially when it’s taken with other nutrients, such as grains, proteins, calcium and caffeine.
While the product itself has many ingredients to aid in absorption, it’s still best to take it outside of meal times.
4.9/5.0 513+ Happy Athletes
MAS Iron: The most effective way to elevate your iron levels
By simply taking 2 capsules of MAS Iron before bed, you can expect to experience:
- Improved Recovery from Your Training
- Amplified Energy During Training and Throughout the Day
- Decrease in Overall Fatigue
- Better Mood and Focus
Save Money & Stay Consistent When You Bundle
Moneyback Guarantee
Worldwide Shipping
Clinically Tested
1000+ Customers
Trust Us
4.9/5.0 513+ Happy Athletes
MAS Iron: The most effective way to elevate your iron levels
By simply taking 2 capsules of MAS Iron before bed, you can expect to experience:
- Improved Recovery from Your Training
- Amplified Energy During Training and Throughout the Day
- Decrease in Overall Fatigue
- Better Mood and Focus
Save Money & Stay Consistent When You Bundle
Moneyback Guarantee
Worldwide Shipping
Clinically Tested
1000+ Customers
Trust Us
Why You’ll Love It
Iron is notoriously difficult for the body to absorb and utilize.
In fact, iron bioavailability is estimated to be 14% to 18% for those consuming animal products and as low as 5% to 12% for plant-based eaters.
Unfortunately, most traditional iron supplements you’ll find on amazon or in Walmart and Walgreens use a form of iron called ferrous sulfate.
Ferrous sulfate is so common because it is a cheaper form of iron.
But, the cost of a cheaper sulfate comes at the cost of absorbability.
Studies have shown that your body can only absorb about 10-15% of iron from ferrous sulfate, with the remaining 85-90% staying in your digestive tract.
This is also what causes stomach issues.
And that’s why we’re different.
MAS Iron combines the most efficiently absorbed form elemental iron with clinically proven ingredients to aid in absorption.
Each ingredient tested alone with iron demonstrated the ability to enhance absorption by 30% to 400%.
This is why MAS Iron performs like no other iron product on the market.
- Designed to be absorbed quickly so they are gentle on the stomach
- Formulated to avoid the bloating you typically find with traditional creatine powders
- 100% soluble to eliminate water retention and increase absorption
- Delicious, convenient & easy to take with you so you stay consistent
So what you get is pure, fast-acting creatine that fuels your muscles, enhances your performance and helps you recover every time you train.
Ingredients
Chelated iron, such as the iron bisglycinate in MAS Iron, is iron bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine.
This form improves absorption because the two molecules of glycine block dietary factors like fiber from interfering with absorption.
The bisglycinate form is also more soluble, which translates to better absorption, which in turn decreases gastrointestinal side effects like constipation and stomach upset.
What does the science say about iron bisglycinate?
- A study in 100 anemic patients compared 120mg iron sulfate to 120mg, 60mg, and 30mg doses of iron bisglycinate daily for one month.
- 60mg iron bisglycinate for four weeks provided the best dose response in terms of elevating hemoglobin and serum ferritin (a protein that enhanced iron storage).
- The 120mg dose of iron bisglycinate resulted in 50% fewer GI side effects compared to the same dose of iron sulfate.
- A randomized, crossover study of the tolerability of iron bisglycinate versus iron sulfate found significantly more subjects preferred the bisglycinate form because it was less likely to cause GI upset.
“Ferrous Sulfate Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.
“Iron Deficiency Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Symptoms.” University Health News, 5 Mar. 2019.
Duque, X., Martinez, H., Vilchis-Gil, J. et al. Effect of supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate on ferritin concentration in Mexican schoolchildren: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J 13, 71 (2014).
Bumrungpert A, Pavadhgul P, Piromsawasdi T, Mozafari MR. Efficacy and Safety of Ferrous Bisglycinate and Folinic Acid in the Control of Iron Deficiency in Pregnant Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 20;14(3):452.
Milman N, Jønsson L, Dyre P, Pedersen PL, Larsen LG. Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial. J Perinat Med. 2014 Mar;42(2):197-206.
Alpha-GPC is a choline-containing phospholipid. When ingested, alpha-GPC is rapidly absorbed and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
It is most well-known as a nootropic for cognitive-enhancement purposes. However, research has also shown it can enhance the absorption of iron.
- One study demonstrated that taking Alpha GPC with a traditional iron supplement quintupled the absorption of iron.
- In another study, Alpha GPC was shown to increase iron absorption from foods.
Front. Neurosci., 24 June 2020 Sec. Neurodegeneration Volume 14 – 2020.
Armah CN, Sharp P, Mellon FA, Pariagh S, Lund EK, Dainty JR, Teucher B, Fairweather-Tait SJ. L-alpha-glycerophosphocholine contributes to meat’s enhancement of nonheme iron absorption. J Nutr. 2008 May;138(5):873-7. doi: 10.1093/jn/138.5.873. PMID: 18424594.
Vitamin C is perhaps one of the most-well known vitamins and minerals to help enhance iron absorption.
- In one study, adding just 63 mg of vitamin C to a meal rich in nonheme iron yielded a 2.9-fold increase in iron absorption.
- Studies have also shown the vitamin C can help enhance the absorption of iron when consuming calcium-rich meals (which has be shown to inhibit iron absorption).
The mechanism behind Vitamin C working so well to enhance iron absorption appears to be that it captures non-heme iron and stores it in a form that your body can absorb more easily.
Walczyk T, Muthayya S, Wegmüller R, Thankachan P, Sierksma A, Frenken LG, Thomas T, Kurpad A, Hurrell RF. Inhibition of iron absorption by calcium is modest in an iron-fortified, casein- and whey-based drink in Indian children and is easily compensated for by addition of ascorbic acid. J Nutr. 2014 Nov;144(11):1703-9.
Fidler MC, Davidsson L, Zeder C, Hurrell RF. Erythorbic acid is a potent enhancer of nonheme-iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;79(1):99-102
Ems T, St Lucia K, Huecker MR. Biochemistry, Iron Absorption. [Updated 2023 Apr 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
Lynch SR, Cook JD. Interaction of vitamin C and iron. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1980;355:32-44.
BioPerine is a regulated black pepper extract containing 95% piperine.
BioPerine has been shown in research to enhance the absorption of several nutrients and other supplements.
Specifically when it comes to iron absorption…
- BioPerine benefits cardiovascular function by increasing the uptake of iron supplements as much as 30%.
- Researchers believe this is because BioPerine enhances the bioavailability of iron supplements.
BioPerine is a great example of the cutting-edge ingredients found in MAS Iron you won’t find in traditional iron supplements.
Fernández-Lázaro D, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Córdova Martínez A, Seco-Calvo J. Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 24;12(6):1886.
Badmaev V, Majeed M, Prakash L. Piperine derived from black pepper increases the plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 following oral supplementation. J Nutr Biochem. 2000 Feb;11(2):109-13.
Lynch SR, Cook JD. Interaction of vitamin C and iron. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1980;355:32-44.
Vitamin B6 is needed for red blood cells to form and it’s needed for iron to convert into hemoglobin.
Thus, low levels of B6 can cause anemia and many other health problems.
Studies have also found that Iron and vitamin B6 together increase hemoglobin levels more than iron only.
Ghannam, M. , Hussain, S. , Osman, A. and Safwat, S. (2023) Iron versus Iron and Vitamin B6 Supplementation in Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia during Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Quasi Experimental Trial. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 13, 814-824.
Blood loss is one of the primary causes of iron deficiency. And given B12 is required for the production of red blood cells, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to a deficiency in Iron.
Supplementing with B12 can help negate any impact of low vitamin B12 levels on your iron levels.
How to Use
Take 2 capsules, once per day.
If you have your bloodwork done and you’re in your “optimized zone” then you can pull back to one pill per day as maintenance.
Because it’s difficult to absorb iron from the foods we eat, light supplementation is still recommended when you’re at your optimized levels.
It’s best to take iron as soon as you wake up or before bed, once per day.
This is because iron is not easily absorbed by the body, especially when it’s taken with other nutrients, such as grains, proteins, calcium and caffeine.
While the product itself has many ingredients to aid in absorption, it’s still best to take it outside of meal times.
Your questions, answered.
The objections we hear most, and the science behind the answers.
How long until I see a difference on bloodwork?
I've had stomach issues with iron before. Will this be different?
Can I take it on training days?
Do I need to take vitamin C with it?
Is it safe for women / pregnant runners?
References
- Duque X, Martinez H, Vilchis-Gil J, et al. Effect of supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate on ferritin concentration. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014; 68(11): 1238–1244.
- Armah CN, Sharp P, Mellon FA, et al. L-α-Glycerophosphocholine contributes to meat’s enhancement of nonheme iron absorption. J Nutr. 2008; 138(5): 873–877.
- Hallberg L, Brune M, Rossander L. The role of vitamin C in iron absorption. Int J Vitam Nutr Res Suppl. 1989; 30: 103–108.
- Badmaev V, Majeed M, Norkus EP. Piperine, an alkaloid derived from black pepper, increases serum response of beta-carotene. Nutr Res. 1999; 19(3): 381–388.
- Sangkhae V, Nemeth E. Regulation of the iron homeostatic hormone hepcidin. Adv Nutr. 2017; 8(1): 126–136.
- Sim M, Garvican-Lewis LA, Cox GR, et al. Iron considerations for the athlete. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2019; 119(7): 1463–1478.