Nearly half of Brits admit to taking a supplement at least once a month in a bid to achieve optimal health.
But one of the UK’s most popular pills could expose users to potentially serious gut problems, an expert has warned.
Taking certain types of iron supplements more than once a day can cause diarrhea, constipation, and inflammation of the gut, which have been linked to diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
It could also affect how the intestine absorbs other minerals, Dr Ahmed Abd Elbary, a UK-based GP, said in a TikTok video viewed almost 550,000 times.
Research has long suggested that the supplement – taken in excess – could also increase the risk of bowel cancer which kills almost 17,000 Britons every year – and which is increasing in under-50s.
The pills, taken orally, may be prescribed by doctors for iron deficiency and purchased over the counter under the medical names ferrous fumate, ferrous sulfate, or ferrous gluconate.
Dr Elbary said: “It’s one of the most commonly prescribed drugs and yet everyone has been prescribing it wrong – even though the guidelines were changed more than two years ago.
“This should be taken once a day, not twice a day or three times a day.
“Sometimes taking one every other day is just as good.
“The reason is that when you take iron orally, it increases a protein called hepcidin, which blocks a transporter responsible for transporting iron from the gut to the blood.”
“This is high for 24 hours. Therefore, once you have taken iron once, any additional intake will only cause iron to build up in your intestine.
“This can cause intestinal inflammation which can lead to diarrhea, constipation and stomach pain.”
He added: “Also, if you’ve been doing this long enough and taking iron more than once a day, it can affect the gut microbiome, which can lead to insufficient absorption of other vitamins and minerals.
“There is very, very little reason to take iron more than once a day, so if you do, ask your doctor why.
“Chances are they are simply not up to date with the most recent guidelines.”
According to NHS guidelines, men should consume around 8.7 mg of iron per day, with women aged 19 to 49 recommending 14.8 mg.
Iron tablets sold over the counter in pharmacies for as little as £0.250 often contain around 14 mg per tablet. In the photo, stock image of iron tablets
Bowel cancer can cause blood in your stool, a change in bowel habits, a lump in the intestine that can cause an obstruction. Some people also experience weight loss because of these symptoms.
For women over 50, health services recommend 8.7 mg as they have probably stopped menstruating.
This mineral is essential for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen and blood throughout the body.
This means that adequate iron is crucial for a range of bodily functions, including general energy and concentration, gastrointestinal processes, and a healthy immune system.
Iron tablets sold over the counter in pharmacies for just £2.50 often contain around 14mg per tablet.
But the NHS also suggests that Brits “should be able to get all the iron they need from their daily diet”.
Red meats such as beef, lamb and pork are touted by dietitians as rich sources of iron, while legumes and dark green vegetables including lentils, spinach and kale are good sources. iron plants.
Research has long suggested that too much iron can put people at a higher risk of developing complications such as cirrhosis, diabetes or heart failure.
Excess iron can also lead to erectile dysfunction and loss of libido in men and impact a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Studies have also shown that high iron levels may increase the risk of bowel cancer by causing oxidative damage to cells.
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There are around 44,000 cases of bowel cancer each year in the UK and 142,000 in the US, making it the fourth most common cancer in both countries.
But cases are increasing among young people, an alarming trend that experts have linked to modern diets, chemical exposure and lifestyles.
Symptoms of bowel cancer include changes in bowel movements such as constant and new diarrhea or constipation, needing or feeling the need to poop more or less frequently, and blood in the stool.
Other common signs include stomach pain, a lump in the stomach, bloating, unexpected weight loss, and fatigue.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their GP for advice.
The disease, the third most common cancer in the UK, is the same type that killed Dame Deborah James. at 40 in 2022.
Although the vast majority of diagnoses are in people over the age of 50, rates in older groups have declined or remained stable, while diagnoses among younger adults have increased by 50 percent over the past 30 years. recent years.
Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half (54%) of bowel cancer cases in the UK are preventable.
Doctors have suggested that obesity, overuse of antibiotics, cell phone radiation and even invisible plastic particles in drinking water are potential triggers.