How do ferrous sulfate and folic acid help treat anemia?

Stacy Wiegman, PharmD

Pharmacy

Taking an iron supplement and folic acid together promotes the production of healthy functional red blood cells. Ferrous sulfate is needed for the production of hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen. Folic acid is the man-made form of folate, a B vitamin that helps make and maintain new cells, including red blood cells.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Minerals

Our bodies need some inorganic substances like iron, calcium and chromium for proper health. If you're not getting enough of a particular mineral, there are a wide array of mineral supplements available. Often it is not as easy to take in or absorb minerals by themselves, so look for recommendations about taking supplements with a meal or seeing how supplements are frequently combined -- like calcium with vitamin D.

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