I do try my best to have a good healthy well balanced diet, I am Vegetarian and am only too aware that I need to think carefully about the different food my family and I consume, to be sure that we are all getting all the vitamins and minerals we need. However, I do struggle with my Iron levels and have been diagnosed with anemia a few times.  It seems I am not the only one, Iron deficiency is actually the most common nutritional deficiency, it is estimated that approximately 90% of women do not get their RDA of Iron. I  do  include lots of Iron rich foods into my diet such as Tofu, greens, seeds, lentils etc, but Iron is well known for being difficult for the body to absorb. Only around 5-20% of Iron in our food is actually absorbed by our bodies.

Iron is an extremely important mineral and is needed to by our body for various reasons. It helps in the production of red blood cells and it also helps deliver oxygen through the body. Iron also plays an important role in ensuring the immune system works efficiently. Unfortunately the body regularly looses Iron, during urination and sweating for example.

During the times I have suffered from anemia I have been left feeling constantly tired and lethargic, there have been times when nothing seems to motivate me. It doesn't do much for my complection either and I am usually left with pasty pale skin. 

Over the years I have tried countless amount of Iron tablets with little luck. The majority caused me an upset stomach, constipation. The rest did either nothing or simply not enough. When I was pregnant with my second daughter I wad told I was anemic and put on prescription Iron tablets which did little to solve the problem. That was until I started taking Spatone and my Iron levels dramatically improved.

Spatone comes in a white and orange box. The front of the box gives the brand name along with the fact that this is a "100% natural Iron supplement" . The back gives some general information about Iron and the important role it play in the body along with some nutritional information in chart format. It states that the product is suitable for everyone, "Pregnant / post natal women, children over two years, adults and Vegetarians and Vegans". A Vegetarian society approved sign is displayed in the corner. Ingredients are also given, "natural water with a high content of Iron sulphate". There are a few general warnings such as keep out of children's reach and do not exceed recommended use.The box is easy to open by simply pulling the tab.

Inside the pack there are either 14 or 28 sachets depending on the pack size. One 20 ml sachet contains your RDA of iron, one sachet a day should be taken. The sachet is similar in style to the box, they are easy to open by tearing along the edge. I find the sachets incredibly convenient.  There is also a small information leaflet inside the box, which of course should be read thoroughly before using the product. 

"Spatone is simply iron-rich spa water from the mountains of Snowdonia, Wales." (spatone.com)

I tend to take my spatone around half an hour after my lunch. I take one sachet and empty the contents into a glass, I then add some juice (usually orange). I add the juice for two reasons, firstly vitamin C helps with the absorption of Iron. Secondly Spatone tastes awful by itself, it has a terrible metallic taste, but the juice really does help to disguise it. I am actually  used to it now and can barely taste it. It can be diluted with any fresh juice, except grape. I would also like to point out that certain drinks stop the absorption of iron ( eg tea ) so I tend to avoid these for a while before and after. The liquid itself is clear and doesn't really have a smell, not that I have ever noticed anyways.

These days I refuse to run low on Spatone supplies because I notice a difference in my energy levels and general well being if I go without Spatone for even a few days. In fact it doesn't take me long at all to begin getting the tired fatigue like symptoms. Whilst I am taking Spatone I feel like I have much more energy and am generally just more happier. I guess it could be a bit of a placebo effect, although I doubt this since my iron levels dramatically improved during my pregnancy when I started taking Spatone regularly. Unlike other Iron supplements I have taken in the past, I have never experienced any side effects whilst taking Spatone.

I would and have recommended Spatone to anyone who believes their Iron levels are low. 

Spatone can be bought in some supermarkets, chemists and health food stores. I buy it from Amazon on subscribe and save (one 28 sachet box gets delivered to me every month so I get a 10% off discount).



*Prices*



Holland and Barratt : (28) £8.65

Boots : (28) £8.25

Amazon: (28) £5.50

(Delivery charges may apply)