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Lucky Iron Life products are effective at improving iron status and reducing iron deficiency

Lucky Iron Life products are effective at improving iron status and reducing iron deficiency

as shown through independent clinical research in different groups of people across the world.

as shown through independent clinical research in different groups of people across the world.

Lucky Iron Fish and Leaf on counter with lemon halves

A sustainable and bioavailable source of iron

Vegan icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish
Vegan icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish

Vegan-friendly

5 year calendar icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish
5 year calendar icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish

Reusable and affordable

Side-effect-free tummy icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish
Side-effect-free tummy icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish

No reported side-effects

World gives back icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish
World gives back icon for the benefits of the Lucky Iron Fish

Gives back

Chart comparing daily iron intake requirements with iron released by Lucky Iron Fish
Chart comparing daily iron intake requirements with iron released by Lucky Iron Fish

How it compares to daily recommended amount of iron

Chart comparing iron content of common foods to a single use of the Lucky Iron Fish
Chart comparing iron content of common foods to a single use of the Lucky Iron Fish

How it compares to iron-rich foods

Overview of clinical findings

The efficacy of the Fish/Leaf has been tested in over 15 clinical and laboratory/hospital trials. The original work was carried out by graduate students who formed Lucky Iron Fish Enterprise but since that time, the trials have been carried out by independent research teams from different universities and NGOs from different countries around the world. The majority of these trials are randomized and controlled. References to key publications are provided below.

Studies have been carried out on infants (aged 1-5 years); school-aged children (aged 5-7 years); women of reproductive age (aged 18-55 years); and HIV-positive patients [men and women] (aged 15-35 years).

Regular use of the Fish or Leaf results in an improvement in iron status compared with controls. Most of the clinical trials have studied the iron on hemoglobin, a type of protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues and transports carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Iron is a critically important building block for each molecule of hemoglobin. If a blood test shows that hemoglobin levels are lower than normal, the person is referred to as suffering from clinical anemia. Although there are other causes of anemia, a lack of iron in the diet is the most common cause of anemia; known as iron deficiency anemia.

There are a variety of clinical signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia: in adults these can vary from relatively minor problems such as frequent headaches, poor hair and nail quality, pale skin, and difficulty concentrating, but the signs and symptoms can be more severe as the condition progresses. More severe problems include periods of dizziness, fainting and profound fatigue. In the most extreme cases iron deficiency anemia can result in complications in pregnancy and birth and even death. Children suffer from many of the same symptoms as iron deficient adults but critically iron deficiency can lead to physical stunting, delayed or permanent cognitive development and failure to thrive. As a pregnant mother is the only source of iron for her baby, a mother suffering from iron deficiency anemia will give birth to an iron deficient child.

Reversing iron deficiency anemia improves the health status of adults but the physical and cognitive impairment in children is permanent.

Iron is absorbed from the food and drink that we consume. When there is not enough iron in the diet then the body responds first by using up iron stores until it runs out of iron to make hemoglobin. Using the Lucky Iron Fish/Lucky Shakti Leaf on a regular basis boosts the amount of this vital mineral in the diet and helps reverse the problems caused by iron deficiency anemia. Preparing food or drink according to instruction releases a small amount of iron that fortifies the diet. The amount of iron released from the Fish/Leaf is small so there are no negative side-effects reported and the Fish/Leaf are compatible for people living with HIV and malaria. Because the level of iron released from Fish/Leaf is similar to the levels seen in fortification of food staples like flour or rice, the product is safe to use alone or in combination with other iron-enriching products.

The Fish or Leaf only reduces anemia if users are suffering from iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. This is why one trial in the Preah Vihear Province of Cambodia did not work because it transpired that the vast majority of the participants were not suffering from iron deficiency anemia, but anemia caused by a genetic condition.

It is important to remember that the Fish/Leaf is only helpful if it is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The efficacy of the Fish/Leaf has been tested in over 15 clinical and laboratory/hospital trials. The original work was carried out by graduate students who formed Lucky Iron Fish Enterprise but since that time, the trials have been carried out by independent research teams from different universities and NGOs from different countries around the world. The majority of these trials are randomized and controlled. References to key publications are provided below.

Studies have been carried out on infants (aged 1-5 years); school-aged children (aged 5-7 years); women of reproductive age (aged 18-55 years); and HIV-positive patients [men and women] (aged 15-35 years).

Regular use of the Fish or Leaf results in an improvement in iron status compared with controls. Most of the clinical trials have studied the iron on hemoglobin, a type of protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues and transports carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Iron is a critically important building block for each molecule of hemoglobin. If a blood test shows that hemoglobin levels are lower than normal, the person is referred to as suffering from clinical anemia. Although there are other causes of anemia, a lack of iron in the diet is the most common cause of anemia; known as iron deficiency anemia.

There are a variety of clinical signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia: in adults these can vary from relatively minor problems such as frequent headaches, poor hair and nail quality, pale skin, and difficulty concentrating, but the signs and symptoms can be more severe as the condition progresses. More severe problems include periods of dizziness, fainting and profound fatigue. In the most extreme cases iron deficiency anemia can result in complications in pregnancy and birth and even death. Children suffer from many of the same symptoms as iron deficient adults but critically iron deficiency can lead to physical stunting, delayed or permanent cognitive development and failure to thrive. As a pregnant mother is the only source of iron for her baby, a mother suffering from iron deficiency anemia will give birth to an iron deficient child.

Reversing iron deficiency anemia improves the health status of adults but the physical and cognitive impairment in children is permanent.

Iron is absorbed from the food and drink that we consume. When there is not enough iron in the diet then the body responds first by using up iron stores until it runs out of iron to make hemoglobin. Using the Lucky Iron Fish/Lucky Shakti Leaf on a regular basis boosts the amount of this vital mineral in the diet and helps reverse the problems caused by iron deficiency anemia. Preparing food or drink according to instruction releases a small amount of iron that fortifies the diet. The amount of iron released from the Fish/Leaf is small so there are no negative side-effects reported and the Fish/Leaf are compatible for people living with HIV and malaria. Because the level of iron released from Fish/Leaf is similar to the levels seen in fortification of food staples like flour or rice, the product is safe to use alone or in combination with other iron-enriching products.

The Fish or Leaf only reduces anemia if users are suffering from iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. This is why one trial in the Preah Vihear Province of Cambodia did not work because it transpired that the vast majority of the participants were not suffering from iron deficiency anemia, but anemia caused by a genetic condition.

It is important to remember that the Fish/Leaf is only helpful if it is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Published research articles

Lucky Iron Life continues to research the efficacy of its products in different contexts and in different parts of the world. Find the up-to-date academic and research articles below.

(2023) - Can Providing Daily Iron-Fortified Lunches to School-Going Children Living in an Impoverished Guatemalan Community Improve Iron Status?
- K. BEERMAN ET AL.

(2021) Impact of a Collaborative Childhood Anemia Intervention Program in Peru
- R. WHITNEY ET AL.

(2019) The Lucky Iron Research Overview
- LUCKY IRON FISH

(2018) Testing the efficacy of the Lucky Iron Fish® in reversing iron deficiency in rural, impoverished regions of Guatemala
- A. RODRÍGUEZ-VIVALDI ET AL.

(2017) Randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a reusable fish-shaped iron ingot to increase hemoglobin concentration in anemic, rural Cambodian women
- A. RAPPAPORT ET AL.

(2017) Dietary Factors Modulate Iron Uptake in Caco-2 Cells from an Iron Ingot Used as a Home Fortificant to Prevent Iron Deficiency
- I. RODRIGUEZ-RAMIRO ET AL.

(2017) Iron Release from the Lucky Iron Fish™: Safety considerations
- G. ARMSTRONG ET AL.

(2016) Commercializing The Lucky Iron Fish™ Using Social Enterprise: A novel Health Innovation For Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Cambodia and Beyond
- G. ARMSTRONG ET AL.

(2015) A Randomized Control Trial Using a Fish-Shaped Iron Ingot for the Amelioration of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Rural Cambodian Women
- C. CHARLES ET AL.

(2014) The Etiology, Treatment and Effective Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women and Young Children Worldwide
- G. ARMSTRONG ET AL.

(2012) Happy Fish: A Novel Supplementation Technique to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women in Rural Cambodia
- C. CHARLES ET AL.

(2011) Iron content of Cambodian foods when prepared in cooking pots containing an iron ingot
- C. CHARLES ET AL.

(2023) - Can Providing Daily Iron-Fortified Lunches to School-Going Children Living in an Impoverished Guatemalan Community Improve Iron Status?
- K. BEERMAN ET AL.

(2021) Impact of a Collaborative Childhood Anemia Intervention Program in Peru
- R. WHITNEY ET AL.

(2019) The Lucky Iron Research Overview
- LUCKY IRON FISH

(2018) Testing the efficacy of the Lucky Iron Fish® in reversing iron deficiency in rural, impoverished regions of Guatemala
- A. RODRÍGUEZ-VIVALDI ET AL.

(2017) Randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a reusable fish-shaped iron ingot to increase hemoglobin concentration in anemic, rural Cambodian women
- A. RAPPAPORT ET AL.

(2017) Dietary Factors Modulate Iron Uptake in Caco-2 Cells from an Iron Ingot Used as a Home Fortificant to Prevent Iron Deficiency
- I. RODRIGUEZ-RAMIRO ET AL.

(2017) Iron Release from the Lucky Iron Fish™: Safety considerations
- G. ARMSTRONG ET AL.

(2016) Commercializing The Lucky Iron Fish™ Using Social Enterprise: A novel Health Innovation For Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Cambodia and Beyond
- G. ARMSTRONG ET AL.

(2015) A Randomized Control Trial Using a Fish-Shaped Iron Ingot for the Amelioration of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Rural Cambodian Women
- C. CHARLES ET AL.

(2014) The Etiology, Treatment and Effective Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women and Young Children Worldwide
- G. ARMSTRONG ET AL.

(2012) Happy Fish: A Novel Supplementation Technique to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women in Rural Cambodia
- C. CHARLES ET AL.

(2011) Iron content of Cambodian foods when prepared in cooking pots containing an iron ingot
- C. CHARLES ET AL.

Lucky Iron Life participation in

Nutrition research events

Quality and safety assurance

Work has been published on the safety of the Lucky Iron Fish and Leaf (the Fish/Leaf). In addition, over the past several years, three independent, commercial laboratories have confirmed that the Fish/Leaf are safe.

The Fish/Leaf meets the Food Chemical Codex (FCC) standards, whereby all elements except iron were below the FCC standards. The products are made in one of the largest manufacturers in the world for high purity iron. It is also an ISO 9001, 14001, 22000 & OHSAS 18001 certified facility.

Every batch is tested to make sure the Fish/Leaf releases iron that can be absorbed by the body at a level that will not cause toxicity. We also make sure that there are no contaminants in the iron that might be harmful to human health. In addition to batch testing, we conduct random spot tests by independent laboratories.

The Fish/Leaf is made from food-grade electrolytic iron that is FDA certified and is approved worldwide for food fortification.

Work has been published on the safety of the Lucky Iron Fish and Leaf (the Fish/Leaf). In addition, over the past several years, three independent, commercial laboratories have confirmed that the Fish/Leaf are safe.

The Fish/Leaf meets the Food Chemical Codex (FCC) standards, whereby all elements except iron were below the FCC standards. The products are made in one of the largest manufacturers in the world for high purity iron. It is also an ISO 9001, 14001, 22000 & OHSAS 18001 certified facility.

Every batch is tested to make sure the Fish/Leaf releases iron that can be absorbed by the body at a level that will not cause toxicity. We also make sure that there are no contaminants in the iron that might be harmful to human health. In addition to batch testing, we conduct random spot tests by independent laboratories.

The Fish/Leaf is made from food-grade electrolytic iron that is FDA certified and is approved worldwide for food fortification.

To note

To note

Lucky Iron Fish is only effective when used daily (or at least 3 times a week) and the outlined instructions are followed. It takes 3-6 months to see a clinical increase in iron status.

Used properly, the Fish does not cause side-effects because it is gentle on your digestive system.

Clinical tests have also shown that the Lucky Iron Fish only alleviates iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia; it does not improve anemia caused by other conditions (e.g. Thalassemia).

All the batches of Fish are tested to ensure that the iron released from the Fish is consistent and safe and that no other compounds are released that might be deleterious to health. The Lucky Iron Fish is approved for sale in countries around the world.

Lucky Iron Fish is only effective when used daily (or at least 3 times a week) and the outlined instructions are followed. It takes 3-6 months to see a clinical increase in iron status.

Used properly, the Fish does not cause side-effects because it is gentle on your digestive system.

Clinical tests have also shown that the Lucky Iron Fish only alleviates iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia; it does not improve anemia caused by other conditions (e.g. Thalassemia).

All the batches of Fish are tested to ensure that the iron released from the Fish is consistent and safe and that no other compounds are released that might be deleterious to health. The Lucky Iron Fish is approved for sale in countries around the world.

Fine print

Fine print

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Carefully read all product documentation, and ask your healthcare provider if this product is right for you.

If you suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your regular health care provider.

Iron taken in excess can be harmful to both adults and children.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Carefully read all product documentation, and ask your healthcare provider if this product is right for you.

If you suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your regular health care provider.

Iron taken in excess can be harmful to both adults and children.