What is the best iron supplement?
That depends on a blood test, not a brand, and VH Life is not one: it contains no iron, and that is deliberate: iron needs vary a lot (the NHS gives 8.7mg a day for men and women over 50, and 14.8mg for women aged 19 to 49), too much iron is harmful, and many people should not take it unless a blood test shows they are low. What VH Life does carry is the authorised claims around iron use. Vitamin C increases iron absorption. Vitamin A contributes to normal iron metabolism. Riboflavin contributes to the normal metabolism of iron. Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body. If you are tired and pale, ask a GP for a blood test before buying anything.
What does the NHS say?
The NHS says iron deficiency anaemia is usually diagnosed with a blood test and treated with iron tablets and iron-rich foods. It says taking 17mg or less of iron supplements a day is unlikely to cause harm, and that high doses over 20mg can cause side effects. Source: NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia.
Which authorised claims come closest?
In Great Britain a food or supplement may only make health claims that are on the GB register, worded as registered, for nutrients at 15% of the NRV or more per portion. These are the registered claims that touch this question and apply to VH Life:
| Nutrient, in one sachet | Authorised claim, as registered |
|---|---|
| Copper, 1mg, 100% NRV | Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body |
| Riboflavin, 1.4mg, 100% NRV | Riboflavin contributes to the normal metabolism of iron |
| Vitamin A, 900µg, 112.5% NRV | Vitamin A contributes to normal iron metabolism |
| Vitamin C, 900mg, 1,125% NRV | Vitamin C increases iron absorption |
Health claims apply as part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle; the pattern of use is one sachet a day.
Where does VH Life fit?
VH Life is a UK-made food supplement: one 11.8g berry sachet a day in cold water, with 87 active ingredients including 26 vitamins and minerals with declared amounts. It carries the claims above because it provides those nutrients at qualifying levels; it makes no claim beyond them. On subscription VH Life is £49.99 for 28 sachets every 4 weeks, which works out at £1.79 a day. There is also a 7-day trial (7 sachets, £12.99, one per customer) and one box of 14 sachets for £34.99, with free UK delivery. See the full label or the ingredients index.
If you take any medicine, ask your GP or pharmacist first. If you take warfarin, ask your anticoagulant clinic first: the sachet contains vitamin K, cranberry, co-enzyme Q10, ginkgo, turmeric and ginseng.
Questions people also ask
Why does VH Life have no iron?
Because iron needs differ by age and sex, excess is harmful, and the NHS advises a blood test before taking iron. A one-size daily sachet is not the place for it.
Does vitamin C help iron absorption?
The authorised wording is that vitamin C increases iron absorption. A VH Life sachet provides 900mg of vitamin C, so taking it with an iron-containing meal is consistent with that claim.
I'm always tired. Could it be iron?
It could be many things. The NHS lists iron deficiency, thyroid problems, diabetes and poor sleep among the causes of tiredness; a GP blood test is the way to find out.
Related
Sources
- Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register, 19 May 2026 edition.
- NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia, accessed 3 November 2026.
- The VH Life box, 7 October 2026 print.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. One sachet a day. Do not exceed the recommended intake. Not suitable for children, adolescents, or pregnant or breastfeeding women. VH Life is a food supplement, not a medicine. If symptoms persist, see your GP or pharmacist.