Can You Take Iron and Zinc Together?

High doses of iron can reduce how much zinc your body absorbs.

MonitorEvidence: Moderate

What the interaction means

The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements' iron fact sheet states, in its "Can iron be harmful?" section: "High doses of iron can also decrease zinc absorption."

Why it may happen

Not further specified by the source beyond the absorption-competition effect described above.

Practical context

This is scoped to high doses of iron specifically, not typical supplement-label amounts, and no spacing interval is published in this source.

What the sources say

Last reviewed 2026-08-23

Medical information disclaimer: this information is general and educational. It does not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, or determine whether a combination is safe for you personally. Follow your prescription label and ask a pharmacist or clinician before starting, stopping, or combining products. Full disclaimer.

Related interactions