As you might know, A Balanced Belly has expanded recently to take on guest-bloggers. One thing I really wanted to offer is reader reviewers; especially since I’m so aware that many products might not work for me, but might well work for others. So I now have a small group of bloggers with IBD and other gut conditions who will be testing out the latest products. First up is Natalie from The Spoonie Mummy She takes on Better You’s new transdermal iron spray and shares her Better You Iron Spray Review. Will it help her anaemia? Take it away Natalie…
I write about life and parenting with my chronic illnesses which include Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Crohns Disease, iritis and osteopenia. I was diagnosed with arthritis aged fifteen months and have battled chronic anaemia ever since. Many chronic illnesses inhibit the production of red blood cells in the body, leading to anaemia. For me, this was treated with oral iron tablets for many years, until I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease aged 26. I was then switched to liquid iron which is gentler on the stomach, but this caused vomiting and I now rely on iron infusions to keep my levels above the danger zone.
About Better You
Better You is a natural health company who specialise in nutrient supplements which are lost due to our dramatically changing lifestyles and diet. They specialise in finding the most natural products and identifying key ways that our body can best absorb them. Most of their products are vegan, vegetarian, coeliac and diabetes-friendly.
It is especially helpful to people like me who have Crohns Disease and struggle to absorb things in the digestive system. The inflammation caused by Crohns Disease in the stomach and intestines can inhibit the absorption of key nutrients. Surgery also results in less intestinal tract where diseased parts of bowel have been removed, leaving less surface area for absorption to take place.
They also make a Turmeric spray-you can read our review of it here
Better You Iron Daily Oral Spray
The daily oral iron spray helps to reduce the digestive discomfort oral iron supplements can cause, as well as being perfect for people with gut absorption issues. Each spray contains 5mg iron and is sprayed directly into the inside of your cheek, so is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. The recommended dose is four sprays per day and this can be taken at any time to fit in with what works best for you. The spray has a natural, baked apple flavour and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and also safe for use during pregnancy.
What I Liked
The sample arrived quickly for me to test and the staff at Better You are always friendly and professional. The spray is really easy to take. It doesn’t taste amazing but it could definitely be worse. It does not have to be taken during a meal or at a particular time, so I could leave it on the kitchen side and just grab it during the day at any point to using which makes it really easy and means I didn’t forget about it.
What I Didn’t Like
Occasionally I was left with a metallic taste in my mouth which wasn’t very pleasant and reminded me of the dreaded liquid iron I used to have to take. This did soon disappear when I had a drink or something to eat most of the time. Each bottle costs £9.95, which I do feel is a little expensive but if the product works well it is worth it I think. The bottle also seems to last quite a while which is good.
Did BetterYou Iron Oral Spray Work?
The first time I noticed a difference was when I went to Ste’s (my boyfriends) for the weekend and I forgot my spray. The fatigue really hit me again so I felt that it must have been making a difference.
The normal range for haemoglobin is
Men – between 13.5 and 17.5
Women – between 12 to 15.5
Mine is generally between 8 and 10 and the comment on my paperwork is often ‘abnormal but to be expected’. A week after trying Better You’s Iron Spray, I had a blood test and was really pleased when I went to my doctor to be told I was at 12.1!
This is the highest it has been for absolutely years. She asked me if I had been doing anything differently and I told her about the Better You iron spray and she said – whatever it is, keep doing it!
I was so happy with this result, as fatigue has really been getting me down the last two or three months. Knowing that my iron levels are decent is one less thing to worry about. I think the results speak for themselves really and would highly recommend this product to anyone struggling with anaemia, particularly if they are finding that normal iron supplements are not helping or causing further issues. A huge thank you to Better You and A Balanced Belly for letting me test this product, I will now be repurchasing myself to keep up the good work it is doing!
Better You Iron Spray:Where To Buy
You can buy the spray directly from Better You’s site. My readers get a special 15% off all items by entering the code BALANCEDBELLY15 and using this referral link.
You can also buy it from Amazon
Natalie received the spray free of charge for her honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links.
Hi, thank you for the review, I have bought this product and am hoping it works for me too! Please would you tell me if you take the sprays in four separate doses or four sprays all at once? It isn’t clear on the directions. Thank you.