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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Iron vs Tongkat Ali: Iron has the stronger overall evidence (9 vs 6/10); they're alternatives for boost daily energy — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Iron wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
6 of 8 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
1 of 2 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Iron and Tongkat Ali have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
18-40mg elemental iron for deficiency (varies by severity) (a typical label dose, not the dose used in the cited trials, which used 60 to 120 mg a day)
On empty stomach if tolerated, Away from tea, coffee, dairy
Ferrous bisglycinate (gentle, well-absorbed) or iron protein succinylate
100-200 mg standardized extract (the cited trials used up to 200 mg a day). Label products go up to 400 mg, above that dose.
Morning, With or without food
Standardized root extract (100:1 or 200:1)
and 6 more not shown
2-4 weeks
4-8 weeks
4-12 weeks
4-12 weeks
2-4 weeks
2-4 weeks
Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024) · Meta analysis · n=48971
There is probably little to no difference in maternal death (2 versus 4 events, RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.12 to 2.69; 3 trials, 14,060 women; moderate-certainty evidence).
The Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis · n=1376204
The results showed that the prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA among pregnant women in China were 30.7% (95% CI: 26.6%, 34.7%), 45.6% (95% CI: 37.0%, 54.2%), and 17.3% (95% CI: 13.9%, 20.7%), respectively.
Treatment for women with postpartum iron deficiency anaemia
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024) · Meta analysis · n=4558
Intravenous iron versus oral iron supplementation The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of intravenous iron on mortality (risk ratio (RR) 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 71.96; P = 0.51; I² = not applicable; 3 RCTs; 1 event; 572 women; very low-certainty evidence).
Immunomodulation in Middle-Aged Humans Via the Ingestion of Physta® Standardized Root Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack--A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2016) · Rct · n=84
Eighty-four of 126 screened middle-aged Japanese subjects took 200 mg/day of TA or rice-powder placebo for 4 weeks. 81 were analysed (40 TA, 41 placebo).
[Literature research and discussion on properties of a new oversea-introduced traditional Chinese medicine Malaysian ginseng(Tongkat Ali)]
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (2024) · Review
Narrative literature review assigning traditional Chinese medicine properties to Tongkat Ali. It reports no search method and tests no outcome.
Effect of Eurycoma longifolia standardised aqueous root extract-Physta® on testosterone levels and quality of life in ageing male subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study
Food & Nutrition Research (2021) · Rct · n=105
105 men aged 50-70 with testosterone <300 ng/dL took Physta 100 mg, 200 mg or placebo daily for 12 weeks.
The dose points come from one randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 105 men aged 50 to 70 with low testosterone (PMID 34262417), who took 100 mg or 200 mg a day of a standardised water extract (Physta) for 12 weeks. Total testosterone rose more than on placebo at week 12 with 100 mg, and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 with 200 mg. The trial did not report that 200 mg beat 100 mg directly, so no optimal dose is given. It found no clinically relevant safety changes at either dose, which is why the ceiling is 200 mg. An uncontrolled study of 76 men with late-onset hypogonadism also used 200 mg a day for a month and found testosterone rose (PMID 21671978). A meta-analysis of 5 trials found a significant rise in total testosterone (PMID 36013514) but does not compare doses.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Iron has a higher evidence score (9/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For boost daily energy, Iron has a higher relevance score (90 vs 65).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
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The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.