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How nutrition works

Red blood cell formation

Which nutrients contribute to normal red blood cell formation.

Red blood cells carry oxygen and are formed continuously in the bone marrow. Some vitamins contribute to normal red blood cell formation according to EU health claims. Here you find them – with evidence level and sources.

Nutrients & foods

  • Evidence: strong

    Iron

    • Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin. [1][2][3]

      Authorised EU claim

  • Evidence: strong

    Vitamin B6

    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation. [1][4]

      Authorised EU claim

Sources

  1. 01European Commission · 2012Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and healthOpen source
  2. 02EFSA JournalIron related health claimsOpen source
  3. 03Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2016Daily iron supplementation for improving anaemia, iron status and health in menstruating womenOpen source
  4. 04National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary SupplementsVitamin B6 - Health Professional Fact SheetOpen source