This study is hosted on Efforia under the Minimal Risk Citizen Science Umbrella Protocol. It is authored by the study authors listed below and run on the Efforia platform. The methodology for this protocol is a single-arm, longitudinal design where participants act as their own control (“Signal Phase”). Matthew Amsden is the Principal Investigator, with Dr. Viral Patel serving as the Sub-Investigator overseeing safety and adverse events.

While Efforia did not author this study, Efforia collaborates with the providers of the products and services included in this study. When you purchase the required items, Efforia takes a transaction fee, making this study possible.

While you could buy these products separately for a similar cost, Efforia bundles everything into one convenient purchase and adjusts your costs based on the products you’ve already purchased. We organize and provide instructions to create a seamless, data-driven research experience.

This setup helps you track your progress and understand how the products and services in this study impact your life through detailed outcome reports. It empowers you to make informed decisions about future purchases and the use of your time.

Your participation also contributes to valuable generalizable research findings, benefiting others who might not be able to afford such opportunities without guaranteed results.

Equitable inclusion: If the cost is a concern, click the Efforia logo at the top of the page to explore other protocols. We offer a range of studies at different price points, including free options.

Study title: Evaluating Heart & Soil’s Lifeblood on Iron and Energy Levels (90 days).

Why this study is being conducted: Many iron supplements rely on isolated compounds (e.g., ferrous sulfate) that can be harsh on the gastrointestinal tract and variably absorbed. This study evaluates a whole-food, organ-based supplement approach—Heart & Soil Lifeblood—to explore whether it supports healthy iron status and perceived energy in everyday life.

Aims and contributions: The primary aim is to assess change in iron status and perceived fatigue/energy over 90 days of Lifeblood use in generally healthy adults. Findings will add real-world evidence to the limited literature on organ-based nutrition for iron support and may inform future randomized or controlled trials.

Products & services (definitions):

• Lifeblood – Iron Supporting Supplement: A whole-food supplement composed of freeze-dried, grass-fed bovine whole blood (1,000 mg), liver (1,000 mg), and spleen (1,000 mg) per serving. These organs naturally contain iron and other bioactive compounds that may support red blood cell formation, oxygen transport, and vitality.
• Iron Panel QuickDraw Blood Test: An at-home capillary blood collection service utilizing the Tasso QuickDraw device. The panel typically measures Ferritin and Serum Iron; additional derived or available indices may include Total Iron Binding Capacity, Transferrin Saturation, and Hemoglobin when provided by the lab. Samples are mailed to a certified laboratory; results are delivered online.

Outcome measures (definitions):

• Iron and Ferritin Blood Levels: Objective biomarkers of iron status. Ferritin reflects stored iron; serum iron reflects circulating iron bound to transferrin.
• Fatigue Perception and Impact Survey: A participant-reported questionnaire assessing perceived energy, fatigue, and functional impact over time.

Methodology overview: Single-arm, longitudinal (participants serve as their own control). Pre- and post-comparison of iron markers with serial surveys to track perceived energy/fatigue. If a positive signal is observed, subsequent controlled trials may be pursued.

While participating in this research study, you will need to:

• Be willing and able to follow the study directions and procedures
• Tell Efforia about any side effects or problems by communicating with help@efforia.com or online chat.
• Ask questions as you think of them, via help@efforia.com or online chat.
• Inform Efforia if you change your mind about staying in the study. You may leave the study at any time by communicating with help@efforia.com or chat.

Enrollment and setup: After you complete enrollment, submit payment (if the protocol cost is greater than $0), and enter your personal details, shipping information (applicable because products and services are included), and communication preferences, you will receive instructions for the following activities:

• Baseline: Complete the Iron Panel QuickDraw at home (Day 1) and the Baseline Fatigue Perception and Impact Survey.
• Daily routine (Days 1–90): Take six (6) Lifeblood capsules each morning with a beverage; record adherence when prompted.
• Follow-up surveys: Complete the Fatigue Perception and Impact Survey every other week (approximately six total).
• Endline testing (around Day 90): Complete the Iron Panel QuickDraw again and any final surveys.

You can review your personal results within Efforia as they become available and compare Day 90 outcomes to your baseline.

Every research study involves risks, discomforts, and potential benefits. Below we outline possible side effects and special situations that may increase risk, as well as potential benefits. Please read carefully and consider your own circumstances before enrolling.

Possible Serious Adverse Events & Side Effects

Risk name	Risk likelihood	Summary
Iron Overload (in predisposed individuals)	Low–Medium (unknown in general population)	Whole-food iron sources may elevate iron stores; those with iron regulation disorders could accumulate excess iron.
Allergic Reaction	Low	Organ-based ingredients may trigger reactions in individuals allergic or sensitive to bovine products.
Gastrointestinal Upset	Low–Medium	Nausea, cramping, or changes in bowel habits can occur with new supplements.
Device-related Discomfort (at-home blood draw)	Low	Minor pain, bruising, dizziness, or faintness can occur with capillary blood collection.
Medication/Supplement Interactions	Unknown	Iron-containing products can interact with certain medications or other supplements, affecting absorption or effect.
Survey Fatigue	Low	Repeated questionnaires may feel burdensome or cause mild frustration.
Privacy/Confidentiality Risks	Low	While protections are in place, no system can guarantee zero risk of unauthorized access.

Some People May be at Increased Risk

Some people may be at increased risk from this study and should not join before speaking with a qualified health professional who knows your history. Without such approval, Efforia strongly encourages you not to join the study or use the associated products and services outside the study.

Who	Why
Individuals with Hemochromatosis or Iron Overload Disorders	Lifeblood contains iron; those with impaired iron regulation can develop excess iron.
Individuals on Iron-related Medications	Additional iron may interfere with or amplify the effects of existing therapies.
Individuals with Severe Food or Bovine Allergies	Organ extracts may provoke allergic reactions.
Individuals with Gastrointestinal Disorders (e.g., IBS)	New supplements can aggravate GI symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Individuals with Certain Mental Health Conditions	Participation burden may increase stress, frustration, or irritability.
Competitive Athletes	Must ensure compliance with sport-specific supplement regulations.
Pregnant, Trying to Become Pregnant, or Breastfeeding	Limited research on organ extracts in these groups; consult a clinician before use.

Consider your Own Risk-Benefit Comfort Level

Carefully weigh potential risks and benefits in light of your personal health, goals, and tolerance for uncertainty. As a participant-sponsored study, we place more responsibility on you to decide whether this is a good fit than in a traditional sponsor-run trial.

It is possible that not all risks and benefits are currently known. Participants have the responsibility to consult with their healthcare providers and conduct further research before enrolling in the study.

Privacy & Security Risks

We take extensive steps to protect your data privacy and confidentiality; however, no system is entirely without risk. Please review the Efforia Privacy Policy: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy/.

• We may contact local help if we believe you could be a danger to yourself and/or others.
• Regulators (e.g., FDA or similar), the Efforia Institutional Review Board, or other oversight bodies may review records that include your identifying information.

The Possible Benefits of Participating — Personal and Overall Findings

Efforia will provide personal outcome reports (e.g., your iron markers and survey trends) and share overall study findings as they become available. These results may inform your interest in continuing the protocol. Participation is voluntary; you may withdraw at any time by emailing help@efforia.com.

There is a possibility that you will experience no measurable benefit, including reports indicating no observable impact of the intervention.

First: Seek local, in-person medical care immediately if needed. Efforia cannot provide emergency medical care or diagnosis.

After you receive any necessary treatment, please contact Efforia about any problems, side effects, or study-related injuries so we can assess risks and inform other participants: help@efforia.com.

Study-related injury care and compensation

Efforia is not able to offer financial compensation nor to absorb the costs of medical treatment should you be injured as a result of participating in this research. Efforia makes no commitment to provide free medical care or payment for any unfavorable outcomes resulting from participation in this research.

In the case of medical emergency

In the case of medical emergency, dial 911 immediately. Do not attempt to contact Efforia until after the emergency has passed. Access local, in-person medical assistance immediately.

If at any time you feel you may be a danger to yourself or others, dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Help is available.

Because this is a research study, the main alternative is not to participate. If this study does not fit your needs or budget, you may explore other Efforia protocols by clicking the Efforia logo at the top of the page; options at different price points, including free studies, are available.

Ethical Considerations: Efforia upholds high ethical standards comparable to academic and pharmaceutical research while hosting (not sponsoring) this study. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without adverse consequences. You are not giving up any legal rights by agreeing to participate.

Privacy and Confidentiality

You have a right to privacy and confidentiality in this research effort. Your personal information is protected through measures designed to ensure anonymity or confidentiality, and data processing safeguards against unauthorized access and misuse.

The researchers will only use and share information that is needed for the study and will protect your information as required by law. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed because persons outside the study team may need to review your records for oversight. The Efforia Institutional Review Board and other agencies that review and monitor research may access your study records to ensure the study is conducted properly.

Right to Your Own Results

You have the right to a complete explanation of the research once your involvement concludes, particularly if the study involves any form of placebo, control, or masking.

The Right to Leave a Study without Penalty at Any Time

If you decide to withdraw, you can do so at any time by visiting your Profile page, selecting “Your Protocols,” and clicking “Leave.” You will be refunded for any consumable products not yet shipped; non-consumable products are refunded upon return per our return policy.

Participant Rights (Required Language)

Your participation in this research study is voluntary. Refusing to participate will not alter your usual health care or involve any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled. If you decide to join the study, you may withdraw at any time and for any reason without penalty or loss of benefits.

New Information and Study Results (Required Language)

If information generated from this study is published or presented, your identity will not be revealed. If new information becomes available that may affect the risk or benefit of this study or your willingness to participate, you will be notified so that you can decide whether or not to continue.

Confidentiality & Privacy (Required Language)

The researchers will only use and share information that is needed for the study. The researchers will protect your information, as required by law. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed because persons outside the study team may need to look at your study records. The Efforia Institutional Review Board may review your study records, as may other oversight bodies. The purpose of using and sharing your information is to make sure the study is done properly. By signing this consent form, you are giving permission for Efforia to use and share your health information. If you decide not to sign the form, you cannot be in the study.

As part of our commitment to ethical conduct and transparency in this participant-sponsored clinical study, we disclose the following: Efforia serves solely as the platform provider and does not sponsor or influence the study outcomes.

How Efforia makes money on this protocol: Efforia takes a transaction fee on the products and services included in this protocol. Otherwise, we have no financial interest in the intervention or its results. To reduce potential conflicts, if you do not complete enrollment we will remind you once; we do not re-market or pressure you to join.

How We Reduce Conflicts of Interest

Participants must not have a financial relationship with the intervention or measurement providers used in the trial and must not be employees, investors, stakeholders, or protocol authors associated with these entities. Such conflicts can compromise study integrity and validity.

Consequences of Conflict of Interest Non-Compliance

If a conflict of interest is not disclosed or is discovered after enrollment, the participant may be immediately suspended from the platform and payments may not be refunded.

By joining this trial, you affirm that you understand the above conflict of interest restrictions and agree to comply fully with them. Your participation is valued, and your adherence to these guidelines ensures the validity and reliability of our collective scientific efforts.

Collection & use: We collect data you provide (e.g., surveys), device/lab data (e.g., Iron Panel QuickDraw results), and activity logs related to study tasks. Data are used to show your personal results, to generate aggregated outcomes (with identifiers removed or minimized), to improve study quality and safety, and to meet legal/ethical obligations.

Protection: We implement organizational, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to protect your data from unauthorized access or misuse. For details, see the Efforia Privacy Policy: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy/.

What you can do to improve your privacy and security

As part of participating, you may receive notifications via e-mail, SMS, or push when new study tasks are ready. You can adjust communication preferences in Efforia at any time. If you do not want notifications, do not press the Accept button to join. Protect your devices and accounts with passwords/PINs and avoid sharing your login information. Learn more here: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy/.

Who will have access to your data?

Efforia personnel will have access as needed to operate the study. Certain partners (e.g., certified laboratories, connected health device providers) may also access data necessary to deliver their services.

What will we do with your data?

We will present your personal results to you and pool de-identified or minimized data across participants to produce general outcomes. We will not use your information in a way that connects it to your name or directly identifies you without your permission, unless required by law or oversight bodies.

If you are a California resident participating in research, you may have additional rights under California law (often referred to as the “Research Subject’s Bill of Rights”). For information about how Efforia protects your privacy and supports these rights, please review our Privacy Policy: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy/. If you have questions about your rights, you may also contact the Efforia IRB at ethics@efforia.com.

This study has been reviewed by the Efforia Institutional Review Board (IRB), a group of independent experts who help protect the rights, safety, and well-being of research participants. If you have questions about your rights as a participant, or would like to speak with someone outside the research team, you can contact the IRB at ethics@efforia.com ETHICS@EFFORIA.COM

Participant engagement length: 90 days

Included products & services: Lifeblood – Iron Supporting Supplement; Iron Panel QuickDraw Blood Test

Cost to participant: $384 (may be adjusted by prior purchases/credits; first 100 participants may receive free lab testing as noted)

Methodology: Single-arm longitudinal; participants serve as their own control

Outcome measures: Iron and Ferritin blood levels; Fatigue Perception and Impact Survey

Study authors: Dillon Randolph, Jennifer Reding, Jonathan Lawler, Matthew Amsden

Principal Investigator: Matthew Amsden

Sub-Investigator for Adverse Events: Dr. Viral Patel

Dissemination plan: Basic; results may be listed on ClinicalTrials.gov

Human oversight: Efforia IRB review under the Minimal Risk Citizen Science Umbrella Protocol