Iron Infusions: A Quick Fix or Is There More to Consider?

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, particularly affecting women, vegetarians, and those with chronic health conditions (World Health Organization, 2020). When oral supplements aren’t effective or tolerated, iron infusions are often recommended as a rapid solution. While they provide clear benefits, it's important to consider potential side effects—and whether a holistic approach may offer a longer-term solution.

Antinutrients: friend or enemy?

Antinutrients are natural compounds found in many plant-based foods that can interfere with the absorption of essential minerals like iron. While these compounds serve protective roles for plants, in humans, they can impact nutrient bioavailability, particularly non-heme iron—the form found in plant foods.

So, for those with low iron, this is not great- for those with high iron- they can reduce absorption and that can be good!

“Heel Tap Anaemia”: When Your Passion for Running Runs off with Your Iron

Love pounding the pavement but feeling run down? You might be dealing with

 Heel Tap Anaemia—a lesser-known but very real condition also called

Distance Runners’ Anaemia.

 It happens when repetitive heel strikes during long-distance runs actually destroys red blood cells in your feet—a process called foot-strike haemolysis [1].

Combine that with iron loss from sweat, digestive stress, and high training loads, and boom—you’ve got fatigue, shortness of breath, and sluggish recovery.

But don’t hang up your sneakers just yet! Naturopathic care can help you run smarter, not weaker.