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

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.

 Natural Tips for Runners’ Resilience:

• Eat to compete: Load up on iron-rich foods and avoid the inhibitors

• Nourish your soles: Invest in cushioned, supportive shoes. Switch up terrains to reduce repetitive heel trauma.

• Go green: Hydrate with herbal teas like nettle, yellow dock, withania and rosehips- add a spoon of black strap molasses for an extra boost and gently support iron levels [3].

• Recover like a pro: Prioritize sleep, rest days, and breathwork to aid red blood cell repair.

Don’t let low iron slow your stride—fuel your body the naturopathic way and keep running strong! Book in with The Nutrient Naturopath for more information