Anaemia? Why iron supplements aren't always the answer

25 September 2024 by Miranda Corolis

So you’ve recently found out the reason for your headaches and tiredness is because you have anaemia. You grab an iron supplement from the pharmacy and start taking this right away. Except, maybe you don’t start feeling better. Or maybe the side effects are a bit more than you can deal with right now (constipation is no fun).

When it comes to anaemia, there are a few additional things to consider and some important reasons why that iron supplement might not be working for you:

🍊VITAMIN C

Your supplement doesn’t contain Vitamin C – iron and vitamin C are best friends. Iron can only be absorbed in the presence of enough Vitamin C.

👉🏼STOMACH pH

A less than optimal stomach environment – the stomach pH needs to be acid to enable the absorption of nutrients which includes not just iron and vitamin C but many other nutrients as well. Sometimes correcting the stomach environment can correct anaemia without the need for an iron supplement. PPI use can also mess with iron absorption.

💩CONSTIPATION

Your iron supplement is making you constipated – consider increasing your intake of dietary sources of iron instead. The most bioavailable sources of iron are heme iron, or from animal sources such as red meat, pork, poultry or seafood. Iron found in plant foods (non-heme sources) are not absorbed by the body as easily.

🥬OXALATES and PHYTAKTES

Oxalates found in leafy greens and phytates found in nuts, grains and legumes can inhibit the absorption of iron. Try cooking your leafy greens to reduce oxalates and soaking your grains, nuts and legumes to remove some of the phytates.

🪱PARASITES

The presence of parasites and pathogens - these little nasties consume iron and in response to these invaders, the body will prioritise production of white blood cells over red blood cells to help fight them off. The pathogen H Pylori can also affect the affect your stomach’s ability to remain acidic enough.

❤️‍🩹GUT HEALTH

Some gut conditions such as IBD, ulcers, polyps or Crohn’s can be causing your body to lose iron.

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