The Iron Conversation: why your iron levels won't shift
In Episode 5 of The Iron Conversation, Dr Libby dives deeper into the global iron deficiency crisis and why so many people — particularly women and children — are running on empty without realising it. Dr Libby shares the hidden reasons iron absorption fails, from gut inflammation and gluten sensitivity to mineral competition, and how choosing the right form of iron can transform your results.Whether you’re a menstruating woman, plant-based eater, athlete, or parent, this episode is your roadmap to rebuilding iron stores naturally — and feeling the difference in your energy, focus and mood.
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45:00
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45:00
The Iron Conversation: Strong through every season with Lana van Hout & Dr Libby
Athlete, running coach and model Lana van Hout joins Dr Libby for an honest, performance-led conversation about iron, energy and the female body.Lana shares her personal experience with iron deficiency during peak training — when running 100 km a week left her exhausted, sleepless and questioning why her body no longer felt like her own. Together, she and Dr Libby unpack how iron deficiency can quietly sabotage performance, recovery and resilience — and why so many active women mistake depletion for discipline.They explore what every runner and coach should know about comprehensive iron testing, the impact of hormones and pregnancy on iron status, and the fine line between pushing harder and truly nourishing your body.It’s a must-listen for any woman who loves movement and wants to stay strong through every season of life.
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54:29
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54:29
The Iron Conversation: Dr Oscar Serrallach and Dr Libby on postnatal depletion, iron and the hidden cost of modern motherhood
What if one nutrient could change everything about how you feel — from your energy and mood to how you show up as a mother?In this deeply insightful episode, Dr Libby sits down with Dr Oscar Serrallach, functional medicine doctor and author of The Postnatal Depletion Cure, to explore how iron lies at the very heart of maternal health, postpartum recovery and even a baby’s early development.Together, they unpack the biology behind the postnatal depletion epidemic — why so many mothers feel exhausted, foggy and emotionally stretched long after birth — and how modern “bounce-back” culture compounds the problem.From the misunderstood science of iron deficiency to the emotional toll of self-doubt, guilt and relentless responsibility, Dr Oscar and Dr Libby reveal how restoring iron levels can transform not only energy and sleep, but emotional regulation and the mother–child bond itself.Whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, navigating postpartum, or supporting a mother in your life, this episode is a powerful reminder that before we can rebuild wellbeing, we must first rebuild iron.
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1:05:22
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1:05:22
The Iron Conversation: Lara Briden and Dr Libby on hormones, mood & low iron
Dr Libby sits down with naturopath and evolutionary biologist Dr Lara Briden to explore how modern life quietly drains women’s iron stores — from teenage girls navigating hormones and the pill, to women moving through perimenopause.Together they unpack the triple whammy of low iron, hormonal contraception and antidepressants, the vital role of stomach acid in nutrient absorption, and how long-term PPI use can disrupt it.You’ll also hear about the fascinating link between estrogen, thyroid function and hepcidin, practical ways to advocate for yourself when testing iron and thyroid markers — and why ferritin-iron, the food-based form, is changing how we think about energy, absorption and women’s health.
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1:40:55
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1:40:55
The Iron Conversation: Why energy is just the beginning
Most people think of fatigue when they hear “low iron,” but the truth runs much deeper. In this episode, Dr Libby shares why she’s on a mission to shine a light on iron deficiency and explores how low iron ripples through the whole body – influencing mood, memory, thyroid health, immunity and even how calm we feel each day. Discover why energy is only the beginning of iron’s story.
Always tired? Brain fog that just won’t quit? Feeling flat no matter what you do? It might not be “just life” – it could be your iron.
Iron is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world, but it’s also one of the most overlooked. And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about energy. Low iron can mess with your mood, memory, hormones, sleep, workouts – even how well you handle life’s big transitions.