Tired of feeling tired? It could be your iron levels
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Too young to be feeling this old? Fatigue. Brain fog. A constant sense of burnout. If you’re feeling this way, even after rest, it’s not just you. These symptoms are increasingly common, yet often misunderstood. While stress, poor sleep and screen overload are often blamed, there’s another critical factor that’s frequently overlooked: low iron.
And it’s not just about diet. Even people who eat well and take supplements can still have low iron - especially if their gut health is compromised.
The Iron–Energy Connection
Iron is essential for life. It helps your body transport oxygen and produce cellular energy. If you’re low in iron, your brain and body can’t function optimally. Common symptoms include:
• Physical fatigue
• Mental fog and poor focus
• Low mood and motivation
• Cold extremities
• Reduced exercise tolerance
Even low-normal iron stores (especially ferritin) can lead to these symptoms—long before clinical anaemia is diagnosed.
Gut Health: The Hidden Factor in Iron Deficiency
Iron isn’t easy for the body to absorb. Most absorption happens in the small intestine, and it’s highly influenced by the health of your gut lining and gut microbiome.
Even if your iron intake is high, chronic gut issues can interfere with absorption. These include:
• Inflammatory conditions (IBD, coeliac, etc.)
• IBS, SIBO or dysbiosis
• Low stomach acid
• Chronic stress or antibiotic use
Poor gut health can also increase inflammation, creating a vicious cycle that makes nutrient absorption even harder.
Traditional Iron Supplements Often Fall Short
Many people turn to standard iron tablets or supplements but these can cause side effects like nausea, constipation or gut discomfort. In some cases, they worsen gut inflammation, which in turn reduces absorption.
This is why many people with low iron don’t respond well to typical iron supplements - and why a more targeted approach is needed.
Lactoferrin: Smarter Support for Iron and Gut Health
Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring protein found in milk and the human body. It binds to iron and plays a key role in immune defence, gut microbiome balance and iron regulation.
Clinical research shows lactoferrin can:
• Improve iron absorption in the gut
• Reduce inflammation and promote gut healing
•.Help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria
• Avoid the GI side effects common with other iron supplements
A 2014 study found that lactoferrin was more effective than ferrous sulfate at improving iron levels—with significantly fewer side effects (Paesano et al., 2014).
Introducing IMMUNE SHIELD
At Virustatic Shield, we created IMMUNE SHIELD to strengthen your defences from within — a gut-friendly blend of 300mg lactoferrin and 240mg vitamin C that helps your body absorb iron, restore balance and build immune resilience.
• No fillers, sugars, or sweeteners
• Enteric-coated for delivery directly to the gut
• Designed for people who need real, effective support
• Backed by cutting-edge science
Whether you’re training hard, recovering from illness, experiencing brain fog, or simply feeling run-down, IMMUNE SHIELD can help restore your energy and resilience from the inside out.
The Latest Research: Iron and Brain Function
A 2024 study published in Nutrients explored how systemic iron levels influence cognitive performance—especially during transitional life phases. The researchers found that low iron was linked to slower processing, memory issues, and mental fog—highlighting iron’s critical role in brain health.
While this study focused on people going through hormonal shifts (such as perimenopause), the implications are far broader: brain fog might not just be mental, it could be metabolic.
What You Can Do
Ask for a full iron panel including ferritin, transferrin saturation and CRP
Prioritise iron-rich foods (e.g. red meat, liver, beans, leafy greens) with vitamin C
Address gut health—eliminate irritants, add prebiotics/probiotics, and reduce inflammation
Consider lactoferrin as a gentle and effective way to restore iron levels naturally
References:
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Systemic Iron and Cognitive Function
Mazzilli et al., Nutrients, 2024. PubMed -
Lactoferrin in Iron Deficiency
Paesano et al., Biometals, 2014. PubMed -
Gut Microbiota and Iron Absorption
Kortman et al., Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol, 2014. PubMed