“Iron isn’t just about energy
- taniap12234
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
When most people think about iron, they think about energy and blood health. But the truth is, iron touches almost every system in the body — including your mood, your digestion, and even your anxiety levels.
🧠 Iron and Mood
Iron is essential for making neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin — the brain chemicals that keep you feeling balanced, focused, and calm. Low iron can mean your brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs, leaving you foggy, irritable, or unusually tired. For some women, especially in perimenopause, this can feel like constant PMS — moody, heavy, and drained.
😰 Iron and Anxiety
When iron is too low, your nervous system can go into overdrive. Your body interprets the lack of oxygen as stress, and this can trigger restlessness, racing thoughts, or even panic. Some people notice their anxiety increases when they first start taking iron — because as your levels build back up, your body and brain are adjusting to the new balance. The good news: this usually levels out once your iron stores are steady.
🍽 Iron and Your Gut
Iron has a direct impact on digestion:
It helps your stomach produce enough acid to break down food.
Healthy iron levels support good gut bacteria, which influence everything from bowel movements to mood.
Too little iron can cause sluggish digestion and constipation. Iron supplements themselves can also cause constipation, but pairing them with fiber, magnesium, or vitamin C-rich foods often helps.
🚽 Iron and Bowel Movements
If your bowels have been sluggish, low iron may be part of the picture. Your colon needs oxygen and energy to move things along, and iron plays a big role in that process. Once levels improve, many people notice more regular and complete bowel movements.
🌱 Supporting Your Body Naturally
Pair iron with vitamin C (like oranges, berries, or bell peppers) to boost absorption.
Avoid coffee, tea, and calcium around iron-rich meals or supplements, since they block absorption.
Balance your diet with iron-rich foods: pumpkin seeds, lentils, spinach, and red meat in moderation.
Keep a gentle eye on your mental health — if anxiety spikes while rebuilding iron, it may just be your body finding its balance again.
✨ Takeaway: Iron isn’t just about energy — it’s deeply tied to your mood, your gut, and your overall sense of calm. Rebuilding your levels may feel bumpy at first, but once balanced, it can bring clearer thoughts, calmer moods, and better digestion
✨ Note: I’ve attached a few links to the supplements and supports that have personally helped me on this journey — like my EBMFER iron supplement and chlorophyll. These aren’t one-size-fits-all, but they’ve made a big difference for me.
🌿 My Personal Experience with Iron supplements
🌿 Chlorophyll: My Secret Support
One thing that has been a true staple for me is liquid chlorophyll. After multiple hospital visits and losing so much blood, it became part of my routine to help keep my hemoglobin levels steady. It’s not a replacement for iron, but I’ve found it gives my body extra support in rebuilding and feeling more balanced.
For me, chlorophyll has been like a quiet helper in the background — supporting my blood, giving me a gentle energy boost, and helping me feel less depleted while my iron builds up.
For the past couple of months, I’ve been taking EBMFER iron supplements to support my low iron. It hasn’t been an overnight fix, but I’ve noticed real changes as my levels are coming back up.
At first, I struggled with fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety that felt like it was running the show. But slowly, I’ve felt more steady — less of that constant “on edge” feeling, and more like myself again.
One unexpected bonus? My digestion has improved. I’ve always had to pay close attention to my bowels, but since being consistent with iron, things have been moving more regularly. It’s a reminder that our gut and our mood are more connected than we think.
I’m still on the journey, but seeing my iron numbers rise and feeling the difference in my energy and mood makes me glad I stuck with it.
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