Why So Many People Feel Low in Iron & What Your Body Might Be Telling You

Hey, Sam here – Founder of Great Spirit

When my wife Ayana was struggling with chronically low iron a few years ago, we couldn’t believe how difficult it was to find a natural option that genuinely supported her without upsetting her digestion or feeling harsh on the system. That challenge is what led us to create Iron Restore, and its explosive success since then has opened my eyes to just how widespread iron issues truly are.

It almost seems as though every second person we speak to – women, men, teenagers, new mothers, tradies – is dealing with some degree of iron depletion. Many don’t realise it, because the signs can be subtle at first. But over time, small symptoms compound and we begin to feel less like ourselves without understanding why.

I decided to write this letter to bring some clarity to a topic I believe deserves more attention. My hope is that if you’ve been feeling “off” for a while, something here might help you join the dots.

Signs You May Be Low in Iron

Iron plays a vital role in how the body produces energy, carries oxygen, and maintains healthy blood. When it’s lacking, the effects aren’t always loud or dramatic. They tend to creep in gradually, showing up in ways many people simply accept as “normal.”

Some of the more common signs include:

Persistent fatigue – feeling tired no matter how much you sleep
Shortness of breath or dizziness during mild exertion
Pale lips or skin as the colour of the blood shifts
Cold hands and feet due to changes in circulation
Brain fog or low mood as oxygen transport affects cognitive clarity
Brittle hair or nails when the body prioritises more vital systems
Cravings for ice or unusual substances (a recognised behavioural sign)
Restless legs or sleep disturbances linked to iron-dependent pathways

None of these guarantee low iron, but together they often paint a picture that’s hard to ignore.

It’s Not Just About Iron Intake

One of the most misunderstood aspects of iron is that simply consuming more iron doesn’t always solve the problem. The body also needs to be able to:

• absorb it

• convert it into a usable form

• store it effectively

This is where the health of organs like the liver becomes important. The liver is central to nutrient storage, blood building, and metabolic processes that influence how well the body can utilise iron in the first place. If that system is tired or undernourished, iron can pass through without being properly integrated.

This is why some people take iron for years without feeling much different.

Two Natural Approaches We Believe In

Over the years, supporting thousands of customers, I’ve come to see that people tend to fall into one of two categories when seeking iron support:

1. Those who need a strong, bioavailable source of iron

These individuals want something potent, wholefood based, and easily recognised by the body. For them, we created Ancestral Iron – a blend of grass fed beef spleen and liver. It contains naturally occurring heme iron along with its supportive cofactors, as nature intended.

It’s a powerful option for those wanting meaningful nutritional support in a form the body understands.

2. Those who need foundational, gentle, system-wide nourishment

Others benefit more from tending to the entire system that relates to iron – the liver, digestion, and blood-building pathways. That’s what led us to develop Iron Restore, a herbal tonic based on traditional preparations used for generations. It’s not just iron; it’s a holistic approach that aligns with the body’s own intelligence.

For many people, this is where things finally begin to make sense.

I don’t believe there is a single “right” choice. It depends on what your body is asking for.

If Something Here Resonates

If you recognise some of the signs above, or you’ve felt like your energy has been slipping for longer than you care to admit, it may be worth exploring your iron status. Ignoring these signals rarely leads anywhere good. The body doesn’t whisper without reason.

If you'd like to learn more about our two approaches to natural iron support, you can explore them here:

Explore Ancestral Iron – for those seeking a high potency, wholefood source of naturally occurring heme iron
Explore Iron Restore – for those who want a gentle, holistic way to nourish the systems that influence iron

A Final Thought

We created these products out of necessity – first for our own family, and now for thousands of others. I don’t believe in shortcuts, and I don’t believe the body is broken. I believe it’s asking for what it recognises.

If your body has been nudging you, perhaps it’s time to listen.

With respect,
Sam Ryan
Founder, Great Spirit