Why Are So Many of Us Iron Deficient?

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient imbalances across the world, and it affects people of all ages. The typical advice is “just take more iron,” but the truth is more complex. Iron balance depends not only on how much iron you eat, but also on how well your body absorbs it, how much you lose, and how effectively you can store and regulate it.

In this guide, we’ll explore the hidden factors that contribute to low iron, share natural strategies to improve absorption, and explain how whole food remedies like Iron Restore and Ancestral Iron can support you on your journey.

What Really Causes Low Iron?

While diet is important, iron deficiency can be driven by a number of interconnected factors:

Poor Absorption: Gut health, low stomach acid, and certain foods or drinks can block iron uptake.
High Losses: Heavy menstrual cycles, pregnancy, blood donation, or digestive bleeding increase demand.
Inflammation & Regulation: The hormone hepcidin rises in response to inflammation, preventing your body from releasing iron from storage.
Lifestyle Stressors: Chronic stress can affect nutrient utilisation and digestion.

This is why simply taking more iron — especially synthetic iron tablets — often doesn’t solve the problem, and can leave people frustrated with side effects.

The Forgotten Piece: Iron Co-Factors

For iron to do its job - carrying oxygen in your blood, supporting energy production, nourishing your nervous system - your body also needs several co-factors. Without these, iron may not be absorbed, transported, or used effectively.

Vitamin C – Enhances the absorption of non-heme iron from plant sources. (Found naturally in citrus, berries, and capsicum - and pairs beautifully with molasses in our tonic when mixed with juice.)
Copper – Essential for iron transport and the conversion of stored iron into usable haemoglobin. Liver, found in our Ancestral Iron capsules, is one of nature’s richest copper sources.
B Vitamins (especially B12 & Folate) – Needed for red blood cell formation. Abundant in liver and spleen.
Molybdenum & Zinc – Trace minerals that play a role in enzymatic pathways for iron utilisation and blood building. Present in organ meats like spleen and liver.
Synergistic Herbal Compounds – Yellow dock and dandelion root (in Iron Restore) not only provide plant-based iron but also support liver and digestive health, which helps improve absorption.

When you bring iron together with its natural co-factors, your body is more likely to actually use it, rather than leaving it sitting in your gut or causing side effects.

How to Naturally Support Iron Absorption

The way you eat and what you combine can dramatically change how well your body uses iron. A few simple strategies include:

Pair Iron with Vitamin C: Foods rich in vitamin C (like citrus, berries, and capsicum) can significantly enhance absorption of non-heme iron.
Choose Iron-Rich Whole foods: Red meat, organ meats, beans, lentils, dark leafy greens, molasses, and seeds are excellent natural sources.
Avoid Inhibitors at Mealtime: Tea, coffee, and high-calcium foods can block absorption if consumed with iron-rich meals.
Support Gut Health: A healthy digestive tract is vital for nutrient uptake. Probiotic-rich foods and a diverse, fibre-rich diet help maintain balance.
Cook in Cast Iron: Cooking acidic foods like tomatoes in cast-iron cookware can increase the iron content of your meal.

When Food Alone Isn’t Enough

Even with the best diet, some people still struggle to bring their iron into balance. This is where carefully formulated whole food supplements can play a role. Unlike synthetic iron tablets - which often cause constipation, nausea, or stomach upset - whole food iron blends are gentler, synergistic, and easier for the body to assimilate.

Whole food Support from Great Spirit

At Great Spirit, we’ve refined two unique iron-supporting products:

Iron Restore Tonic: An organic herbal recipe handed down by midwives, crafted with dandelion root, yellow dock root, blackstrap molasses, and spring water. A gentle, natural source of plant-based iron, without the harsh side effects of synthetics.
Ancestral Iron Capsules: Made from certified-organic Australian beef spleen and liver, providing highly bioavailable heme iron alongside a spectrum of supportive nutrients - nature’s most concentrated source of iron.

Together, these two products offer both plant and animal-based forms of iron, giving your body the holistic support it needs to restore balance.

Bringing It All Together

Iron deficiency isn’t just about what’s on your plate. Absorption, lifestyle, and how your body regulates iron all matter. By making simple changes - from food pairings to gut health support - and considering whole food supplementation, many people find they can restore energy, vitality, and balance in a natural way.

🌿 Ready to learn more? Explore our I ron Restore Tonic and Ancestral Iron Capsules Also save up to 25% with our bundle kits (1-3 month protocol kits designed to replenish your whole system)