Finding The Sweet Spot For Iron And Health
Wed Feb 04 2026
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Iron can be the spark for energy or the fuel for oxidative fire—and most lab reports don’t tell you which side you’re on. We dig into what really matters: tighter ferritin targets, how genetics and food shape absorption, and why the “normal range” can still mean higher risk for stroke, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and insulin resistance.
We start with the fundamentals—heme vs non‑heme iron, why absorption is so uneven, and how early CBC clues like a low MCV can flag deficiency before hemoglobin drops. From there we trace the other side of the U‑curve: iron overload. Hereditary hemochromatosis is more common than many realize and often hides in plain sight until liver enzymes climb, infections recur, or glucose control slips. We connect the dots between elevated ferritin and vascular injury, making sense of the research that links higher stores with stiffer arteries and greater ischemic stroke risk. The biology checks out: unbound iron drives oxidation at the artery lining and feeds pathogens when the immune system is under strain.
Practical steps anchor the conversation. If ferritin runs low, we look first for hidden blood loss—ulcers, polyps, or heavy menstruation—then replete with better‑tolerated iron options and supportive meal planning. If ferritin runs high, we outline safe ways to lower stores, from regular blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy to meal combinations that blunt absorption. We share evidence‑informed “optimal” ranges—women roughly 70–120 ng/mL, men 80–130 ng/mL—and discuss when altitude, lung disease, or inflammation can skew the picture. The result is a clear plan to move from reactive anemia management to proactive iron optimization for energy, heart health, and longevity.
Ready to check your ferritin and dial in your range? Listen, share with someone who needs a clearer path, and subscribe for more science‑grounded guidance. If this helped, leave a review and tell us your next step.
For video and Powerpoint slide deck: www.thehealthedgepodcast.com
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Send us a text Iron can be the spark for energy or the fuel for oxidative fire—and most lab reports don’t tell you which side you’re on. We dig into what really matters: tighter ferritin targets, how genetics and food shape absorption, and why the “normal range” can still mean higher risk for stroke, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and insulin resistance. We start with the fundamentals—heme vs non‑heme iron, why absorption is so uneven, and how early CBC clues like a low MCV can flag deficiency before hemoglobin drops. From there we trace the other side of the U‑curve: iron overload. Hereditary hemochromatosis is more common than many realize and often hides in plain sight until liver enzymes climb, infections recur, or glucose control slips. We connect the dots between elevated ferritin and vascular injury, making sense of the research that links higher stores with stiffer arteries and greater ischemic stroke risk. The biology checks out: unbound iron drives oxidation at the artery lining and feeds pathogens when the immune system is under strain. Practical steps anchor the conversation. If ferritin runs low, we look first for hidden blood loss—ulcers, polyps, or heavy menstruation—then replete with better‑tolerated iron options and supportive meal planning. If ferritin runs high, we outline safe ways to lower stores, from regular blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy to meal combinations that blunt absorption. We share evidence‑informed “optimal” ranges—women roughly 70–120 ng/mL, men 80–130 ng/mL—and discuss when altitude, lung disease, or inflammation can skew the picture. The result is a clear plan to move from reactive anemia management to proactive iron optimization for energy, heart health, and longevity. Ready to check your ferritin and dial in your range? Listen, share with someone who needs a clearer path, and subscribe for more science‑grounded guidance. If this helped, leave a review and tell us your next step. For video and Powerpoint slide deck: www.thehealthedgepodcast.com