12/10/2025
Is a bit of a long video (3 mins), 😅oops! Anyway! Enjoy learning some new facts about in the body, especiallly the last one….
World iron awareness week - athlete edition
3 facts you may not know about iron.
Why we need Iron: Iron is fundamentally important to the optimal function of all athletes, given its crucial role in functions like, oxygen transport, cellular energy production, incorporation of iron into new tissues and cells from training, but also for cognitive processing, and many other essential functions.
1. Athletes lose iron from body stores from exercise-associated iron losses including the following that contribute to the high prevalence of low iron stores commonly seen in athletes:
* Sweat
* Haemolysis including (footstrike or repetitive landing)
* Urine & poo
* Gastrointestinal bleeding from high intensity exercise
* Menstruation losses
2. Male athletes are also at risk of low iron stores! Low iron stores or low ferrin levels are NOT just a female issue. Research suggests that 3 to 20% of male athletes have lower than optimal iron stores. It is more commonly seen in endurance activities like running and triathlon.
3. Low iron stores and iron deficiency are linked with higher incidence of bone issues, like stress reactions and stress fractures. When iron stores are low, it affects the bone remodelling process, and bone is not made as quickly as it is being broken down. Over time this leads to weakness and thinning of the bones.
Later this week, we’ll give you our 3 top strategies for optimsing iron intake as an athlete, that go beyond just eating more red meat (although this is also helpful!)llubtye
