Fix Iron First: The Hidden Cause of Fatigue, Anxiety & Hormone Imbalance with Dr. Libby Weaver

7 snips

Aug 4, 2025

Dr. Libby Weaver, a thirteen-time bestselling author and founder of Bio Blends, joins the discussion on the crucial yet often ignored role of iron in health. They highlight the alarming rates of iron deficiency among women, especially teenage girls, and its links to fatigue and anxiety. The conversation covers dietary considerations, particularly for those on plant-based diets, and how restoring iron levels can improve mental health. They also explore iron's impact on thyroid function and the challenges women face during perimenopause.

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INSIGHT

Iron Deficiency Is Widespread

Iron deficiency affects 39% of teenage girls globally and is often overlooked.
Iron is essential for oxygen transport, neurotransmitter production, and thyroid function.

INSIGHT

Iron Deficiency Causes Anxiety

Anxiety can be a symptom of iron deficiency, often misdiagnosed or overlooked.
Restoring iron levels may alleviate anxiety and mood disorder symptoms.

ADVICE

Watch Symptoms For Low Iron

Monitor for heart palpitations, fatigue, cold intolerance, and pale eyelids as red flags for low iron.
Get blood tests to accurately assess iron levels rather than relying on symptoms alone.

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Angela welcomes back the amazing Dr Libby Weaver, to explore the often-overlooked importance of iron in our diets and its critical role in overall health.

They discuss the alarming prevalence of iron deficiency, particularly among teenage girls and women in their menstruating years, and how it can lead to a range of health issues, including fatigue, anxiety, and thyroid dysfunction

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Iron Deficiency Prevalence: Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, affecting a significant percentage of women, particularly teenage girls
Importance of Iron: Iron is crucial for transporting oxygen in the body, producing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and supporting thyroid function
Mental Health Connection: Anxiety and mood disorders can be linked to iron deficiency. Restoring iron levels may alleviate symptoms that are often misattributed
Dietary Considerations: Women, especially those following vegan or vegetarian diets, need to be mindful of their iron intake, as non-heme iron from plant sources is less bioavailable

TIMESTAMPS AND KEY TOPICS:

[00:00:38] Iron deficiency in teenage girls.

[00:22:52] Iron's role in thyroid function.

[00:35:57] Copper's role in iron metabolism.

[00:46:57] Iron absorption and exercise timing.

[00:57:49] Vegetarian sources of iron.

[01:04:13] Iron deficiency and perimenopause.

[01:12:32] Nourishing body, mind, and soul.

[01:14:47] Mindset and pregnancy perceptions.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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Listen to my previous episode with Dr Libby on Rushing Woman’s Syndrome https://lnk.to/EP_377

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ABOUT THE GUEST

As a thirteen-time bestselling author, renowned speaker and founder of Bio Blends, Dr Libby (PhD) is here to transform the way you feel about your health. Known for her relatable style and remarkable ability to simplify the often complex science of health, Dr Libby connects the dots between what you eat, how you feel and how your body functions

Connect with Dr Libby and get a copy of her new book Fix Iron First at:

https://drlibby.com/

Try Dr Libby’s specially formulated bioavailable iron supplement at https://www.bioblends.com/

ABOUT THE HOST

Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine.

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Disclaimer: The High Performance Health Podcast is for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of professional or coaching advice and no client relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should seek the assistance of their medical doctor or other health care professional for before taking any steps to implement any of the items discussed in this podcast.