Why whole-food iron feels different in the body
When I was in my mid-20s, I started feeling dizzy and lightheaded a lot of the time.
If you’ve ever had that feeling, you know it’s quite unsettling.
I wasn’t my usual self.
I wanted to sleep all the time.
My skin was pale.
My hair felt dull and lifeless.
I didn’t have the energy for much at all.
Eventually, I spoke with a naturopath at the Nimbin Apothecary. She suggested I have my iron levels checked.
At the time, I’d been a vegetarian for around 15 years. When the results came back, it finally made sense. My iron stores were very low: my ferritin was 7.
The doctor recommended I take an iron supplement.
At the time, I didn’t realise that the form of iron could make such a difference to how the body absorbs and uses it. Particularly, how whole-food iron versus synthetic iron works in the body.
I tried many of the commonly prescribed iron supplements available at the time, including practitioner-only brands, iron tablets and liquid irons. But despite taking them consistently, I still felt dizzy, lightheaded, and tired. My energy didn’t return in the way I hoped it would.
Well-meaning friends and family suggested I eat meat. I didn’t want to... but I was also desperate to feel better.
After reading Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, I decided to explore heme whole foods again. I started slowly, with small amounts of chicken bone broth.
Around the same time, I began learning more about whole-food sources of iron, particularly the highly bioavailable iron found in chicken liver.
I tried cooking it… and it was pretty gross. As a former vegetarian, I just couldn’t bring myself to eat it.
That’s when I learned about encapsulation.
With my clinical and nutritional training, I decided to encapsulate organic chicken liver so I could take it daily without forcing myself to eat it.
And that’s when things began to change.
I could walk up hills without feeling dizzy or breathless.
My skin had more colour.
My hair became shinier and healthier.
Most importantly... my energy started to come back.
This was the first time I truly felt like my body was responding.
My sister noticed the change and asked if she could try the capsules. Then a friend asked what I was doing. Before I knew it, I was making organic chicken liver capsules not just for myself, but for others too.
And similar stories began to emerge.
People told me they felt clearer, steadier, and more like themselves again.
Why does iron from whole food feel different in the body?
It comes down to how the body recognises and absorbs iron.
Iron in food exists in different forms. The iron found naturally in meat and poultry is called heme iron. This is the form of iron the body recognises most easily, because it comes from foods humans have eaten for a very long time.
Heme iron is absorbed through a specific pathway in the gut and is generally much easier for the body to take in and use. The body recognises it as food and nourishment rather than as an isolated compound.
Many conventional iron supplements contain non-heme iron, which can be harder for some people to absorb and tolerate. This can mean:
- digestive discomfort
- ongoing low energy despite supplementation
- or iron levels that don’t seem to shift
For some bodies, it’s not that iron isn’t being taken... it’s that it isn’t being used effectively.
Whole-food iron comes with its natural cofactors. These are nutrients that exist together in food and work synergistically in the body. This can makes the iron easier to absorb and utilise. This is often why people say:
“It feels different”
If you’ve been taking iron supplements and you’re still feeling low in energy, it may be worth considering whether the form of iron you’re taking is right for your body.
Vitality Pills were born from this exact experience... a desire for iron support that feels nourishing, bioavailable and actually works.
I’ve seen time and time again how whole-food iron can support people in getting their energy back and feeling more like themselves.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to explore Vitality Pills further. And if you have questions, I’m always happy to help.
About the author
Kirrah Stewart holds a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Science, majoring in Complementary Medicine (Nutrition and Herbal Medicine). She is a former doula with over 15 years’ experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Kirrah is the creator of Vitality Pills, Wisdom Formulas, and Remember Nutrition.
Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog post is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.