Iron Deficiency or Self-Neglect? A Question Worth Asking
“My hair is falling, my energy is gone and by evening I don’t even feel like talking to my children. I’m trying everything, but nothing is improving … and now doctors here in Denmark are suggesting more tests.”
This is what a gentle, exhausted voice of this lovely lady shared recently.
She works in the education sector, far away from home, doing her best to make a good life. Her blood reports consistently showed low haemoglobin and doctors advised further investigations, including an endoscopy, to understand why her body wasn’t absorbing iron properly.
While she followed her medical advice, I asked her something simple: “You have a great list of iron-rich foods – but are you having them daily? Are sleep, movement and rest happening consistently?”
Her answer was honest. “No… maybe happening once or twice a week.” And that’s where the story shifted.
The body doesn’t respond to intentions. It responds to consistency.
Iron absorption is not just about iron tablets or food charts. It is deeply influenced by gut health, stress hormones, inflammation, digestive strength and daily rhythms. Chronic stress keeps cortisol high — and a stressed body simply cannot absorb nutrients efficiently. Digestion becomes secondary when survival becomes primary.
I suggested simple, doable rituals & along with that –
Real iron-rich food combinations & some foods — pomegranate, dates, legumes, dark leafy greens, soaked nuts and seeds. Supporting gut flora naturally with HappyGut Company’s – HappyGut Goli and its Hair Biotin for Nourishing hair and energy with whole-food nutrients. Cooking with joy. Eating without rush. Gentle movement. Adequate hydration and most importantly – sleep, the only time the body truly repairs.
But the most important suggestion was this: Learn to manage stress & food combinations -daily, not occasionally.
Because no matter how nutrient-dense your plate is, a stressed body cannot absorb nourishment. It is too busy protecting you to heal you.
And then I said something that stayed with both of us:
“Your iron is not low because you are deficient. It is low because you are not showing up for yourself.”
Every morning, we choose.
Do we show up for our body — our gut, our peace, our nourishment? Or only for tests, reports, and prescriptions?
True healing begins when we choose ourselves — consistently, kindly, daily.
By Dr Sonali Jajodia, MD (Alt Med),
Gut Health Coach, Nutritional Consultant (USA), MBA (UK).
Founder : HappyGut Company
Contact No :- +91 9969101542
