In the final episode of The Iron Conversation, Dr Libby explores iron deficiency in children – how it develops, why it’s so often missed, and the signs parents can look for long before anaemia appears.You’ll also learn why so many modern lunchboxes are accidentally low in iron and how simple tweaks can make a meaningful difference to your child’s energy, mood and development.This conversation offers clarity, reassurance and practical guidance for parents, caregivers and anyone supporting growing bodies.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:• How iron deficiency progresses and why most children are only diagnosed at the final stage• The subtle signs to watch for, from restless sleep to picky eating and frequent infections• Why large volumes of milk can crowd out iron-rich foods• The link between iron, zinc and fussy eating• How to build iron-rich lunchboxes without overwhelm• When to consider blood testing and what to ask for• Supplementation guidance for children and why the form of iron matters

In Episode 5 of The Iron Conversation, Dr Libby dives deeper into the global iron deficiency crisis and why so many people — particularly women and children — are running on empty without realising it. Dr Libby shares the hidden reasons iron absorption fails, from gut inflammation and gluten sensitivity to mineral competition, and how choosing the right form of iron can transform your results.

Whether you’re a menstruating woman, plant-based eater, athlete, or parent, this episode is your roadmap to rebuilding iron stores naturally — and feeling the difference in your energy, focus and mood.

Athlete, running coach and model Lana van Hout joins Dr Libby for an honest, performance-led conversation about iron, energy and the female body.

Lana shares her personal experience with iron deficiency during peak training — when running 100 km a week left her exhausted, sleepless and questioning why her body no longer felt like her own. Together, she and Dr Libby unpack how iron deficiency can quietly sabotage performance, recovery and resilience — and why so many active women mistake depletion for discipline.

They explore what every runner and coach should know about comprehensive iron testing, the impact of hormones and pregnancy on iron status, and the fine line between pushing harder and truly nourishing your body.

It’s a must-listen for any woman who loves movement and wants to stay strong through every season of life.

What if one nutrient could change everything about how you feel — from your energy and mood to how you show up as a mother?

In this deeply insightful episode, Dr Libby sits down with Dr Oscar Serrallach, functional medicine doctor and author of The Postnatal Depletion Cure, to explore how iron lies at the very heart of maternal health, postpartum recovery and even a baby’s early development.

Together, they unpack the biology behind the postnatal depletion epidemic — why so many mothers feel exhausted, foggy and emotionally stretched long after birth — and how modern “bounce-back” culture compounds the problem.

From the misunderstood science of iron deficiency to the emotional toll of self-doubt, guilt and relentless responsibility, Dr Oscar and Dr Libby reveal how restoring iron levels can transform not only energy and sleep, but emotional regulation and the mother–child bond itself.

Whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, navigating postpartum, or supporting a mother in your life, this episode is a powerful reminder that before we can rebuild wellbeing, we must first rebuild iron.

Dr Libby sits down with naturopath and evolutionary biologist Dr Lara Briden to explore how modern life quietly drains women’s iron stores — from teenage girls navigating hormones and the pill, to women moving through perimenopause.

Together they unpack the triple whammy of low iron, hormonal contraception and antidepressants, the vital role of stomach acid in nutrient absorption, and how long-term PPI use can disrupt it.

You’ll also hear about the fascinating link between estrogen, thyroid function and hepcidin, practical ways to advocate for yourself when testing iron and thyroid markers — and why ferritin-iron, the food-based form, is changing how we think about energy, absorption and women’s health.

Most people think of fatigue when they hear “low iron,” but the truth runs much deeper. In this episode, Dr Libby shares why she’s on a mission to shine a light on iron deficiency and explores how low iron ripples through the whole body – influencing mood, memory, thyroid health, immunity and even how calm we feel each day.

Discover why energy is only the beginning of iron’s story.