Posted by Catherline Ng
on June 02, 2025
Many women invest heavily in skincare and personal health routines, yet continue to struggle with persistent fatigue, dull skin, hair shedding, and reduced stamina. One overlooked reason may be subclinical iron deficiency, also known as “hidden hunger.”
Iron is essential for oxygen transport in red blood cells. When stores run low, oxygen delivery declines, metabolism slows, and both energy and radiance diminish. Surveys suggest that as many as 72% of women experience some degree of iron deficiency.
Iron Deficiency Is Not the Same as Anemia
A common misconception is that iron deficiency only matters when anemia is diagnosed. In reality, iron plays critical roles beyond hemoglobin levels.
- Iron supports hemoglobin synthesis, enabling oxygen delivery across tissues.
- When iron reserves drop, hemoglobin production slows, resulting in chronic mild oxygen deprivation.
- The result is a collection of subtle yet significant symptoms that often go unnoticed.
Five Key Warning Signs of Iron Deficiency
- Rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath during exercise
Low iron limits oxygen delivery to muscles, disrupting oxidative metabolism. Muscles are forced into anaerobic pathways, producing lactic acid and turning regular workouts into exhausting tasks (Dziegala et al., 2018). - Persistent fatigue and poor focus, even after sleep
The brain uses ~20% of the body’s oxygen. Iron deficiency lowers oxygen supply and neurotransmitter synthesis, impairing concentration, memory, and mood (Wu et al., 2023; Yunanci et al., 2023). - Pale, yellowish, or dull complexion
Healthy skin tone depends on oxygen-rich blood. Iron deficiency reduces hemoglobin, decreasing visible facial redness and contributing to a sallow appearance (Re et al., 2011). - Hair loss and weakened hair quality
Hair follicles are sensitive to oxygen and nutrient supply. Reduced ferritin correlates with higher rates of shedding and fragile strands (Abdulqader et al., 2023). - Brittle nails and ridging
Iron is needed for keratin synthesis. Deficiency can cause fragile, splitting nails with vertical ridges. Supplementation has been shown to improve nail strength (Starace et al., 2018).
Why Women Are More Vulnerable
Women lose significantly more iron than men—up to 15 times higher. Several life stages and lifestyle factors increase their risk:
- Menstruation and pregnancy
Each menstrual cycle results in 30–50 ml of blood loss, with ~0.5 mg of iron per milliliter. Pregnancy further increases iron demands for both mother and baby. - Stress and exercise
Intense workouts and high stress increase energy needs and contribute to iron losses through urine and sweat, known as exercise-induced iron deficiency (Kardasis et al., 2023).
Why Food Alone May Not Be Enough
While a balanced diet is important, food sources often fall short in both iron content and absorption:
- Non-heme iron (plants) has only 1–5% absorption.
- Heme iron (animal sources) is better absorbed (15–35%).
- Coffee and tea can inhibit iron absorption due to polyphenols.
Smarter Supplementation
Once iron stores are depleted, diet alone may not restore healthy levels quickly. Clinical evidence supports the use of highly bioavailable iron supplements.
BIGVITA Iron+ is formulated with four complementary iron sources—Lipofer® iron pyrophosphate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous bisglycinate chelate, and heme iron—designed for gentle, efficient absorption. Enhanced with cranberry extract for added support, Iron+ helps women restore energy, skin tone, and vitality with ease.
References
1. Abdulqader, M. N., et al. (2023). Correlation between serum ferritin and hemoglobin level with hair fall count. Annals of the College of Medicine Mosul, 45(1), 1–6.
2. Dziegala, M., et al. (2018). Iron deficiency as energetic insult to skeletal muscle in chronic diseases. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 9(4), 802–815. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12314
3. Kardasis, W., et al. (2023). The IRONy in athletic performance. Nutrients, 15(23), 4945. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234945
4. Re, D. E., et al. (2011). Oxygenated-blood colour change thresholds for perceived facial redness, health, and attractiveness. PLoS ONE, 6(3), e17859. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0017859
5. Starace, M., et al. (2018). Nail disorders in children. Skin Appendage Disorders, 4(4), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.1159/000486538
6. Wu, Q., et al. (2023). Brain iron homeostasis and mental disorders. Antioxidants, 12(11), 1997. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12111997
7. Yunanci, S., et al. (2023). Relation between iron deficiency anaemia, physical activity and cognitive function in adolescent girls. Scriptamedica, 54(4), 405–412. https://doi.org/10.5937/scriptamed54-46534
