Iron is essential for your body to function. Some symptoms of iron deficiency include hair loss and fatigue, but what else? How can you raise your iron levels? Which foods have iron? Can iron supplements cause bowel cancer? Dr. Dora Pereira, Cambridge University's "Iron Lady", answers all these questions and more in this episode of Well, Actually.

0:00 Intro

0:42 Experiencing iron deficiency

1:15 Easy ways to check if you’re iron deficient

3:39 What is iron? Why does the body need it? How does it work?

4:38 How much iron does the body need daily?

5:30 Eating to reach daily iron levels

6:35 Which foods have iron naturally

7:17 Iron fortified foods: Do they really help?

8:49 People at high risks for iron deficiency

9:10 Children and iron deficiency

10:35 Vegans/vegetarians recommendations

12:11 Foods that prevent vs. help iron absorption

18:57 Why does the body even lack iron in the first place?

20:26 Short-term effects of iron deficiency

24:01 Long-term effects of iron deficiency: anemia

26:24 Restoring your depleted iron storage

27:24 Iron supplements dosage recommendations

29:42 Side effects of iron supplements

31:50 Risk of overdosing on iron (children and adults)?

34:01 True/False: Iron supplements cause bowel cancer

36:37 A global issue

37:22 Low-income countries & iron supplements

39:00 Iron deficiency: Pregnancy complications/maternal death

40:41 Problem with normal iron supplements in Gambia

41:24 Effect of infections on iron supplements intake

43:37 Hope for iron supplements?

44:33 New iron supplements with minimal side effects?

46:22 Credits