The Core Connect Podcast

Beyond Spinach: Understanding and Treating Iron Deficiency with Dr Dheeraj Khiatani

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Fatigue, Hair Loss, Poor Concentration—Could You Be Iron Deficient?

Did you know that iron deficiency can develop years before anemia sets in? Or that you'd need anywhere between 8 to 30 kilograms of spinach just to meet your recommended daily iron intake?

In this episode, Dr. Dheeraj Khiatani, a Singapore-based General Practitioner and one of Asia's leading experts on iron deficiency, joins Marianne to discuss the essentials of iron absorption and iron loss. Together, they explore:

  • The demographics, dietary habits, and cultural factors that make iron deficiency so common.
  • Why many women go undiagnosed despite suffering from its effects.
  • The benefits of iron infusions for women with ferritin levels under 30ng/ml.


    • Dr. Dheeraj and Marianne also reflect on their personal journeys into this area of nutrition, unpacking the health and financial costs of iron deficiency and its often-overlooked impact on women, notably those of reproductive age, endurance athletes, or women with inflammatory gut conditions.

    If you're feeling chronically fatigued, or if your ferritin levels are low, this episode is a must-listen!

    Timestamps:

    • 09:56 Iron Infusions vs. Iron Supplements
    • 16:30 Coffee, Tea, Milk & Vitamin C: How They Impact Iron Absorption
    • 19:45 Heavy Menses? Why You’d Need 10 Steaks Daily to Compensate for Iron Loss
    • 24:32 Underdiagnosed: Are We Conditioned to Accept Women Being Chronically Tired?
    • 26:46 The Risks of Iron Deficiency to New Mothers and Babies
    • 32:57 Why Endurance Athletes Are at Risk
    • 37:10 Iron Deficiency in Men: A Potential Red Flag
    • 39:30 The 4 Nutrients You Must Screen for Yearly


      • 💡 Postpartum? Feeling fatigued?
      You might also enjoy the episode featuring Dr. Labib, where we dive into clean living, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and actionable tips for thriving in the fourth trimester.

      https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-core-connect-podcast/id1766482868?i=1000677725847

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      The Core Connect PodcastBy Marianne Tafani - Core Connect Studio