I have been working as a Dietitian for 13 years and specializing in Sports Nutrition for the last 6 years. I have also been running my entire life and at an elite level since my University days when I competed in cross country and track on an athletic scholarship at an NCAA Division I school. This is where I discovered I had iron deficiency anemia when I couldn’t finish a 3000m track race. I now compete in the marathon distance and have represented Canada in the Pan Am Games for it in 2015 receiving the bronze medal. My personal best is 2:32:09 which I hope to improve on at 38 years old.
Iron supplementation has been part of my routine for almost 20 years now. Runners are at a higher risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. One of the reasons is exercise induced hemolysis. This can occur when the foot hits the ground and breaks down red blood cells. Red blood cell turnover is higher in runners therefore they have higher iron requirements. Female athletes have even higher iron requirements compared to male athletes due to the menstrual cycle and even higher if they are a vegetarian or vegan. We can only absorb a percentage of the iron we eat from foods, making supplementation a very important part of our routine if iron is low.
I started recommending Ferosom to my clients and over the last year have seen the positive results shown in bloodwork with improved hemoglobin and ferritin levels, overall improved energy levels and compliance with taking the supplement regularly. After all, we need to keep taking iron in order to keep levels high for those that need it. I am fortunate that I talk to a lot of different individuals in my private practice and can track bloodwork after suggesting supplement changes.
While I do encourage food sources of iron too, the absorption rate is poor and athletes always need a supplement to get iron levels up if they have low ferritin or hemoglobin levels. This should always be monitored by a doctor and dietitian so the dosage and timing can be adjusted as needed based on training, age and unique requirements of the individual.
Making improvements in sport requires consistent training and attention to details of your own health. This includes a balance diet rich in high quality carbohydrates and overall calories and making sure you don’t develop any nutrient deficiencies. Athletes should always work closely with their healthcare team to monitor their health and getting bloodwork done routinely is a quick and efficiency way to do that.
I have not experienced any side effects like darkened stools, stomach pain or constipation from using Ferosom. I have had some of these side effects using very high dose iron formulas in the past and have also heard some of my clients describe these difficulties. Having side effects means not taking the prescribed iron supplement as often which will affect iron stores. It is very important to take iron consistently and have a formula that doesn’t cause any side effects.
As a Registered Dietitian and elite athlete who uses social media, a lot of thought goes into what I endorse on my profile and recommend when counseling individuals. I only recommend products I truly believe in, have tried out myself and are backed by science. I discovered Ferosom in January 2023 and started using it after getting my bloodwork done first and meeting with staff about Ferosom so I could learn more about the science behind it. Within 4 months of starting on the Ferosom capsules I saw my highest ferritin levels I have ever seen, all during a marathon build running 150-170 km/week plus weight training. I have had a very successful last year of competitions and have remained healthy with no missed training days.
I also am thriving in my career because I feel I have the energy available to complete all the things I want to do in a day. We all deserve to feel at our best when we put the time and energy into it and should be taught when we need to add supplements in when our diets can provide our daily requirements.
