Aliquot #137: How to Optimize Iron without Causing Overload

Iron plays a central role in health across the lifespan. It forms the core of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and it fuels mitochondrial energy production in every cell. Yet both deficiency and overload carry risks. Too little iron leads to anemia and fatigue, while too much can accelerate aging and damage the brain. In this Aliquot, I'll explore how to recognize and address iron deficiency, the unique challenges of iron overload in aging, the ways alcohol may influence brain iron, and how infants tightly regulate iron as a built-in defense against infection.