Health, Longevity & Biohacking

Enders says iron levels can dip after infection as immune defence

Name: Enders says iron levels can dip after infection as immune defence
Uploaded: 2026-07-31T13:15:00+00:00
Description: Enders claims the immune system can temporarily pull iron out of the blood during infection to deprive microbes of a scarce nutrient, then release it back afterwards. She suggests this could explain some low iron readings shortly after illness, framing it as an adaptive response rather than immediate deficiency.

Big Think · Physician: You should be listening to the genius of your body | Giulia Enders: Full Interview · July 31, 2026

Big Think

Physician: You should be listening to the genius of your body | Giulia Enders: Full Interview

"So shortly after an infection you might have a lowered iron value when you go to a blood test for example but that's not necessarily a bad thing because it will probably return within the next day."

Enders claims the immune system can temporarily pull iron out of the blood during infection to deprive microbes of a scarce nutrient, then release it back afterwards. She suggests this could explain some low iron readings shortly after illness, framing it as an adaptive response rather than immediate deficiency.

About this episode

German physician and author Giulia Enders outlines themes from her book “Organ Speak”, using five body systems—the lungs, immune system, skin, muscles and brain—to argue for a less mechanistic, more relational view of health and behaviour. On breathing, she distinguishes between conscious and subconscious control and says workplace stress can drive “dysfunctional breathing”, which she links to fatigue, dizziness and headaches; she proposes techniques intended to let subconscious regulation reassert itself.

On immunity, Enders criticises “war” metaphors and instead frames immune function as discrimination, tolerance and co-operation with beneficial microbes. She claims only a small fraction of bacterial species are recognised pathogens, and says the body may sequester iron during infection to limit microbial growth, potentially lowering measured iron shortly after illness. She also argues that autoimmune disease should not be described as the immune system “attacking” the body, suggesting it is better understood as overprotective safety behaviour.

In the skin chapter, she draws parallels between wound healing and grief, recounting feeling numb after her grandmother’s death and later understanding it as a phase of underlying reorganisation. She also points to studies suggesting touch and hand-holding can reduce stress markers via “interpersonal synchronisation”. On muscles, she stresses that adaptation occurs during recovery and warns both overtraining and “over relaxation” can be harmful. She closes by warning against over-identifying humans with machines in an era of AI, arguing biological systems are more complex than current models and urging greater attention to bodily sensation.

The episode includes membership appeals from Big Think outside the main discussion.

Key takeaways

Enders says around 10% of people may develop stress-linked “dysfunctional breathing”, with knock-on symptoms.
She argues conscious focus can worsen breathing efficiency, but can also be used deliberately to calm or stimulate the nervous system.
She claims only about 1,400 bacterial species are known pathogens and warns against treating microbes as inherently dangerous.
Enders says the immune system may temporarily hide iron during infection, affecting post-illness blood tests.
She disputes the phrasing that autoimmune disease is the immune system “attacking” the body, describing it as overprotective safety behaviour.
Enders cites research suggesting touch and hand-holding can synchronise physiological measures and reduce stress markers.
She argues exercise benefits are realised during recovery periods, and that both overtraining and prolonged inactivity carry risks.