Our blogs cover a variety of women's health topics, from menstruation to pregnancy, and offer you the best advice from our experts
Solvotrin Therapeutics Announces Exclusive Agreement with Ortho Molecular Products
Pictured left to right: Jennie Lynch (Enterprise Ireland), Ronan McClafferty (Solvotrin Therapeutics), Pat O’Flynn (Solvotrin Therapeutics), Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Gary Powers (Ortho Molecular Products), Nate Freeman (Ortho Molecular Products)...
Solvotrin Announces Long-Term Licensing Agreement with Norwell Consumer Healthcare
October 17th, 2024 – Solvotrin Therapeutics, a leading Irish healthcare development company, is delighted to announce the signing of a long-term licensing agreement with Norwell Consumer Healthcare for the Active Iron brand in Canada. Norwell Consumer Healthcare, an...
Active Iron Partners with Clue to Help Women Combat Menstrual Fatigue and Manage Reproductive Health
At Active Iron, we’re always striving to empower women to take control of their health and well-being. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new partnership with Clue, the globally recognised menstrual and reproductive health app. Together, we’re offering women the...
Constipation During Pregnancy: Causes & Treatments
Pregnancy is a transformative experience, often filled with excitement, anticipation, and a fair share of challenges. Among these challenges, constipation is a common but often overlooked issue that many pregnant women face. Understanding the causes, recognising the...
Ever wondered how elite sportswomen manage their periods? Two top athletes reveal all
Even as superhuman as they may seem, global female sports stars like Annabel Dimmock and Molly Scott face the same monthly challenges as many women. Here, they share ways to navigate your period while excelling in sport. Managing your period is challenging...
Pregnancy Product Update
At Active Iron, we aim to provide the best possible support for your health, especially during pregnancy and beyond into the postnatal period. With this in mind, we have an important update regarding our Active Iron Pregnancy range. We have made the decision to...
Should you exercise during your period? – here’s everything you need to know from an Olympic nutritionist
Ever wonder if it's ok to still hit the gym when your period arrives? Many women ditch their workouts during that time of the month, but should you do this, or is there a benefit to exercising during your menstrual cycle? Renee McGregor, leading sports nutritionist...
Pregnancy Food Cravings and What They Mean
Pregnancy is a time of profound change, not only physically but also in dietary preferences. Many pregnant women experience food cravings that range from mildly unusual to rather bizarre. These cravings can be a source of curiosity, amusement, and sometimes even...
Rugby World Cup winner Rachael Burford: ‘With the right understanding, periods can be our superpower’
‘We’ve broken the big red taboo in rugby, but more can still be done to understand the link between periods, performance and injury risks so we harness menstrual cycles to support athletic success’, says former Red Roses and Harlequins rugby star Rachael Burford....
Foods to Avoid While Pregnant: What Not to Eat When Pregnant
Pregnancy is a crucial time when proper nutrition plays a vital role in the health of both the mum and the developing baby. It’s advised certain foods should be avoided to ensure a healthy pregnancy and to help minimise risks. Here's my comprehensive guide on what...
Best Vitamins for Pregnancy: Supplements, Nutrients & Considerations
Pregnancy is a critical time for both mum and the developing baby. Vitamins and nutrients play a significant role in supporting a healthy pregnancy. In this blog I explore why vitamins are important during pregnancy, the key vitamins and nutrients needed, foods to eat...
Should You Take Folic Acid for Pregnancy?
When planning for pregnancy, folic acid is often discussed as a crucial element for a healthy journey. Understanding what folic acid is, its importance, the best sources, and how to incorporate it into your routine can significantly impact both maternal and foetal...
Iron Supplements For Vegetarians
The best iron supplements for vegetarians For those who follow a vegetarian or plant-based diet, iron supplements for vegetarians are a reliable and easy way to reduce the risk of low iron levels and support overall physical and mental health. It can be challenging to...
Iron Supplements for Women – Do Women Need More Iron?
The Best Iron Supplement For Women . Whether menstruating or pregnant, iron is vitally important to a woman’s health. Active Iron delivers 2X better absorption.
Omega 3 Fish Oil in Pregnancy: Its importance for you and your baby
Most of us know the importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy and that there is an increased need for certain nutrients such as iron, vitamin D and omega-3 (I’ve previously written about the importance of iron during pregnancy) in supporting both mum and baby to...
Talking to your teenager about their period
Periods! They’re normal, they’re ordinary, and they’re a part of every woman’s life—yet society has habitually stigmatized the subject of menstruation, and discouraged the general public from discussing it openly. As we progress as a society into the 21st century and...
Iron Supplements During Pregnancy: Why is iron so important for pregnant women?
In this post, we will take you through everything you need to know about iron supplements during pregnancy. You’ll learn about: The function of iron in pregnancy The most important prenatal vitamins Iron supplements in pregnancy The best iron supplement to take when...
Recovering From Delivery – Postpartum Recovery Tips
Postpartum Recovery Tips As a midwife the majority of the questions I get asked are around pregnancy and birth. While it is so important to do antenatal classes and get the right information, we sometimes forget labour and birth happen over a day or few days....
Top 50 Doula Blogs & Websites For Expecting Parents to Follow In 2021
Pregnancy and parenting can be daunting, to say the least, and scrolling through the wealth of information online can be overwhelming. Pregnancy often throws up a million and one questions that we depend on online pregnancy resources to answer. Luckily for you, we...
The Sunniest Counties In Ireland [Map]
Ireland isn't known for year-round sunshine, but when the sun is shining there isn't a better place to be than the Emerald Isle. With Vitamin D being so important for the immune system and sunshine is an important element in helping the body create Vitamin D, we...
Folate and Folic Acid: Why it’s so important.
We hear a lot of stuff that’s important for pregnancy. Sometimes it can seem really overwhelming, and sometimes the advice is conflicting - but there is one area where there is pretty much universal agreement, and that is the importance of taking folate supplements....
50 Irish Fitness Experts To Follow On Social Media
Ever get tired of doing the same old fitness workout? Or you are bored of what you are doing in the gym and finding it hard to see any results? Thankfully, Instagram is a great place for fitness inspiration as it is full of workout videos and training tips. But with...
Best Time to Take Probiotics for Maximum Benefit
Probiotics commonly referred to as biotics regularly feature in the top 10 most popular nutritional supplements. Containing microorganisms, probiotics are generally taken to complement your existing good gut flora -. Diet, stress, illness and medications such as...
Postnatal Vitamins: Everything You Need To Know After You’ve Given Birth
After nine months of planning for your baby’s arrival, the time to meet your baby has finally arrived. Your body has done an amazing job throughout the physical changes of pregnancy and childbirth. Now, a healthy diet and support from high-quality postnatal vitamins...
Omega 3 for Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know
In recent years, omega-3 fish oils have been promoted as the latest nutritional powerhouse. Crucial to normal brain and eye function development, omega 3 undoubtedly packs a nutritional punch. In this post, we explore why omega-3 is so important to your children’s...
How To Improve Immunity In Kids
As a caring parent, you may be hoping to learn how to improve immunity in your kids, and whether the process is any different than boosting immunity in adults. But by the first time you took your toddler to the park, you probably realized that keeping your child away...
Top Irish Nutritionists & Food Experts To Follow On Social Media
Great nutrition is one of the keys to living a happy and healthy lifestyle. But going it alone and trying to figure it out for yourself can be daunting. Luckily these days, social media gives us easy access to some of the best minds in the business when it comes to...
Haem Iron Supplements: The Complete Guide
If you are considering haem iron supplements, this guide is for you. Using easy-to-understand language and terms, we will take you through all you need to know. We will answer all your questions, including the following: What is haem iron? What are the main dietary...
Vitamins For Kids Immune System: How To Boost Your Child’s Immunity
The Best Vitamins for Kids’ Immune Systems Few things are more important to parents than keeping their kids safe and healthy. Whether your kids’ schools are starting to open back up or if they’re continuing with virtual learning, it’s important that their little...
How To Increase Energy: An Expert Guide
How Do You Wake Up Full of Energy and Ready for the Day? Advice from 22 People Worth Listening To. From Zoom Fatigue to Lockdown Exhaustion, our energy levels seem to be declining with many Mumsnet members describing themselves as ‘bone tired’ or ‘running on empty’. A...
Everything You Need To Know About Liquid Iron Supplements
If you are considering taking liquid iron supplements, then this article is essential reading. Some manufacturers claim that liquid iron supplements are gentler on the stomach and more easily absorbed than tablet iron supplements. However, there are also several...
Spot the Signs Iron Pills are Working
Iron is essential to life and supports many functions in our bodies, it is crucial in forming haemoglobin, which supports oxygen transport around the body. Running low on iron can result in tiredness, weakness, and iron deficiency or anaemia. One common way to restore...
Best Time To Take Iron, How To Take Iron Supplements & More
The best time to take iron is on an empty stomach, so ideally at least one hour before or two hours after eating. Taking an iron supplement will depend on a number of factors which we’ll explore in full detail. This article is for you if: You want to find out the best...
When Is The Best Time To Take Vitamins
This article is for you if: You want to learn the best time to take vitamins You want to learn more about each individual vitamin inside your average multivitamin Should You Take Vitamins in the Morning or at Night? To answer the first question right off the bat, the...
How Long Do Iron Supplements Take To Work?
Most people feel positive effects from taking iron supplements after 3 weeks but it may take up to 12 weeks to feel a noticeable increase in energy levels. Iron needs differ from person to person, as such, everyone feels the effects of iron supplementation on their...
Iron and Calcium: Essential Minerals for Health and Wellbeing
When it comes to essential minerals, iron and calcium are some of the most important. Iron’s main role is to help transport oxygen around the body. It’s also important for brain function, and a healthy immune system. Calcium is vital for healthy bones and teeth. And...
Iron and Vitamin C: A Powerful Combination
Iron is essential to your health and well-being. It plays a vital role in supporting your immune system and helps move oxygen around the body. A lack of iron can cause a host of issues from fatigue to loss of energy and concentration. However, with today’s busy...
Best Food Sources of Haem and Non Haem Iron
Haem iron is a form of iron that’s rarely talked about. You find haem iron in animal products, such as red meat, poultry, seafood, and muscle tissue. But let’s rewind a little bit. There are two types of iron: Haem iron – found in meats. Non-haem iron – found in...
The Ultimate 2022 Guide To Iron Supplements
The best time to take iron is on an empty stomach, so ideally at least one hour before or two hours after eating. Taking an iron supplement will depend on a number of factors which we’ll explore in full detail. This article is for you if you want to find out: The best...
Foods High in Iron
Iron is one of the most important micronutrients for the human body. It’s essential for transferring oxygen from your blood into your organs. A lot of people are not familiar with the importance of iron as a micronutrient, and may have problems getting their healthy...
Immune System Supplements: Best Vitamins & Supplements To Boost Your Immune System
The immune system is our body’s natural defence system that protects us from many pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Lately, there has been an increase in support for maintaining a healthy immune system. For your own health and the health of...
What you Need to Know About Prenatal Vitamins
At the beginning of pregnancy and even before conception, we have lots of questions regarding our diet and what is best for both mum and baby. A healthy, balanced diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. Supplements can also help support the...
Cereals High in Iron & Iron Fortified Cereals – Active Iron
Iron is a vital mineral and it is crucial to ensure that you’re getting enough of it through your diet. Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, while also playing an important role in normal energy metabolism, oxygen transport, cognitive function,...
Folic Acid Vs Folate: What’s the Difference?
Folate | Folic Acid | Differences | Pregnancy Benefits | Foods High in Folate Folic Acid and Folate, what is the difference and why does it matter? Both are different forms of B9, an essential B vitamin used by the body for maternal tissue growth during pregnancy, as...
How to Take Iron Pills Without Getting Sick
Iron is one of your body’s most vital nutrients. We get iron from our food so a healthy balanced diet should ensure we have sufficient iron in our diets. In some cases, like during pregnancy or due to a restricted diet, it may be necessary to take an iron supplement...
Iron For Vegetarians: Plant Based Iron Sources To Maintain Iron Intake
Exclusively for activeiron.com by Esther Jane Iron In A Vegetarian Diet The health industry is buzzing with plant-based diets, as more and more people are starting to value their wellness. In fact, according to Irish supermarkets, there has been a steady surge in the...
Exercise for Pregnancy with Alison Desmond
Keeping active and fit throughout your pregnancy is of huge importance. It helps your body adapt to the changes it goes through in each trimester and also helps keep you fit for an easier recovery following the birth. Not to mention the confidence and endorphin boost...
How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution in 3 Simple Steps
This article is for you if: You have a New Year’s resolution, but you’re struggling to make it stick. You want to learn how to create healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes. It’s important that we’re clear right off the bat, because if you google “how to keep a New...
New Year’s Resolutions: The Energy To Make It Stick
New Year’s resolutions, we’ve all made them and some of us have used them to achieve great things; like training a half marathon or learning to play the guitar. Research shows that it takes 21 days to form a habit but 90 days to make it a lifestyle change. This means...
21/90 Good Habits And A Great Life
Build a habit and make it a permanent lifestyle change. The 21/90 rule states that it takes 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. Is there a new lifestyle change you would like to make? Commit to your goal for 21 days and it will...
Iron Rich Foods For Kids: Tackling Low Iron In Children’s Diets
Iron is an essential part of haemoglobin which allows oxygen to bind to red blood cells and be carried from the lungs to the other parts of the body. If your child is low in iron, his/her body may not be able to make sufficient amounts of haemoglobin and may benefit...
Foods To Include In Your Pregnancy Diet For Healthy Fetal Development
Your pregnancy diet is one of the most important factors when it comes to your unborn baby’s health and development. A fetus must receive a steady supply of nutrients in order to maintain an optimum growth rate and establish a healthy metabolism. Without this supply,...
Iron Supplements For Men – Do Men Need More Iron?
Why Men Need Iron A man’s body needs iron to support a healthy immune function, reduce tiredness and fatigue, allow oxygen transport via the haemoglobin present in red blood cells and support normal energy metabolism as well as cognitive function. Getting the right...
Blood Donation: Busting The Myths Around Blood Donation
According the Red Cross 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lifetime. Yet rates of blood donation are low, with only 10% of those who can give blood donate. A lack of understanding about eligibility, myths and misconceptions are contributing to low...
Why do women need more iron than men?
Iron is essential to life for both men and women; it helps reduce tiredness and fatigue, as well as playing an important role in normal energy metabolism, oxygen transport, cognitive function, immune function and formation of red blood cells. However, iron is...
Why Is Iron Important For Exercise?
Your muscles use iron to help produce energy, so for people who exercise regularly – especially those who enjoy endurance exercise such as running, rowing and cycle – it’s extra-important to maintain optimal iron levels. Most athletes focus heavily on nutrition, and...
Is it gluten-free? 5 tips for following a gluten-free diet
Many people avoid having gluten in their diet. An increasing number of consumers seek gluten-free products for a variety of different reasons. The idea of a strict, gluten-free diet may seem daunting; however, many people have adapted well to this diet armed with the...
5 tips if you’re afraid to give blood
Six thousand (6000) blood donations are needed in the UK every day to service the 2.1 million transfusions per year. These transfusions are critical in saving people’s lives. Haemoglobin and iron stores are a key factor in our blood and dictate a person’s eligibility...
Everything You Need To Know About Iron Absorption & How Iron Is Absorbed In Your Body
Only a fraction of ingested iron is absorbed by the body. The amount may range from only 5% to 35%, according to a journal in the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, which means that even if you’re consuming ample iron, chances are you’re not absorbing all...
Weird Signs Your Iron Levels Are Low – Active Iron
Over 2 billion people worldwide have an iron deficiency. If you feel like your energy levels have plummeted, and you’re exhausted, iron deficiency may be to blame. Active Iron is an iron supplement that is kind on your stomach and increases iron levels by 94%. ...
So, Are Women Getting Enough Iron From Food?
It is a worrying fact that Iron deficiency has reached epidemic levels in the UK. Almost half the girls aged 11 to 18, and more than a quarter of women aged 19 to 64 in the UK are not getting the minimum intakes of iron recommended for good health, the latest official...
Gluten Free Iron Tablets – Active Iron Supplements
Coeliac disease is caused by a reaction to gluten and is a lifelong autoimmune disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine....
Iron Staining Teeth – Do Iron Supplements Stain Your Teeth?
Worried that your iron supplement will stain your teeth? With Active Iron, you won’t have to compromise on your smile to stay healthy. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression – and studies have shown we can make our major decisions about a...
The Next-Gen Iron Tablets for Expectant Mothers.
Iron Tablets During Pregnancy Expecting parents may sometimes feel a little overwhelmed by the advice they get on nutrition, vitamins and supplements. But every mum-and-dad-to-be will want to know what’s best for their baby and stay up to date on the latest...
Iron Deficiency In Athletes – A Critical Issue
At just 16, Gill McGirr is an accomplished athlete already performing at an elite level. The Cork rower and her partner have just been selected to represent Ireland at the European Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany at the end of May. Gill’s dedication sees her...