Rich in Iron Can Prevent Hair Loss

Iron deficiency is one of the causes of excessive hair loss in women. This usually happens when you don’t get enough iron from your diet or, for some reason, do not fully absorb iron. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency due to their monthly blood loss. The major causes of low iron levels fall under 3 main categories:

Blood Loss

The general reasons for iron deficiency due to blood loss include bleeding in the digestive tract, often due to ulcers and inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), pregnancy (blood loss during and after delivery may cause a woman to become iron-deficient, which may result in anemia or hair loss), and menstruation. Excessively heavy periods can cause an iron deficiency in women, especially when combined with other factors, such as lack of iron intake. Severe injuries can also cause severe blood loss.

Hair Loss Treatment Decrease in Iron Absorption

A number of medications can decrease the absorption of iron – medications that reduce stomach acids, medications for chronic diarrhea, among others. Some foods such as black or pekoe teas, coffee, bran, soybeans, split peas, dried beans can lessen the absorption of iron into the blood stream.

Taking Vitamin C to supplement your diet rich in iron can enhance the absorption of iron into the blood stream.

Decreased iron intake

Another cause of low iron include decreased iron intake in your diet. Good sources of iron include lean red meat, steamed clams, cream of wheat, dried fruit, soybeans, tofu and broccoli.
A laboratory test called ferritin is often very sensitive for iron deficiency and can detect it in its early stages. If this early form of iron deficiency is treated, then patients may be able to regrow hair more effectively. However, an integral part of the overall treatment include diet modification to include iron-rich foods like red meat, dried fruit, broccoli, raisins, clams, oysters, and spinach. Iron supplements plus the amino acid l-lysine can altogether eliminate certain hair loss in women.