Hair Fall Due To Iron Deficiency

Hair fall can be due to various reasons but iron deficiency is a major cause for hair fall in men and women. Iron deficiency is also known as anemia in medical language, this is a condition when the body has a low iron level that what the body requires. Some men and at least 80% of women suffer from iron deficiency. The most common reason for iron deficiency is insufficient iron in the diet which leads to reduced red blood cells in the person causing anemia. A person with this condition appears pale in comparison to other people and the hair follicles are affected and become weaker thus causing hair fall and hair loss.

The best way to control hair loss is to eat iron-rich foods. Deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin B12 are also responsible for hair loss. For treatment of the problem doctors usually give iron and vitamin pills. However these medicines are to be taken only by a prescription or doctor’s advice. Some iron rich foods are:

  • Dry fruits
  • Fish
  • Legumes
  • Meat
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Wheat germ
  • Grain products / whole grains
  • Molasses
  • Soybean
  • Tofu
  • Broccoli

Understanding iron deficiency

Causes for low levels of iron falls under three main categories –

  • Blood loss
  • Lack of iron absorption in the body
  • Decreased iron intake

Common reasons for iron deficiency due to blood loss are the following reasons:

  • Bleeding in the digestive tract, often due to ulcers and inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
  • Pregnancy. Blood loss during and post birth may cause a woman to become iron-deficient, which may result in anemia or hair loss
  • Menstruation. Excessively heavy periods can cause an iron deficiency in women
  • Severe injuries

More causes for low iron may include decreased iron intake or lack of iron in foods. A decreased absorption in iron can be caused by medications that lower stomach acids. Some foods like black tea, coffee, split peas, dried beans are also responsible for decreasing the iron in the blood stream. Vitamin C supplement combined with an iron-rich diet can help absorb iron into the blood stream more completely. The body needs iron to make hemoglobin whose production is limited if enough iron is not available. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and anemia results in less oxygen reaching the cells and tissues affecting their functioning. It is important to know that not all cases of iron deficiency leads in anemia, there could be other conditions too.
Anemia can be caused by more than just iron deficiency. The reference daily intake for iron is 18 milligrams. The recommended daily allowance of iron increases during pregnancy and breast-feeding. If you consume a healthy diet, nutrient deficiencies should not be a problem. A healthy diet ensures the intake of essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to your health and a healthy head of hair. Regular exercise and stress management, limiting alcohol intake, and avoiding tobacco are also essential to good health and are important for the prevention and treatment of temporary hair loss.

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Filed under: Hair Care Facts and FAQs by admin on Thu, May 27th, 2010
May 27, 2010

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