Proper and consistent hair care procedures are necessary to improve significantly hair growth. However, you may implement the hair care strategies and practice the routines meticulously yet have no visible growth. Hair growth is beyond outward applications; it includes what you consume daily. Yes, your food affects your hair growth. Some essential nutrients stimulate and promote hair growth; you need to consume them daily in your diet (1). Iron is one critical nutrient; its presence or absence(deficiency) dramatically affects hair growth. In this article, we share what you should know about the effect of Iron on hair growth.
What is Iron?
Iron is an essential mineral of the human body needed for growth and development. It is a crucial component of the body enzyme Ribonucleotide reductase, which aids cell growth. Our body uses iron minerals specifically to make hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein component in red blood cells. The hemoglobin, also called heme, transports oxygen from the lungs to all designated body parts. Myoglobin provides oxygen to the muscles (2).
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We consume Iron daily when we eat food, and some of the Iron we consume is stored in the body as FFerritin. The ferritin protein helps the hair complete a healthy hair growth cycle. When you do not take sufficient Iron, your body releases the stored Iron – Ferritin. This leads to a depletion of the iron store. When patients experience hair loss, medical tests have shown that their iron store – Ferritin is usually depleted.
Low ferritin level is also referred to as an iron deficiency. Iron deficiency makes the hair follicle cells sensitive, altering the hair growth cycle. This sensitivity and alteration results in an inability to grow new hair cells. When this occurs, consult with your doctor for further treatment, as you may require a ferritin test.
How does Iron Affect hair growth?
Iron functions in the body as hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen around the body to designated tissues and organs, including hair follicles. Proper nutrition supplies adequate Iron to the body, ensuring the sufficient availability of hemoglobin. In addition, when hemoglobin performs its functions, it helps strengthen hair roots. Strong hair roots are required to grow your hair, as they are needed to hold on efficiently to the hair shafts, allowing them to develop. However, this is not the only function of Iron in the body; it also helps optimize energy levels, nourish the body’s muscles, and improve the immune system.
When Iron is consumed, a certain amount is stored as ferritin in non-essential tissues such as hair bulbs (3). This supply of Ferritin in the hair bulb is used in the formation of the hair protein, ensuring hair growth.
When you do not take in enough Iron in your daily diet, the iron supply in the body becomes deficient, a health condition known as Anemia. At this point, your body starts using the available ferritin supply, which includes those stored in non-essential tissues such as your hair. Your body extracts these stored supplies from the non-essential tissues and transports them to the essential tissues, such as the heart, for efficient body mechanisms (4).
This extraction alters the growth cycle of your hair, shortening the various hair growth phases. This alteration results in hair shedding and the inability of the hair to grow to its maximum length.
When you notice such consistent shedding and hair loss, you may need to consult your doctor and take tests to check your ferritin levels (5). Hair loss as a result of reduced ferritin levels may be reversible. Boosting your iron consumption provides adequate Iron for the body’s mechanisms. This also ensures the hair follicles’ ferritin supplies are not extracted. Thereby preventing grey hair and hair loss. You must consume sufficient Iron to ensure an adequate supply of Iron and Ferritin within your body.
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How much Iron do we need?
Iron levels in women call for more significant concern. This is because, monthly, women lose blood during menstruation. Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency among women (6).
Aged between 11-50, during the menstruation years, your daily iron supply should range from 14g to 15g. Women who are anemic or suffering from other health conditions may require more iron supplies.
Iron deficiency
When the iron supply in the body is depleted, the body cannot make hemoglobin – the protein component of red blood cells. This means there is a reduction in the body’s required number of red blood cells. This iron deficiency is referred to as Anemia (7). Anemia could happen as a result of different situations, some of which include
- Inadequate consumption of iron-rich foods
- Heavy menstruation cycles
- Poor or incorrect absorption of Iron by the body
- Chronic illness
- Pregnancy – During pregnancy, extra Iron is required to transport oxygen and blood to the baby.
Blood loss or hemorrhage
If you have concerns about your iron level, consult your doctor. In addition, your iron level may be analyzed by checking out the following levels.
- Ferritin
- Serum iron
- Transferrin saturation level
- Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
Hair loss due to iron deficiency may be efficiently managed and reversible.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
When you are anemic, some obvious symptoms may include
- Hair loss – Consistent shedding of the hair may be a result of your body’s low iron levels
- Lack of energy and consistent fatigue
- Brittle nails
- Breathlessness -Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Heart palpitations and Fast heartbeat
- Sore tongue
If you notice some or all of these symptoms, kindly consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
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Iron Deficiency and Hair loss
When Anemia occurs, the red blood cell count is low; therefore, oxygen transportation in the body is reduced. As a result, the hemoglobin content of the iron red blood cells cannot transport oxygen and all essential nutrients to the target tissues and organs (8). This includes the hair follicles. As a result, the hair follicles do not have enough nutrients and oxygen supply to stay alive; they eventually die, resulting in hair loss.
Hair loss treatments at trichology clinics have shown a repeated degree of Anemia in all patients (9). However, hair loss due to iron deficiency does not scar the hair follicles; therefore, the process is reversible, and hair regrowth may be possible.
How do you treat hair loss from iron deficiency?
On diagnosis of hair loss due to iron deficiency, doctors at trichology clinics may recommend various forms of treatment. Some of these treatments include
- I am taking the medication – Minoxidil (Rogaine). This drug is a topical solution and may be used as shampoo (10).
- Hair transplantation – surgery
- Platelet-rich plasma treatment (PRP) (11)
Five Ways to Boost Iron Levels for Hair Growth
When you have symptoms of iron deficiency, a proper diagnosis may be required. You may consult your doctor and have the appropriate tests carried out. Based on your test reports, you may be diagnosed as being anemic. There are various ways to replenish your iron level and recover from Anemia. When this recovery happens, your hair will be stimulated and grow again. The following processes may be recommended to boost your daily iron intake.
1. Consumption of Iron-Rich food
This is the fastest and most common way to increase iron levels. However, the diet must be intentionally enriched with iron-rich foods to achieve this. Some of the dietary sources of Iron include
- Chicken
- Red meat
- Dark chocolate
- Lean beef
- Fortified cereals
- Liver
- Molasses
- Egg yolk
- Pumpkin seed
- Fish eggs
- Legumes
- Oysters
- Soybeans
- Clams
- Beetroots
- Kidney beans
- Squashes
- Lentils
- Potatoes
- Nuts (walnuts, almonds)
- Broccoli
- Green leafy vegetable
- Beans
- Quinoa
- Dry fruits
- Shellfish
- Whole grains (brown rice)
- Turkey
2. Taking prescribed iron supplements
Some health situations may result in poor absorption of Iron from food sources in your body. Your doctor may recommend iron supplements and the correct dosage for such scenarios. These supplements are tablets or pills that supply your body with the adequate Iron and minerals required by your body cells (12). However, you must follow the prescribed dosage, as an overdose may be dangerous. Also, taking an overdose does not yield faster results.
3. Take Food Rich in Vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C stimulate your body’s iron absorption ability. Some of these include strawberries, oranges, melons, and tomatoes.
4. Taking Iron-rich fruits
Anemic patients should intentionally take fruits, including bananas, mulberries, apples, blackcurrants, and pomegranates.
5. Taking iron injections
Severe cases of Anemia may require intravenous injections as a treatment to boost iron levels.
Precaution
- A doctor must recommend iron supplements. It is dangerous to take iron supplements without medical consultation.
- Taking extra Iron may change your bowel movement. If you are prone to stomach upset bolts, mention it to your doctor during the consultation.
- Do not take iron supplements with antacids. You may take the iron supplements two hours before or after taking the antacids.
Possible Side Effects
When taking iron supplements, the correct dosage is of great importance. Increasing iron levels according to prescription will effectively stimulate hair growth. However, taking an overdose is dangerous and will not speed up your treatment process.
Taking iron supplements for only the recommended time frame is also recommended. An overdose of Iron may result in
- Liver damage
- Cancer (Breast, Colorectal cancer)
- Tissues damage
- Upset stomach
- Abdominal pains and severe cramping
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fibrosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Black or bloody stools
- Diabetes
- Decreased blood pressure
- Cardiovascular complications
- Hemochromatosis
- Increased heart rate
These side effects may be fatal in extreme conditions. Therefore, always consult your doctor and wait for your test results, proper diagnosis, and prescriptions.
Summary
Although you have different hair care procedures and routines, you may suddenly experience an unusual amount of hair loss. This hair loss may be a result of iron deficiency. However, you will need to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. When iron is consumed, a certain amount is stored as ferritin in non-essential tissues such as the hair bulbs. This supply of ferritin in the hair bulb is used in the formation of the hair protein, ensuring hair growth. When the iron supply in the body is depleted, the body reaches the non-essential tissues to extract the stored iron for vital organs. The stored ferritin in the hair bulb is extracted as well. Therefore, adequate oxygen supply is not made to the hair follicles and this may lead to death and hair loss. However, this is reversible, an intentional increment of the iron level will resolve the situation and stimulate hair growth. When you are diagnosed with iron deficiency – anemia, you may need to make some changes to your lifestyles, such as exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep. This will also include various forms of treatment to boost your iron level. Although iron deficiency has been shown as a repeated consistency amongst patients with hair loss cases, further medical research is being made as hair loss may be a result of other factors such as genetics (13).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long do you need to take iron supplements or fortified diets before visible improvements can be noticed?
You may need to take the supplements and fortified diets and wait at least three months for the iron replenishments to show visible work. Also, report all notable changing situations to your doctor. If no improvement is noticed, you may need to recheck your iron and ferritin levels.
Can your body produce Iron?
No, the body cannot produce Iron on its own. Iron has to be consumed regularly.
References –
- “Hair loss in long-term or home parenteral nutrition: are micronutrient deficiencies to blame?” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Iron-Deficiency Anemia” – hematology.org
- “Low iron stores: a risk factor for excessive hair loss in non-menopausal women” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Anaemia” – philipkingsley.com
- “Ferritin” – labtestsonline.org
- “The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss” – jaad.org
- “Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Iron-Deficiency Anemia” – nhlbi.nih.gov
- “Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Hair loss” – mayoclinic.org
- “The effect of autologous activated platelet‐rich plasma injection on female pattern hair loss: A randomized placebo‐controlled study” – onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- “Iron deficiency anemia” – mayoclinic.org
- “The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss” – jaad.org
