One of the primary causes of hair loss in premenopausal women is an iron deficiency. If worried about hair loss, your doctor has probably already tested you for anemia by running a panel of iron levels. But even with results suggesting normal levels—you could unknowingly, still be low on this essential vitamin. The body’s reserve of protein, called ferritin, can actually pull iron from other resources in the body to retain thyroid and iron balance, creating havoc on your hair.
The body’s reserve of protein, called ferritin, can actually pull iron from other resources in the body to retain thyroid and iron balance, creating havoc on your hair.
What should I look out for?
In iron deficiency, hair will feel thinner and dispersed rather than regional or patchy baldness. Symptoms can start from pregnancy, heavy menstruation, a deficiency in hydrochloric acid, and by taking strong antacids and calcium supplements with meals. Of course diet can also impact iron levels. Tannins in tea and coffee can inhibit iron absorption. Worried that we’ll divorce you from coffee? Never! Just space them out an hour before or after an iron-rich meal. Other secret inhibitors such as phytates are naturally found in nuts, legumes, egg whites, and grains, which also affect iron absorption. Use vinegar in salad dressings and cooking to enhance mineral absorption and offset this phytic acid.
How do I get my iron pumping iron? Help.
Don’t just pound a bunch of iron supplements in hopes for better hair. Strong doses are dangerous and cause much more harm then good. Instead, aim to eat cooked liver or beef twice per week. Incorporate mussels, lentils, tofu, beans, swiss chard, and egg yolks into your diet. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, so be sure to take a vitamin C supplement and squeeze lemon on rich vegetable sources, like spinach or broccoli. Keeping an acidic stomach environment with the help of a Betaine HCl Pepsin supplement can also increase iron absorption and help with digestion!
In the balance.
To ensure proper nutrients, our specially formulated Balance supplement contains anti-DHT-reducing compounds necessary for restored hair balance.
