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Hair Loss Due To Low Iron

Let's face it that everyone suffers from hair loss. Most of us have a bad hair day or occasional gray, but for a hairy situation that gives a sinking feeling and upsets both men and women is hair loss. You can either choose to deal with it gracefully or save yourself from embarrassment by using wigs to cover bald spots. Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Hair loss makes you feel helpless and confused.

It is more apparent in men as compared to women, however, the reasons for hair loss differ for both genders. Hereditary hair loss or androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss seen in men and women. This typical hair loss can be mostly seen in men than women. Those with inherited hair loss show signs of hair loss before age 40. About half of all men show signs of hair loss by age 50. This does not mean that women are on a safer side when it comes to hair shedding problem. Hair thinning and hair loss can also occur in women, and its reasons can range from the simple and temporary - a mineral deficiency such as iron - to the more complex, like an underlying health condition.

Every time you leave the shower, do you see the drain clogged with hair? Even when you comb your hair, you notice more than 150 strands of hair on the comb. This is really frightening! Have you ever wondered what can be the reason behind your hair to fall out? While hair care products are important to nourish your hair externally, it is also important that you keep an eye on your diet.

The way you spend your time on contemplating about hair products that would ensure healthy growth of hair, similarly it is also necessary that you do not overlook what's in your platter. For healthy and stronger hair, nutrients are extremely vital. According to experts, iron is the most essential nutrient required for hair to get into healthy shape. It is a well-known fact that lack of iron can result in hair loss. The primary purpose of iron is to carry oxygen to the roots that would ensure overall growth and wellness of hair.

Before exploring more about hair loss due to deficiency of iron, let's understand the process of hair growth. Hair follows its own growth cycle and that mainly happens in two phases: Anagen and Telogen. In anagen or active phase, root cells divide quickly, pushing the hair out. This phase lasts an average of two to three years. When hair totally enters the resting phase for roughly 100 days, it is a part of telogen phase.

In clinical terms, iron deficiency is known as hyperferremia or sideropenia and it is the most common nutritional deficiency in women and children. Lack of iron leads to anemia which occurs when loss of iron on a daily basis is not balanced by the daily iron intake. When this condition continues, it develops into anemia. Hair loss is a typical symptom of iron deficiency.

Causes Hair Loss in Women Due to Iron Deficiency:

As opposed to men, women have more likelihood to suffer from hair loss due to lack of iron-rich diet. In many women, too-heavy bleeding during periods is number one cause of iron deficiency. This is linked to hair loss, which happens when you do not receive enough iron intake in your daily diet. Another reason for hair shedding in women is pregnancy, where women experiences heavy bleeding during and after childbirth which eventually results in anemia and hair loss. These are just three reasons why women suffers from hair loss due to lack of iron intake. According to studies, lack of iron is most common cause for women experiencing hair thinning.

Causes of Hair Loss in Men Due to Iron Deficiency:

Lack of iron is not something which can be only associated with women, but even men have to deal with this problem. Chronic diarrhea is one of the causes for loss of iron. Men who take medications to bring down stomach acids may suffer from health issues which leads to iron deficiency. There are also some foods that can decrease the absorption of iron into the blood stream, such as coffee, tea, soybeans and various other foods. Experts suggest that men who experience loss of blood or who are on a vegetarian diet have a low proportion of iron.

How Hair Loss Occurs Due to Lack of Iron Intake?

When a person is found to be iron deficient, he/she experiences hair shedding slowly. This gradually persists, when hair density on the scalp continues to decline. Hair loss occurs due to increased production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which weakens hair follicles. Hair follicles become oversensitive to DHT and you start to notice hair shedding.

When the iron levels in the cells fall, the mitochondria are forced to compensate for declining energy-giving ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production with the alternative, testosterone. More testosterone invariably leads to more DHT.

Get more iron in your diet

Iron deficiency can lead to several medical problems. Its a good idea to consult your doctor and get your iron levels checked. Depending on iron supplements is also not sufficient as you need to maintain a balanced diet to get essential nutrients to your hair. Make sure you get plenty of iron to reduce the risk of hair loss. Iron supplements should not be taken by people sick with fever or bacterial infections and also not by those who just underwent surgery.

Include leafy vegetables, beans and lentils, cereals and breads that are fortified with iron, red meat, raisins in your diet, which are a great source of iron. It is recommended that women between the ages of 19 and 50 typically need 18 milligrams per day. Vitamin C is required so that your body can iron. If you want to take iron rich diet you need to keep a check on Vitamin C as well. Be cautious to not overdo iron intake as you as it may damage internal organs and raise the risk of diabetes, heart stroke, especially in older people.