Hair loss is often an embarrassing problem for both men and women. While it is more common in men, and thus somewhat easier to accept, in women it can be devastating. While there may be a number of causes for hair loss, one of them that is easy to remedy is hair loss caused by anemia.
Anemia is the reduction in blood serum iron, resulting in a reduced production of hemoglobin. This condition then affects the health of the hair follicles, since the scalp normally already has a generally reduced blood supply.
In women, anemia is common due to blood lost during menstruation, so if anemia results it is often accompanied by some amount of hair loss, or alopecia. It has been found that iron deficiency is a common precursor to women's hair loss conditions, and over 70% of mature women having some hair loss have chronic or acute iron deficiency.
Typical symptoms of anemia include hair loss, a pale look, spoon-shaped fingernails, excessive dryness and loss of hair color, weight loss, fatigue and depression.
Besides too little iron supplied by foods, a vitamin C deficiency can also result in an iron deficiency. Excessive amounts of caffeine can also reduce the amount of iron absorbed from foods
Nutritional sources of iron include lean red meat, egg yolks, dark, leafy greens such as spinach and collards, broccoli, dried fruit like raisins and prunes, steamed clams, oysters or scallops, chicken or turkey giblets and liver. Vitamin C taken with meals or adding foods high in vitamin C can greatly improve the amount of iron absorbed from all foods.
Aside from food rich in iron, certain foods actually reduce absorption of iron. These include soybeans and all soy products, dried beans and split peas, bran, and caffeine-rich coffee and tea.
Anemia can be best determined by a ferritin test that your health care provides can request. A simple blood test showing serum iron may not be reliable since iron levels fluctuate normally. Ferritin is an iron-related protein that is stored in your body, and its amount is related to the iron that is available for building hemoglobin and other iron-based metabolism.
When hair loss is connected to a diagnosis of iron deficiency or anemia, it should be simple and straightforward to correct the problem by taking more iron-rich foods, iron supplements and vitamin C. Iron supplements can cause constipation in some individuals, so take plenty of water and firer-rich foods as well.