Iron Deficiency Hair Loss

Aging and hereditary may seem the common reason for hair loss. However, there are certain health conditions that can make your hair shed out. For instance, some sort of stress, underlying health condition or a certain type of medication can cause hair loss in many people. Occasionally, women who become vegetarian may also experience hair loss. If there is a dietary cause, the most likely are rapid thyroid problems, weight loss or iron deficiency. Zinc deficiency and not getting enough of the amino acid lysine could also be culprits. However, iron deficiency hair loss are most common among women.

Hair loss among women is not an unusual problem. Studies reveal that 34% of women from Japan, the USA, and the UK reported increased hair loss in their early 30s. The reasons for hair loss are complicated and can vary from person to person. Thus, it is important that you see a doctor who can diagnose the specific problem. In many cases, hairloss is diet-related. Hair loss sometimes occurs in rapid weight loss. In other cases, there are less obvious nutritional reasons for hair loss.

Iron is extremely important for maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.

Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. Listed below are the groups of people who are at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia:

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or have recently given birth
• Women who menstruate, particularly if menstrual periods are heavy
• People who have undergone major surgery or physical trauma
• People with peptic ulcer disease
• People who have undergone bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass operations
• Vegetarians and other people whose diets do not include iron-rich foods (Iron from vegetables, even those that are iron-rich, is not absorbed as well as iron from meat, poultry, and fish.)
• Children who drink more than 16 to 24 ounces a day of cow's milk (Cow's milk not only contains little iron, but it can also decrease absorption of iron and irritate the intestinal lining causing chronic blood loss.)