Worried about losing your hair? New research says that there may be a connection between baldness and iron deficiency!
Research published over the last forty years indicates that there may be a relationship between iron deficiency and some common kinds of hair loss. And people may need higher levels of iron than previously thought to be able to regrow hair. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic hope that detecting and treating iron deficiencies in the early stages of hair loss may help patients regrow hair more effectively.
Believe it or not, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. Improper diet and excessive blood loss can leave you with an iron deficiency.
Keep in mind that an iron deficiency isn’t the only cause of baldness. Hair loss is most often caused by genetics — you inherit the tendency to lose hair. At least half of all people have this kind of hair loss by the age of fifty. Hair loss can also be caused by ringworm, stress, and chemotherapy. But if adding more iron to your diet can help keep the hairs on your head, isn’t it worth trying?
How can you add more iron to your diet (without licking that old frying pan)? You can take an iron supplement, or you can try the following foods to help your body regain and absorb iron naturally.
- Add green, leafy vegetables to your diet — they are high in iron and other nutrients. Broccoli, lettuce, and tomatoes can help your body retain and regenerate iron. Don’t like those? Try beets, cabbage, celery, parsley, cherries, dates, figs, and pears.
- Take one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses daily — it has lots of iron.
- Whole wheat flour and oatmeal can help your body retain iron. Yeast and wheat germ are high in iron.
- Orange juice helps your body increase iron absorption.
- Drink well water — it often has more iron than city water. Don’t like the taste? Use well water to make juices and iced tea from mixes.