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Iron and hair growth - critical must-know information

7/1/2015

 
Iron is critical for healthy hair growth. When you're iron deficient:
  • Hair is dry, brittle and dull
  • You could start shedding more hair
  • Your hair could get thinner

Iron deficiency is common in women because we lose A LOT of it during menstruation and pregnancy.

Iron uptake inhibitors!

Research suggests that when levels of zinc and iron are the same in a multivitamin your iron uptake will be much lower. Zinc interferes with the iron uptake. If you want to stop this from happening there should be 3 times more iron than zinc in your multivitamin. I'm going to get a new multivitamin because mine actually has less iron than zinc - oops!

Coffee, tea and calcium-rich foods, e.g. dairy can also inhibit iron uptake so they should be taken several hours after eating iron-rich foods to optimise iron absorption.

Iron uptake promoters

Vitamin C. This is found in especially high amounts in citrus fruits, e.g. oranges including orange juice, lemons, strawberries, kiwi and cherries. A small glass of orange juice with or after a meal is a good way to improve your iron uptake.

Which foods are rich in iron?
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Iron rich foods include: dark green leafy vegetables, liver, red kidney beans, egg yolks, mollusks and dried fruit.
How much iron do you need per day?

According to the National Institute of Health, NIH, women need:
  • 8 mg/day if you're aged 9 to 13
  • 15 mg/day if you're aged 14 to 18
  • 18 mg/day if you're aged 19 to 50 
  • 8 mg/day if you're aged 51+
  • 27 mg/day when you're pregnant
Iron rich foods include: 

  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Liver
  • Red kidney beans
  • Egg yolks
  • Mollusks (clams, oysters, scallops)
  • Dried fruit, e.g. raisins
  • Cereals fortified with iron
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anjaneik
19/8/2014 02:22:40 am

Hello. I was wandering if you have an oil or hair growth vitamin that helps aid in hair growth and or thickening of hair. Im looking for hair shaft strengthner as well

Roxy
7/1/2015 07:53:52 am

Try biotin tablets that's good for hair growth and castor oil also good for hair growth and thicknens the hair. However good clean diet with lots of fruit and vegetables is key and drink lots of water it will really do your hair growth some justice.

Tyrena
7/1/2015 10:17:04 am

I didn't know that about the zinc. Going to have to look around for a good milti vitamin.

NubianPrize
7/1/2015 10:49:10 am

I'm post menopausal & STILL have to take iron even tho I eat iron rich foods. Some folks are just different. I'm on a Weight Watchers message board for women over 50 & a lot of them have had to take iron,too. Everyone is different Do you have any advice for post menopausal women who're having growth problems? I made an essential oil mix last year that's the same as yours except I'm using only Jamaican black castor oil with it.

Natalie
7/1/2015 06:47:57 pm

Being iron deficient makes you anemic. My menstrual cycle was outrageously out of control due to fibroids...I felt like I had no energy when my cycle got into day 2. It got to be so bad my Doctor was talking a transfusion!! I started taking 2 65mg iron tablets just to get my count up!! It defeated the purpose so I opted for a hysterectomy and I feel brand new. So yes iron is crucial but don't take too much because it can harm your liver.

D.E.
7/1/2015 08:24:41 pm

Wow, I did not know about the whole Iron to Zinc ratio! I thought I was safe taking this Women's Multi that I have just finished...no wonder!
I lean toward anemic, at times, so I will definitely be on the lookout with my next purchase of a Multivitamin.
Thanks.

DiscoveringNatural link
9/1/2015 12:47:57 am

Thanks for this wonderful blog post.


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