Iron Deficiency May Be Missing Link to Healthy Hair Growth

Iron Deficiency May Be Missing Link to Healthy Hair Growth

If you’re a hairlista, you might be aware that protein, B vitamins, green veggies, and lot of water are all key components to healthy, growing hair. But one element might be missing from your internal hair care regimen–iron.

Author : Christelyn Karazin

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Could your hair be telling you you’re iron deficient?

If you’re a hairlista, you might be aware that protein, B vitamins, green veggies, and lot of water are all key components to healthy, growing hair. But one element might be missing from your internal hair care  regimen–iron. Women who suffer from heavy monthly periods or fibroids are especially vulnerable to iron deficiency and anemia because of increased blood loss. Since iron helps to carry oxygen to all the cells of the body, then you can guess how a low iron count can slow activity of the scalp. Studies even show that iron deficiency can cause hair loss. Since I suffer from both heavy periods and fibroids, all that blood-letting leaves me weak and iron starved, so I’ve tried a variety of different modes to deliver this element so that it is readily and easily absorbed by my body. The old school way is Mom’s liver and onions, but no chance in Hades am I going to choke that down.

Since I’m not a fan of pills (they are horrid at absorption; don’t let the label fool you), I lean toward iron delivery in liquid form. Here’s my two favorites:

Floradix Iron + Herbs ($35.00) I used this formula religiously after I gave birth to The Babster. For reasons probably attributed to stress (her premature birth, my father’s death) I bled for almost two months. I started taking the iron and herbs, and the bleeding ceased and I regained energy. It has a pleasant taste that reminds me of prune juice. The only downside is the expense. One bottle only lasts two weeks.

I’m really excited about a new product I’ve discovered called Spatone purAbsorb Iron, which delivers iron in a low dose is small water-based liquid packs that you can drink straight. The directions recommend you take the supplement in diluted orange juice, because the Vitamin C helps with absorption. Since fruit juice of any kind (except lemon and lime) is a no-no for me, I’ll just squeeze some fresh lime juice in a glass of water and put the contents of the packet in. It tastes just like water with a tinge of metallic aftertaste, but nowhere near gag-worthy. The marketing materials claim the water comes from the “Snowdonia mountain range in North Wales, United Kingdom.” I don’t really care where it’s from as long as it works, and at $17.99, you get 28 packets–about a month’s worth.

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PamelaFoster 604 pts

Excellent info!  Also ladies, don't forget your scalp massages which decreases muscle tension and increases blood flow. It can strengthen the roots/follicles of your hair -->> leading to hair growth!!  You can massage your scalp at home or visit your local massage therapist [shameless plug] :)) 

Toni_M 18755 pts moderator

This is definitely something I have to keep on top of for similar reasons. I try and eat a lot of iron rich foods and when necessary, take iron pills. I've seen the problems it's caused women in my family (it almost killed my mother), and issues caused by a lack of iron are something I want to avoid.

 

I never considered the hair loss angle, but it makes sense. Thanks for the article!

Brenda55 19294 pts moderator

Franchesca ( "Shit White Girls Say...To Black Girls")  is back and this is a hoot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=x-ciMuVhDXA

R. Kamaria 854 pts

 Brenda55 I really loved the video. The folks making comments are a lil crazy though. In the video there is a range of black women with different hair textures. The only thing the dingbats can comment and complain about is that there aren't any "full" black women represented. Hmmm. How do they know these women's ethnic make up? Additionally, Chesca is a dark brown skinned woman. Are those people on crack? lol. The video has a good message. 

Brenda55 19294 pts moderator

 R. Kamaria Yeah I saw that mess in the comment section and SMDH.

Look I know us dark gals have a lot of pain re. colorism. I have eaten my share. But. I cannot hate on light skinned black women.  That would mean hating on my mom and my sisters and my niece and my grandmother and aunts.  That would mean hating on my dad for choosing my  mom. 

My family never made me feel less than because I was the dark daughter. That crap happened outside of my home at the hands of strangers and distant relatives, usually black males. My family was alway there so soothe the wounds and my husband makes me feel like I am the most beautiful women he ever saw. 

 

On the other hand my family was there for my lighter sisters who got the reverse side of it by being seen as a skin shade first and foremost and nothing more. Black men have nothing to say about any other race of man walking the earth and skin fetish. 

 

What can I say is there are a lot of color struck tricked up people out there and their pathology keeps black women at each others throats while we are each being played for fools. Us dark sisters need to direct the pain at the practitioners and not at our sisters who through no control of their own over their appearance have their own painful  and soul crushing experiences to deal with.  

Toni_M 18755 pts moderator

 R. Kamaria  Brenda55 I think the fact that they went there shows just how far the point of the humor went over their heads. Fact: Hair grows. If it doesn't, it's due to some sort of deficiency/health issue or you're using products that's causing it harm. Other wise...it's gonna grow.

 

Case and point, my mom, who has naturally kinky hair but puts relaxers in it on occassion. She's discovered that if she simply wears a wig and leaves her hair alone, it will grow by leaps and bounds. She does nothing to it, and she, unlike me, can relax her hair repeatedly and not suffer any breakage.

 

She also found that she liked the "natural" look of her current look and thinks that she might do that with her actual hair.

 

 

I think it shows how little some black women understand their own hair, and it's sad. If you honestly don't think your hair will grow long because of your "blackness", you've been misinformed. Proper hair care and patience WILL see growth. You just can't go around expecting four feet of hair to materialize in a matter of months. :/

 

A lot of the women in the video had been growing their hair out for about a DECADE. In other words, lightness or darkness had nothing to do with it...but PATIENCE did.

Toni_M 18755 pts moderator

 R. Kamaria  Brenda55 I think that was at the heart of the "full black" concern, besides the accusations of colorism (again, did they not take a hard look at the person who put up the video? O_o): This idea that videos like this are for women with light-skin because of a misconception that it's easier for lighter-skin womened to grow out their hair.

 

That's a lie.

Toni_M 18755 pts moderator

 Brenda55 LOL, someone sent this to me and I loved it. XD The part where the one woman calls out her haters (even grandma)! Was hilarious.

MySmile 4172 pts

Thank you!! This is just what I need..I tried hairfinity vitamins (they worked) and my hair grew but they are expensive. I'm now taking biotin supplements but I'll try taking iron and see if it grows faster. Others factors led me to believe I have an iron deficiency anyway. Even though my hair grows, it sheds like crazy!!! I feel like every time I grow my hair, I lose it within the next week. I seriously started to wonder if something was wrong.

Ladyt90 5 pts

I have been anemic since 2009 and my doctor recommended to take Vitron C, which is a iron supplement infused with Vitamin C for absorption. It's really good on the stomach except for the God awful after taste when you burp, lol. But, I noticed since then, my hair has gotten really thick and has been the healthiest it has ever been. So, iron supplements really make a difference!

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 1843 pts

Thanx Christelyn  ...I am anemic and PurAbsorb may be the answer to my absorption issues. My issue is with energy and not necessarily hair, so those who are suffering from other afflictions may benefit!

My latest conversation: oltc | Black Women Deserve Better™

sMoriarty 505 pts

Just take a multivitamin, and maybe a biotin supplement. Also, drink plenty of water if you want your hair to grow. Thats all i do and my hair grows pretty well. Also, as a personal choice, I don't use any hair products. Not really. Olive oil, coconut oil, water. A co-wash every few days, and a full wash once a week. Boom done. My hair is a little past armpit length.

 

Im really bummed out that they're going to chop my hair off in the Navy, but hey, it'll grow back. 

thecrazyartist 2216 pts

I take iron now, I have always been anemic and my hair shedding was out of control, after 3 months of regular supplementation I am now regaining thickness.

JennMJack 1180 pts

This is really informative. I think many curlies fail to realize how important internal health is to external beauty.