Iron for Hair Growth: A Complete Guide – nicehair.org

Iron for Hair Growth: A Complete Guide

Despite the fact that science is still trying to establish a link between anemia and hair thinning/shedding in patients who complain about hair loss, iron deficiency is often linked to poor hair health. Most women will notice hair thinning during their period, which often resolves itself shortly after. Unless hair loss is the sign of […]

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Last updated: Dec 10, 2019

Despite the fact that science is still trying to establish a link between anemia and hair thinning/shedding in patients who complain about hair loss, iron deficiency is often linked to poor hair health. Most women will notice hair thinning during their period, which often resolves itself shortly after. Unless hair loss is the sign of a serious illness, it could be reversed by taking iron supplements and making a few diet adjustments, which we will expand on below.

How does iron increase hair growth and promote hair health?

Iron is vital to the proper functioning of the human body and necessary, but not sufficient when it comes to hair health. You need an additional combination of many other nutrients for it to work with in order to maximize the way your body uses energy, recovers from physical strain and regenerates its tissues and cells.

Iron is responsible for producing red blood cells. These are your body’s principal means of delivering oxygen and nutrients to all organs and systems, as they act as “carriers” for other compounds. If your hair roots (follicles) receive all the nutrients they need, your hair will grow longer and look healthier in time.

Best Iron Supplements for Hair Growth

It is unlikely that you have an iron deficiency, but it is possible and hair loss can be a sign of iron deficiency. The best thing you can do to naturally increase your intake of iron is to consume the foods listed on this page. However, your doctor may recommend that you take an iron supplement in the short term to quickly build up your iron levels. In some cases other factors may have a negative impact on your iron levels, meaning you need to supplement to build them back up.

  • Slow release vegetable based iron supplement

    MegaFood Blood Builder Tablets

    Around $30 for 90 tablets

    • Helps with hair growth and tissue regeneration
    • Reverses and prevents anaemia, gives you more energy and combats fatigue
    • All natural

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • Non constipating iron supplement

    Solgar Gentle Iron 25mg

    Around $20 for 180 capsules

    • No additives, artificial colors or flavors
    • Contains iron bisglycinate for maximum absorption
    • Contributes to hair growth and to general well-being
    • Suitable for vegetarians, safe if you are gluten and dairy intolerant or allergic to soy

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • Rainbow Light High Potency Iron Supplement for Hair

    Rainbow Light Complete Iron System Food-Grown Iron Supplement Tablets

    Around $11 for 60 tablets

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    • Contains natural ingredients to prevent excess iron build-up
    • Easy to absorb, doesn’t irritate your stomach lining

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • High potency chewable Iron Supplement for hair

    Nature’s Plus – Chewable Iron with Vitamin C

    Around $15 for 90 tablets

    • Contains nothing artificial
    • Provides a wide range of nutrients for a strong body and healthy hair
    • Can be chewed and not swallowed or dissolved

    Ingredients

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  • Easy Absorption Iron Supplement for hair growth

    Nature Made Iron 65mg

    Around $8 for 180 tablets

    • The equivalent of 325 mg ferrous sulfate
    • Essential to the formation of red blood cells and tissue regeneration
    • Improves overall well-being and hair health

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • Hair growth supplement containing iron

    Viviscal Hair Nutrient Tablets

    Around $40 for 60 tablets

    • Contains a mix of nutrients to maximize the benefits of this supplement: improves the look and feel of your hair, skin and nails (AminoMar); helps you stay stronger and more fit
    • Natural, additive-free
    • One of the most popular supplements for hair growth worldwide

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • High bio-availability iron supplement

    Natural Factors Easy Iron Chewables

    Around $15 for 60 tablets

    • Fruit flavoured, gentle on the stomach
    • No artificial ingredients
    • Helps with hair growth and tissue regeneration

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • High absorption liquid iron supplement

    Spatone Pur-absorb Iron

    Around $20 for 18oz

    • 40% bioavailability (the amount of iron available for absorption)
    • Doesn’t irritate the stomach lining
    • Helps with iron deficiencies that affect the look and feel of your hair, skin and nails

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • Hair supplement with iron

    Vitabiotics Wellman HAIRFOLLIC

    Around £20 for 60 tablets

    • Contains as many as 30 nutrients for optimal supplementation
    • All of these nutrients, including iron, work together to improve your hair health and overall well-being
    • Suitable for vegetarians
    • Contains cysteine, which has been shown to increase hair growth
    • Contains niacin, which may increase blood flow to the hir

    Ingredients

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  • Gradual absorption iron supplement

    Feosol Natural Release Iron

    Around $15 for 60 tablets

    • Very safe to take – natural absorption, gentle for the stomach
    • Contains carbonyl iron, a pure form of iron
    • Natural ingredients that minimize excessive iron build-up in the long term

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

Foods high in Iron

  • Mollusks food high in iron

    Mollusks

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Vitamins A, C
    • Riboflavin
    • Niacin
    • Selenium
    • Folate
    • Niacin
    • Copper
    • Manganese

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 81 kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 2g

  • Organic liver containing lots of iron

    Liver

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Vitamins A, C
    • Zinc
    • Riboflavin
    • Niacin
    • Folate
    • Phosphorus
    • Selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 191 kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 5g

  • Organic pumpkin seeds

    Pumpkin seeds

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Magnesium
    • Phosphorus
    • Copper
    • Zinc
    • Protein

    Key facts per 100g:

    • Energy: 559kcal
    • Sugar: 10g
    • Fat: 49g

  • Mixed nuts containing iron

    Nuts

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Vitamin E
    • Calcium
    • Riboflavin
    • Magnesium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 575 kcal
    • Sugar: 4g
    • Fat: 49g

  • Organic beef food high in iron

    Beef

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Vitamins C, B12
    • Riboflavin
    • Niacin
    • Copper
    • Selenium
    • Phosphorus

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 145 kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 4g

  • Organic mixed beans good source of iron

    Beans and pulses

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Vitamins C, K, B6
    • Magnesium
    • Calcium
    • Copper
    • Pantothenic acid
    • Phosphorus
    • Riboflavin
    • Folate

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 29 kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 0g

  • Organic baby leaf salad good sources of iron

    Dark leafy greens

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Vitamins A, C, B6
    • Magnesium
    • Phosphorus
    • Potassium
    • Thiamin
    • Dietary fiber

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 15 kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 0g

  • Organic 90% Chocolate

    Dark chocolate

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Manganese
    • Calcium
    • Copper

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 599 kcal
    • Sugar: 24g
    • Fat: 43g

  • Organic stone ground bread

    Whole grains

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Magnesium
    • Vitamin B7 (delays greying)
    • Vitamin B6
    • Calcium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 247 kcal
    • Sugar: 6g
    • Fat: 3.4g

  • Tofu

    Tofu

    Key nutrients

    • Iron
    • Calcium
    • Magnesium
    • Phosphorus
    • Copper
    • Selenium
    • Manganese
    • Protein

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 70 kcal
    • Sugar: 1g
    • Fat: 4g

Conclusion and advice

While supplements cannot miraculously reverse alopecia or reduce shedding overnight, they may help increase hair growth and support any treatment that might have been prescribed to you. Supplements should never replace a healthy lifestyle and should always be part of a balanced, varied diet. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any course of medication or supplementation. Abusing iron supplements or taking the wrong type of supplements may lead to iron overload, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.

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