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.
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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
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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
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Rainbow Light Complete Iron System Food-Grown Iron Supplement Tablets
Around $11 for 60 tablets
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- Easy to absorb, doesn’t irritate your stomach lining
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
How to Trigger Rapid Hair Growth
To learn about the method I used to provoke new hair growth and significantly increase hair density, use the link below:
Foods 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
Liver
Key nutrients
- Iron
- Vitamins A, C
- Zinc
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Folate
- Phosphorus
- Selenium
Key facts per 100g
- Energy: 191 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 5g
Pumpkin seeds
Key facts per 100g:
- Energy: 559kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Fat: 49g
Nuts
Key nutrients
- Iron
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Riboflavin
- Magnesium
Key facts per 100g
- Energy: 575 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 49g
Beef
Key nutrients
- Iron
- Vitamins C, B12
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Copper
- Selenium
- Phosphorus
Key facts per 100g
- Energy: 145 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 4g
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
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
Dark chocolate
Key nutrients
- Iron
- Manganese
- Calcium
- Copper
Key facts per 100g
- Energy: 599 kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Fat: 43g
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
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.
