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June 2006


Can Iron Prevent Baldness?

The link between iron deficiency and hair loss is stronger than previously thought, according to a Fox News report, citing a recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dermatologists from the Cleveland Clinic recently reviewed 40 years of research and have concluded that they could enhance hair loss treatment when they treated the patient for iron deficiency.

Although the researchers don’t have a conclusive reason why, they do know that if a patient is losing their hair for whatever reason, their condition is worsened if they have too little iron in their blood, says Fox News.

One of the dermatologists, Ellen Cotsarelis, MD, warned that most doctors don’t recognize iron deficiency when they see it.

“Doctors see levels [indicating iron in the blood in the normal range, and don’t do anything,” she said. “But the normal range is wrong, I think.”

She went on to say that many doctors only consider hair loss an iron problem if the patient is anemic, which is not always the case.

Patients experiencing hair loss should try eating more iron-rich foods, which BloodBook.com says includes red meat, liver, potatoes, fresh green vegetables, fortified cereal, and watermelon.

However, WebMD warns that patients should never take iron supplements unless they have been told by their doctor that they are iron deficient or anemic.

Eating plenty of iron in a healthy diet is perfectly fine, but taking unnecessary iron supplements can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.

One company in Memphis, Tennessee, Selmedica Healthcare, encourages hair loss sufferers to eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron as well.

In addition, Selmedica now offers a product for balding people called Heradone, which they say promotes the natural balance of the scalp while stimulating blood flow to the root of thinning hair.