Let’s talk about how iron affects your hair, skin, and nails. Our bodies have no internal mechanism to regulate the elimination of iron. It’s essential that your iron levels are balanced because both an iron deficiency and excess iron can be devastating. An iron deficiency is a very common problem. People diagnosed with a deficiency of iron are told to take elemental iron—which is not the best form of iron for absorption.
Taking elemental iron can cause symptoms of an iron deficiency to last, and it won’t take care of the root problem. It’s best to get your iron from your diet instead of a supplement. If you have to take a supplement, make sure it contains dehydrated beef liver or spleen extract. An iron deficiency can affect your skin and lead to sallow skin, which can cause:
- Paleness
- Yellowing
- Dullness
- An uneven skin tone
- Blemishes
An iron deficiency can affect your nails, causing:
- Brittleness
- Spooning
An iron deficiency can affect your hair, causing:
- A loss of texture
- Brittleness
- Toughness
- Pattern hair loss
- Thinning
Top causes of an iron deficiency:
- Not consuming enough iron
- A lack of hydrochloric acid
- Gut inflammation
- Consuming foods high in phytic acid
- Consuming too much bran
- Consuming too much copper
- Lead present in your body
- Blood loss
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Alcohol consumption
How to boost iron:
1. Consume red meat
2. Take betaine hydrochloride (5 to 7 before a meal)
3. Stop eating foods that block iron
4. Stop eating foods that create inflammation
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps you better understand how iron affects your hair, skin, and nails. I’ll see you in the next article.
