Nutrients For Female Pattern Baldness

While hair loss is typically associated with men, women can experience it as well. Like other parts of the body, the health of your hair can suffer from poor nutrition. Making changes to the diet or using the right supplements may correct this problem. If you have been experiencing hair loss, you should see a doctor, however, to rule out more serious, underlying causes and you should also consult with her before using any dietary supplements.

Iron Supplements

Your body needs iron for various purposes, and a deficiency can lead to problems. An article published by doctors and dietitians from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in the May 2006 issue of the ‘’Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology’’ reports mixed evidence on whether iron deficiency leads to hair loss. The authors note that giving iron supplements to treat hair loss in the absence of anemia resulting from iron deficiency is not a routine treatment. They said, however, that iron supplements, even if the patients do not have anemia, appear to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments. Do not self-treat with iron supplements; excess levels pose serious risks. If you suspect an iron deficiency, see your doctor for testing.

Iron in the Diet

Ideally, you will get all the iron you need from your diet, though you may require supplements initially to correct a deficiency. Dietary iron comes in two forms and your body better absorbs the kind found in meat and fish. If you primarily eat plant sources of iron, such as iron-fortified cereals and beans, you should combine them with foods rich in vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron better.
Women age 19 to 50 require 18 milligrams of iron daily, while women 51 and older need 8 milligrams. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that vegetarians may need to consume twice the recommended daily allowance to compensate for the reduced absorption of iron from plant sources.

Lysine

An article in the July 2002 issue of ‘’Clinical and Experimental Dermatology’’ on the role of nutrition in hair loss reports that lysine supplementation might help treat female hair loss. This is an essential amino acid, meaning that your body cannot produce it on its own and you must get it from your diet or supplements. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports most people get enough lysine in their diet, which means that if you need larger amounts, you can only get them through supplements to achieve a medicinal effect, such as treating hair loss. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate dose.

Protein

Protein is the building block of all tissue. A 2002 article by D.H. Rushton from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, in ‘’Clinical and Experimental Dermatology’’ reports insufficient protein intake has been implicated as a cause of hair loss. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that most adults need .08 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight; pregnant and breastfeeding women require 1.1 grams. Individual factors might call for adjustments to this recommendation; your doctor can offer guidance on appropriate protein intake. All animal foods are good sources of protein. Good plant sources include soy products, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, quinoa and whole grains.

Other Considerations

Nurse practitioner Marcy Holmes of the Women to Women Health Center in Maine also advises women to adopt a diet that promotes healthy blood sugar levels. She explains that high insulin levels, which result from eating a diet rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates, might increase the production of male hormones that trigger hair loss.
While the advice to eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats might seem obvious, it is vital; these types of foods provide your body with all the nutrients it needs for optimal health in every way.