Can An Iron Deficiency Cause Dark Circles Under Eyes & What About Vitamins?

Nutrition is important for optimum health for all the body parts including the skin. Dark circles may be caused due to poor diet and deficiency of various vitamins and minerals. Proper blood flow is required to prevent dark circles. Blood blow improves skin tone and also helps in energy production. These factors help reduce dark circles.

Anemia: Iron deficiency is a cause of anemia. The iron deficiency is mainly caused by the low level of the mineral iron. Low level of iron decreases the level of red blood cells. The iron plays an important role in the preparation of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein of the red blood cells that are responsible for the supply of oxygen in the body. Because of iron deficiency, the concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells reduces. As red blood cells are responsible for the red color, the thin layer of the skin under the eye becomes dark².

Tiredness in The Patients: Patients with iron deficiency feel tiredness in the body. Because of iron deficiency, the oxygenated blood does not reach the tissues and the body does not get the required amount of the energy. When the need for energy is not completed, the functions of various reactions reduces. This may lead to dark circles.

Vitamin K: Vitamin k deficiency is a common cause of dark circles. When the level of vitamin K is low in the body, the capillaries may weaken and leak. This results in poor and blocked circulation under the eyes, leading to dark circles below the eyelid.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant and prevents skin damage due to various free radicals. When the level of vitamin A is low in the blood then the skin of the body becomes dry and dull leading to dark skin under eyes.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is responsible for maintaining the moisture and tone of the skin. Because of vitamin E deficiency skin of the body become dull. When the level of vitamin E is low the sign of aging will also visible on your eyes³.

VITAMIN B-12: The low level of vitamin B 12 causes anemia and decrease the level of red blood cell in the body. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 also reduces the metabolic function of the body which are important for energy production. If the energy production is low in the body, then the patients feel weak and a dark shadow occurs under the eye eyelids⁴.

Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most common reasons for dark circles. Fatigue may be caused due to poor nutrition, doing work on the computer for a prolonged period and due to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation may lead to dull and pale skin and increases the visibility of the dark tissue and blood vessels under the eyes.

Eye Strain: Eye strain is caused during watching T.V and computer screen. Because of eye strain, the visibility of blood vessels is increased under the eye and the skin below eye become darker.

Genetics: The family history may also be responsible for dark circles below the eyes. This cause of dark circle is often seen in childhood.

Allergy: The allergic reaction is also a cause of dark circles. When the patients have any type of allergic reaction then the human body releases the histamine. The histamine increases the size of the blood vessels below the eyes and enhances the visibility of the blood vessels.

Sun Overexposure: The sunlight can cause the pigmentation around the skin of the eyes and the skin below the eyes becomes darker¹.

Iron deficiency leads to reduced hemoglobin concentration. Hemoglobin imparts a red color to blood as well as supply oxygen. Reduced hemoglobin may lead to dark circles. Further, deficiency of certain vitamins such as Vitamin A, K, E, and B12 may also result in dark circles.

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• Why Do We Get Dark Circles Under Our Eye?
• 15 Simple Ways to Banish Dark Circles Naturally
• Tips To Reduce Dark Circles
• How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Dark Circles & Which Is The Fastest Way To Remove Dark Circles?