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Hair Loss and Nutrition
ShareWhat is Hair Loss?
Hair loss, or baldness in its extreme, is the medical term used to describe inexplicable hair loss from the head and body. Most people lose anywhere between 70-150 hairs per day, mainly through washing, brushing and combing. And when it is lost faster than it can be replaced hair loss may result.
When hair loss is permanent, it is normally an inherited condition in which the hair can’t be regenerated. Temporary hair loss on the other hand may be caused by many reasons, including a nutritional deficiencies and an inadequate diet. Hence, nutrition can be an effective hair loss treatment.
Nutrition and Hair Loss
They say you are what you eat, and your hair may well be too. A healthier diet strengthens the individual cell health in the body, including the health of cells found in hair follicles.
Cells within the hair follicle have certain metabolic requirements that must be met for hair growth to occur. This means they require certain vitamins, minerals and proteins in amounts relative to their metabolic requirements, or they will otherwise no longer grow, hair may fall out and breakages may begin to occur.
The modern diet is rich in refined, processed foods often devoid of key nutrients required for hair growth. It is also worth noting that diets high in fat, animal proteins may also cause hair loss as they damage the kidneys and create acidity in the blood.
Foods for Hair Loss
Whether you are shedding your hair or have lost it altogether, it is possible to prevent further hair loss or breakages, and generate new growth, through a proper diet and supportive supplementation. Read on for more information on the top foods essential to any healthy hair diet.
Foods Rich in Vitamins A & C
These vitamins are both used by the body to produce a substance called Sebum, which is secreted by the hair follicles and used as a natural conditioner to the hair roots. Dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach are an excellent source of both Vitamin A & C.
Foods Rich in the B Vitamins
Vitamin B is especially important to the strength and growth of hair. Vitamins B2 (Riboflavin), B5 (Pantothenic acid) and B6 (Biotin) strengthen the hair follicle promoting hair growth, whereas B12 deficiencies have recently been linked by science to increased hair loss. Foods such as red meat, dairy products, eggs, wholegrains and leafy green vegetables as excellent sources of B vitamins.
Foods Rich in Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and Omega-6 hydrate the hair follicle, preventing breakages and hair loss. They also act as a natural conditioner, moisturizing the scalp that ensures scalp health. Foods rich in Essential fatty acids include salmon, sardines, mackerel, flaxseed, nuts, pumpkin seeds and avocado.
Foods Rich in Iron & Protein
Hair loss may be the sign of an Iron deficiency, which may be corrected in a matter of months by a diet rich in red meat, eggs, legumes, wholegrain cereals and dark green leafy vegetables.
Foods rich in protein stimulate hair growth as well as prevent further fall out by reinforcing the hair follicle. Foods rich in protein include red meat, poultry, fish & seafood, dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds.
Foods Rich in Silica
Silica is an important mineral that stimulates growth and strengthens the hair. Silica can be naturally absorbed from foods such as cucumber, celery, leafy vegetables, strawberries, brown rice and oats.
For more information about how nutrition can help with hair loss, see a nutritionist in your local area.
Find out about other effective natural hair loss treatments.
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