Hair Loss and Your Health
Hair loss has always been a natural catastrophe among both men and women alike. When one starts to lose their lustrous locks, you can’t help but notice. Hair-loss among women is not an unusual problem. In one study, 34% of women from Japan, the USA, and the United Kingdom reported increased hair-loss compared to 5 years earlier. The reasons for hair-loss are complicated and can vary from person to person. Thus, it is important to see a doctor who can diagnose the specific problem.
In some cases, hair-loss can be diet-related. Hair-loss sometimes occurs in rapid weight loss. In one study, hair grew back within a few months after weight loss. In other cases, there are less obvious nutritional reasons for hair-loss. Nutritional deficiencies can be a reason for accelerated hair shedding or temporary hair-loss. Conditions that may contribute to poor nutrition and cause hair-loss as a side effect include eating disorders such as anorexia. Anorexia can cause severe malnutrition and cause a high proportion of hair follicles to stop their growth cycle. After several months, these hairs shed and the body is not equipped nutritionally to grow back new ones. Normal hair growth returns with adequate nutrition intake.
Hair-loss can be divided into two categories: Hair-loss with skin shedding (also called “scaling”) and hair-loss without skin shedding. Hair-loss with skin shedding is likely related to a skin disorder. In some cases, supplementation with the vitamin biotin (1 – 2 mg for 2 months) has helped. Essential fatty acids (omega 3s and/or omega 6s) might also help in hair-loss caused by skin conditions. There is a lack of objective data about hair-loss without skin shedding. At one time, there was a widespread belief that zinc deficiency is a common cause. However, zinc supplementation has not been shown to improve hair-loss, even when a deficiency is suspected. One area that seems clear is that iron deficiency is linked to hair loss in women. In one study, 72% of women with low iron had reduced hair density.
Most cases of balding or permanent hair loss results from genetic disposition or heredity influences. If you consume a healthy diet, nutrient deficiencies should not be a problem. A healthy diet includes eating most of your calories from the following:
- grain products
- vegetables
- fruits
- reduced-fat dairy products
- lean meat
- fish
- poultry
- unsaturated fats
Experts agree that following the Food Guide Pyramid, which is a general eating guide that includes all of the daily food groups, offers a reliable and easy-to-follow plan to guide you through developing a healthy diet. A healthy diet ensures the intake of essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to your health and a healthy head of hair. Regular exercise and stress management, limiting alcohol intake, and avoiding tobacco are also essential to good health and are important for the prevention and treatment of temporary hair loss.
