A lot of people assume the worst when they are losing their hair; they think they must be suffering from an irreversible condition. Nutrition is essential for your hair’s health and growth. If you’re beginning to notice your hair thinning or discovering hairless patches, you may want to take a look at what you’re eating and drinking. In reality, sometimes nutritional deficiencies caused by changes in lifestyle (like dieting, exercising, or not doing enough of either) are the real cause of hair loss. Because hair is not necessary for sustaining life like organs and tissue, it can easily be overlooked when the body prioritizes nutrients. Because of this imbalance in nutrients, your hair can begin falling out if you aren’t eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals. This is especially important for older adults who are more susceptible to hair loss. Some of the best types of food for your hair include:
Eggs – They contain protein and biotin, two essential nutrients for hair growth.
Fatty Fish – From salmon to mackerel, these types of fish are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids and can boost hair growth.
Spinach – Thanks to a long list of nutrients like iron and Vitamins A and C, spinach helps the skin produce sebum that conditions the scalp and keeps it healthy.
Nuts and Seeds – Nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts contain Vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc, and essential fatty acids, all of which promote hair growth. Also, seeds like sunflower, flax, chia, and pumpkin are excellent sources of iron and vitamins.
Nutrition-related hair loss can be the result of either deficiency or an excess of nutrients. For many people, they may not even realize they aren’t getting enough nutrients to sustain a healthy head of hair. Diets rich in mainly fruits and vegetables with minimal protein can be a cause of hair loss, as well as diets that are heavy in protein and fat with minimal carbohydrates. To appear healthy and sustain growth, hair cells need a balanced diet full of protein, complex carbohydrates, iron, and vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables.
Here are some of the common causes and types of nutritional deficiencies that often result in hair thinning and the loss of hair:
- Lack of protein: Hair is made up of a series of proteins, especially one called keratin. It makes sense, then, that a lack of protein could result in significant hair loss. If you’ve recently cut protein from your diet (for weight loss or otherwise), you may try eating more eggs, nuts, poultry, seafood, or meat to avoid hair loss or hair thinning.
- Low iron levels: Another common nutrient deficiency that causes hair loss is having below average iron levels. Iron helps carry oxygen through your bloodstream – the less blood flowing through your head, the longer time it will take to grow your hair and the more shedding will likely result. If you find yourself weak, overly tired, or abnormally pale, you may have an iron deficiency that could result in hair loss.
- Too small calorie/nutrient intake: It’s great that you want to take charge of your fitness, but if you diet irresponsibly, you might lose your hair and other vital vitamins and nutrients. If you consume too few calories or drastically drop your calorie intake, your body may go into “starvation mode,” where the body puts all of its focus and energy into maintaining life-sustaining organs. This means that without enough calories, your body may stop supporting hair growth in favor of protecting your kidney or heart. Always be sure to consult a dietician before dieting in order to avoid adverse side effects like hair loss.
If you are experiencing any of the above conditions, it’s important to contact a doctor to discuss medical treatment. Remember that your diet affects every part of your body and livelihood. When your body lacks the nutrients it needs, your hair can be the first to experience the adverse side effects.
Some of these conditions can be moderated, but if you are permanently suffering from any of the above conditions, you may need a more long-term solution. Hairline Ink provides the only, completely permanent hair loss fix. You are only one or two treatments away from never having to worry about hair loss concerns again. We offer Scalp Micropigmentation in over 50 US cities. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or get a free quote!
