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Can Diet Affect Hair Loss?

Tuesday, March 19th

Can Diet Affect Hair Loss?

The old saying "you are what you eat" is based in fact. Just as loading up on high-calorie, fat-laden foods can cause a person to become obese; eating the wrong kinds of foods also can have a negative effect on the health of a person's hair.

Healthy hair depends more on what a person puts into their body, rather than what they are slathering on their scalp or hair strands. The cells and bodily processes which support healthy skin, hair and nails require a sufficient diet in order to work properly.

So what kinds of food are good for hair growth and health?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: This healthy fat source can do wonders for your hair by preventing it from becoming dry and brittle. Dry and brittle hair is more susceptible to falling out. While omega 3's can be purchased in the form of over-the-counter supplements, they also can be found in a variety of foods, such as salmon, herring, sardines, avocado and walnuts.

Biotin and Zinc: These two vitamins are a powerhouse source of health for hair. Biotin, which is a B vitamin, can help to strengthen one's hair. Zinc is important because it nourishes the hair. Food sources where it is plentiful include oysters, peanut butter, turkey and lean cuts of red meat.

Protein: Protein is the building block for all healthy hair. Protein sources are responsible for providing the amino acids which help to strengthen hair. Despite the claims being made by some hair-care products, protein sources that are applied to the surface of the hair through shampoos, conditioners and other hair products do not provide the same benefit as protein sources which are eaten. Good sources of lean protein include dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), chicken, eggs, and lean beef and soy products to name a few.

Vitamin C and Iron: Often called the miracle vitamin, C can be found in citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables and other foods such as potatoes. Vitamin C aids in the body's absorption of Iron, which is another vital mineral for maintaining hair health.

Just as there are foods that can help keep hair healthy, there also are foods that can cause negative effects on hair health. Two of the foods which can directly contribute to hair loss include low-calorie liquid "diets" and raw egg whites. Low-calorie liquid diets can deplete energy stores, which directly affects the health of your hair. Raw egg whites are dangerous for two reasons. First, they contain harmful bacteria. Second, they contain a substance which binds biotin. We've already discussed the importance of biotin to healthy hair growth, so eating something that can affect biotin's health benefits is not in your best interest.

While diet is an important component in healthy hair, there are a few kinds of hair loss which even the healthiest of diets cannot help prevent. Androgenetic Alopecia, more commonly known as "male pattern baldness", cannot be prevented or reversed with diet alone. Because this kind of hair loss is genetic, diet will not correct it.

If your hair is thinning due to the natural aging process, all the biotin and Vitamin C in the world won't change it. Hair follicles spend more time in the "resting" phase as we age, and therefore do not naturally produce as much hair as they did in our younger years.

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Hair Loss Product FAQ

Hair loss products are shampoos, serums, creams, foams, or supplements used to stimulate the regrowth of hair. They come with different instructions for application, but they all work to fill in areas of patchiness or total loss of hair. Hair loss products are a much less expensive alternative to surgeries or other medical procedures to try and reverse hair loss.
Most hair loss products range anywhere from $25 - $70 per tube or bottle. You'll have the option to buy a supply that will last you a few months. Buying in larger quantities usually comes with discounts and makes it so you don't run out or need to make frequent online orders.
Yes! Hair loss products are safe. If you're buying from a reputable company, they will list all of the ingredients in their products. You can review the list to make sure you aren't allergic or trying to avoid anything in their formula. Many hair loss products are full of vitamins and other nourishing ingredients that are good for your skin and hair follicles.
Hair loss products work to do a few different things to stimulate growth. Some are effective in cleaning out clogged hair follicles that may have been stunted due to excess oils or thick hair products. Other formulas work to block the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone), primarily responsible for male pattern baldness. Some hair loss products stimulate blood flow in the areas where your head needs help regrowing hair. Products differ in how they target hair loss and it is best to select one based on the type of baldness you're experiencing.
There are many causes of hair loss. Some are the result of genetics, while others are hormonal imbalances, hygiene issues, or lifestyle choices. If you have healthy hair follicles intact where no hair is growing or hair is thinning, you will be able to stimulate new hair growth with the right products. Determining your type of hair loss will help you know how to select a product that will be effective for you.
As nice as it would be if hair loss products worked overnight, this is not the case. Most supplements, gels, creams, and serums take 4-6 months before you get visible results. Hair grows slowly whether or not you are using products to help the process, so it takes a while for your body to regenerate new growth.
Absolutely! Hair loss products are not only intended to regrow hair that has been lost, but also to prevent future hair loss as well. By nourishing and stimulating hair follicles, you are less likely to have stunted hair growth in the future. You aren't 100% guaranteed never to lose any hair again, but hair loss products work to at least slow down the process.
Both men and women can suffer from hair loss. Most people would do just about anything to get a full, thick head of hair back. Luckily, hair loss products are formulated to help men and women alike. Some products are marketed toward just men or just women, while others will benefit anyone suffering from hair loss. There are options out there for everyone!
Yes. Liquids can be absorbed by the body in just a couple of minutes, and have a high absorbency. Tablets can take up to a half-hour to be broken down; because the body has to break them down, only about 53% of the tablet may be absorbed by the body. Consider travel: pills may be the easiest to take with you and have a longer shelf life. Gummies are a fun way to take a supplement, but watch the sugar content.
Many users will see baby hairs grow in about a month or six weeks. It takes a while for the vitamins or other ingredients to settle into the body and stimulate the follicle and for the baby hairs to start appearing.
Most of the products have a money-back guarantee, and the difference is from 30 days to a year. Since it can be more than three months until you notice new growth, you'll want your guarantee to last at least that long, especially if you've spent quite a bit of money on your product or set of products. Prescription products do not come with any guarantee.
Some can. Reviewers of some of the products have raved about helping them with male pattern baldness and alopecia as well. It may also depend on when you start using the product. If the hair thinning is relatively new, the follicle may be more receptive to rejuvenation. If the thinning has occurred for quite a while, it's possible to see results, but after a longer period of use.
For acne prone individuals, excess biotin can trigger breakouts. Another reason to check with your doctor. Some of the supplements contain ingredients that can interfere with thyroid test results. Some may not be recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
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