Most individuals do not realize that their nutrition can actually be their hair loss culprit. If you are experiencing more than usual hair loss, start by analyzing and changing your diet. Many vitamins and minerals that are obtained through vitamins or food are essential to healthy hair growth.
Nutrient Deficiencies That Cause Hair Loss:
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is responsible for not only stimulating old and new hair follicles, it also stimulates cell growth, boosts immunity and is key for better skin and stronger bones. Vitamin D can be found in some foods but is usually best obtained through a vitamin.
Zinc
A zinc deficiency leads to brittle hair and can cause telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss). If you are a vegetarian, pregnant, or suffer from a digestive disease, you are more prone to be zinc deficient. Foods that are high in zinc are meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grain and dairy.
Antioxidants
When an individual is lacking antioxidants from their diet, it can cause stress-linked damage which contributes to hair loss. Vitamins that contain antioxidants include vitamin A and E, zinc, selenium and vitamin C. Plants, fruits, and vegetables are antioxidant rich and can easily be added to your diet.
Niacin
Niacin also known as vitamin B3 can be found in food like eggs, mushrooms, tuna and beef. Niacin helps get blood flow to the scalp which fights not only alopecia but other illnesses as well.
Omega-3 and Omega-6
Fatty acids are essential in the aid against hair loss. When deficient in fatty acids, hair loss affects both the scalp and eyebrows. Include fish such as salmon, flaxseed and walnuts to your diet as well as adding omega supplements.
Iron
Iron is actually a very common deficiency to have and can severely affect hair loss. Iron is what helps carry oxygen through the blood steam. If there isn’t enough iron, blood cells are not able to deliver enough oxygen through the body, resulting in hair loss.
Biotin
Biotin or vitamin B7 vitamins are extremely popular and are great for hair, skin, and nails. Biotin has been shown to have a positive effect on hair growth by enhancing the keratin structure of the hair.
In many cases, hair loss is genetic but before considering hair restoration, look into getting a full blood panel test from your primary care provider to ensure you are not nutrient deficient. Most of the foods that are nutrient rich come from animals. If you are someone who is vegan or vegetarian, it is especially important that the correct supplements are being taken to ensure that you are not nutrient deficient.
At Utah Facial Plastics, we are able to offer patients surgical and non-surgical options as well as oral and topical medications that can aid with your hair restoration and offer assistance that diet and supplements cannot achieve. One of our nutraceutical over-the-counter supplements is Nutrafol. Nutrafol is a vitamin that contains many of the vitamins and minerals listed above that are essential for stronger, healthier hair. It is also known to address stress in the body which can be added culprit to hair loss.