Hair Loss and Nutritional Deficiency
Nutritional deficiencies may be the cause of some cases of hair loss so if your hair is thinning or you’re losing it, you may be lacking in essential vitamins.
Are you anemic?
If you are not yet middle-aged and are struggling with hair loss, it may be due to anemia. Other signs of anemia are:
• Tiredness
• Lack of energy
• Headaches
• Breathlessness
• Palpitations
• Pale skin
• Flaking skin around the nails
• Mouth ulcers
The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology wrote:
"Several studies have examined the relationship between iron deficiency and hair loss. Almost all have addressed women exclusively and have focused on noncicatricial hair loss. Some suggest that iron deficiency may be related to alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and diffuse hair loss, while others do not ... It is our practice at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation to screen male and female patients with both cicatricial and noncicatricial hair loss for iron deficiency. Although this practice is not evidence based per se, we believe that treatment for hair loss is enhanced when iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is treated. Iron deficiency anemia should be treated."
So science has not really established whether there is a relationship between iron deficiency and hair loss, but some research suggests that there is. If you have hair loss and any of the other symptoms, see your doctor for a blood test to check for anemia. If you are anemic, a course of iron tablets may be enough to assist hair re-growth.
Food sources that contain iron include leafy green vegetables, beans, nuts, dried fruit, fortified breakfast cereals, oatmeal and meat. Make sure your weekly menu contains some of these types of foods in order to avoid anemia. Reducing your caffeine intake can also improve your iron levels as caffeine inhibits your body’s ability to absorb iron.
Zinc Deficiency
Additional research has shown that zinc deficiency may be a cause of hair loss and zinc has been employed as a treatment for hair loss even if the person has not been shown to be deficient.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment8 Comments
While a zinc definiency is a valid cause, mine was a low functioning thyroid. My hair in last year started to break off at the roots and was filling a hair brush on a daily basis.
September 22, 2011 - 10:56amMy adrenal glands were also totally burned out from exhaustation and a hormone imbalance. Since I started taking Synthryoid and fish oil and other vitamins, I feel better and my hair is coming back!
This Comment
How did you know you had low thyroid production, and without the medicine will you be able to restore your thyroid and adrenal health eventually?
September 22, 2011 - 8:23pmYES TERRIBLY• Tiredness
YES TERRIBLY• Lack of energy
YES TERRIBLY• Headaches
sometimes• Breathlessness
YES TERRIBLY• Palpitations
MAYBE• Pale skin
MAYBE• Flaking skin around the nails
NO• Mouth ulcers
YES hairloss
Along with missed periods, weight loss, loss of appetite
Even if I eat loads of leafy greens and quality meats/proteins regularly, could I still have an iron deficiency due to lack of absorption? Is there a test I can request from my doc or a range of results that could indicate a low level even if not out of range...
I liked how the article highlighted what to eat for the iron naturally, but maybe I missed the natural ways to obtain zinc?
September 22, 2011 - 8:30pmYes, that's a good idea, I should have put natural ways to get zinc. Will look it up and post on here tomorrow.
October 18, 2011 - 3:38pmGreat article on zinc deficiency....yes, however, there can be a variety of reason for hair loss. I was hospitalized recently for approx a week an a half which resulted in a hair loss for me due to heavy duty, but necessary, meds....I visited my stylist for a nice cut...removing "dead" hair, begin taking hair vitamins and additional supplement religiously and my hair is beginning to renew...
October 24, 2011 - 9:01pmTo your excellent health!
Ameenah
http:www.awesomehealthandwealth.com
"Natural Relief for Menopause Hot Flashes"
Hair care is just one of the functions of Vitamin E. Vitamin E has the ability to slow down graying of the hair.
November 23, 2011 - 6:18amVitamin E is also necessary in providing the scalp a good blood circulation by intensifying the uptake of oxygen and decrease balding hair http://balding-hair.weebly.com/
In this case, the hair will become healthier and baldness will be avoided.
A sudden physical or emotional stress may cause one-half to three-quarters of the hair throughout your scalp to shed (called Telogen effluvium). You will notice hair coming out in handfuls while you shampoo, comb, or run your hands through your hair. You may not notice this for weeks to months after the episode of stress. The hair shedding will decrease over 6 - 8 months.
December 20, 2011 - 8:24amSome women ages 30 - 60 may notice a thinning of the hair that affects the entire scalp. The hair loss may be heavier at first, and then gradually slow or stop. There is no known cause for this type of hair loss.
There are many hair loss home remedy that useful for treating your hair problem, with natural herbs which minimum side effects.
In addition to health conditions, hair loss is caused mostly by the age factor. Another reason for hair loss in men and women are: infections, stress, surgery, diets, high fever, tumors, and syphilis.
Many drugs that sold in the market and claims able to regrowth hair, but it have a dangerous side effects and the results are not optimal. For instance Rogaine (minoxidil) can cause acne around the forehead and can not be used for high blood pressure sufferer. However, home remedies for hair growth and hair regrowth home remedy is the best choice for your hair problem solutions.
That is super true, nutritional deficiency is another reason for hair loss. It is important to eat the right foods with right amount. Hair Loss
January 21, 2012 - 3:25am