What You Should Know About Hair Loss and Your Diet

People lose hair for a wide variety of reasons including age, alopecia, stress, and health conditions. When it comes to hair growth and improving the overall health of your scalp and hair follicles, diet is key. After all, hair is made up of protein and different nutrients that come from the food you eat and the supplement to take. No matter why you experience thinning or slow growth, a hair loss diet can help you maximize the chance of growing and keeping a full head of hair longer.

Get Enough Calories and Protein 

If you are noticing more hair in your brush or in the shower drain, you are not alone. Up to 50% of men experience some degree of hair loss by the time they reach 50 years old. For women, the number is about 25% to 30%. While genetics play a role in balding, there are steps you can take to help keep your locks healthy and strong.

One key factor in upgrading your hair loss diet is getting enough calories and protein. Hair growth cycles are relatively fast paced. This means your hair follicles and strands themselves need enough fuel and protein to create the new cells on a continuous basis. Lack of protein means less hair growth. 

Also, if you eat and unhealthily low number of calories, your body simply will not have the nutrients necessary to create or hold onto hair. Extreme weight loss caused by poor diet, insufficient calories, illness, bariatric surgery, or some medical treatments can also contribute to this problem. Unfortunately, some of these things are unavoidable. However, it is important to adopt a healthy hair loss diet even when other challenges exist.

Important Nutrients for Your Hair Loss Diet

When it comes to hair growth, there are a few key nutrients that are essential for hair health. These include vitamins B12, B6, and biotin; minerals such as zinc and iron; and omega-3 fatty acids. While many people think of hair loss as a problem that only affects men, women can also experience hair loss due to a variety of factors including poor nutrition.

However, you must also understand that having too many of certain vitamins can make your hair fall out more quickly. These include vitamin A, vitamin D, and selenium. Almost people do not get excessively high levels of these, make sure you follow recommended dosages for supplements and multivitamins.

A healthy diet is important for maintaining healthy hair. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a good way to ensure you are getting the nutrients your body needs for healthy hair growth. Some specific foods that are beneficial for hair health include eggs, nuts, salmon, avocados, and leafy green vegetables. If you do decide to take vitamins or other supplements, research them well and talk with your physician to make sure they are the best choices for you.

Maximize your nutrition to help prevent hair loss. If you want to improve your diet with this goal in mind, check out HelpMaster’s unique recipe to add extra power to your hair loss diet.