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Hair loss can stem from a number of natural causes, but one of the most prevalent is the foods you eat. Just as healthy foods can boost your overall wellness, even as far as the clarity of your complexion, so too can unhealthy foods wreak havoc on your body, leading to breakouts, dry patches and yes, even hair loss. Although genetics is the most common cause for hair fallout and some people are predisposed to the issue more than others, your diet can also have a major impact on the strength of your strands as well.
If you’ve been suffering from thinning patches and increased fallout but aren’t clear on the cause, Dr. Craig Ziering, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ziering Medical, warns that there are several foods you should reduce within your diet in order to slow the issue.
Sugar
One of the most well-documented causes of weight gain, consuming too much sugar in your diet can also lead to hair fallout and increased breakage. “Sugar produces insulin and androgen, the male hormone known to shrink hair follicles and cause hair loss. Foods heavy in carbohydrates, such as potatoes, bread, pasta, and white rice, contain a high glycemic index, which can break down sugars quickly and cause inflammation,” notes Ziering. While it’s always a good idea to keep your sugar intake to a minimum, staying aware of the volume of foods which contain sugar is also vital.
Fried Foods
Heavily processed or fried foods are another variation which can have a negative impact on both your health and your hair. “High-fat, fried foods often contain hydrogenated oils that may contribute to hair loss,” says Ziering. “Testosterone levels are increased with diets that are high in fat, which could lead to male pattern baldness.” If possible, it’s best to entirely cut fried foods from your diet in favor of less processed ingredients and less oil. Oils can have a valuable place in your diet, but not in the excess that frying requires.
Simple Carbohydrates
Although carbs are not unhealthy to include in your eating plan, simple and heavily processed carbs may be weakening your strands at the roots and leading to hair loss. “Refined carbohydrates that are present in cakes, biscuits, ice cream, bread and white flour are high in sugar and may lead to indirect hair loss,” notes Ziering. “Carbohydrates inhibit the body to handle stress and stress is a major contributing factor to hair loss. So if your stress levels go unchecked, that may lead to an increase in hair fall.”
What to have instead
Instead of these unhealthy foods, replacing them with ingredients that are rich in protein, vitamin C, E, and B are all going to be great for limiting hair loss while allowing your strands to grow back stronger and healthier than before. “Deficiency in vitamin B, protein, and iron can trigger hair loss while foods high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals can promote healthier hair,” explains Ziering.
Seeing as your hair is made of protein, increasing protein intake will naturally strengthen your locks, and foods which contain ample vitamin B and E are great for limiting hair loss from happening. Not only this, but vitamin B6 may even help with the reduction of gray hairs for younger, healthier locks at any age.
