Can Food Cause Hair Loss?

If you are losing your hair, your diet may be playing a part. There are many foods that have been shown to trigger hair loss. Reducing or eliminating these foods may help slow hair loss and promote new growth.

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are good for you because they have a nutrient called selenium. However, if you consume too many Brazil nuts, then you may develop a condition called Selenosis. Selenosis causes your hair and nails to become brittle and weak. It can even cause your hair to begin to thin. Even more seriously, it can cause peripheral neuropathy – a painful form of nerve damage.

Simple Carbohydrates

Simple, or refined, carbohydrates have a high glycemic index. Foods that have a high glycemic index can trigger hair loss. Breads, rice, and sweets are common examples of foods that are high in simple carbohydrates.

There are several ways that refined carbohydrates can cause hair loss. Foods with a lot of sugar make it harder for your body to handle stress. Chronic stress can lead to hair loss. When you eat foods that are high in sugar, your body produces excess insulin to stabilize your blood sugar. This spike in insulin may contribute to hair loss.

Alcohol

If you drink in moderation, you are not likely to suffer hair loss, as a result. However, if you consume more than two drinks per day, then your hair health may begin to suffer. Excess alcohol intake can raise estrogen levels. Robust estrogen levels can promote healthy hair. But, when estrogen levels are so high they begin to dominate the other hormones, hair loss can occur.

Fried Foods

Fried foods can increase testosterone levels. The elevated testosterone can increase DHT, which is a steroid hormone that has been shown to cause hair loss in both men and women. In addition to elevating testosterone, the hydrogenated oils often used to fry foods can also suppress hair growth.

If you are experiencing hair loss, your diet is the first place you should look. The hair loss could be a sign of something deeper that can be addressed, and possibly reversed. If you have already checked diet off your list, you may just be experiencing one of the unfortunate signs of aging. We have had dramatic success with our shave-less hair transplantation technique. Call now to book your free consultation. See what we can do for you!