It is not a secret that women and men diet for specific reasons – to lose weight obviously, but ultimately to feel better about themselves and boost their health at the same time. Why else would we put ourselves through the effort and pain if there was no gain at the end?
It might not be so well known that dieting and the subsequent weight loss can actually have detrimental effects to other parts of your health – which is the complete opposite of what we would expect. This should not be an excuse for us not to lose extra weight, but we should be aware of the possible consequences. So does weight loss cause hair loss?
It is important to point out first, that many underlying health conditions can affect the health of your hair, so it is always worthwhile to consult your physician to determine if there is another reason that you are experiencing hair loss or thinning, rather than any diets or weight loss programs you are following. Once you can rule out any pre-existing conditions, you can focus on your overall diet to determine if that is a cause of your hair problems.
A well-balanced, healthy weight loss program should not cause you to lose any hair over and above what is normal. About 90% of our hair is living and growing and about ten percent of is ‘resting’ before being naturally shed on an ongoing basis – new hair then grows to replace this lost hair. If not, which often happens as we age, the result is thinning.
If you are experiencing hair loss, then one possibility is that you are suffering from a dietary deficiency of some kind. B complex vitamins are important in maintaining healthy hair. There are 8 B vitamins, most of which you should get enough of in a healthy diet.
First check that you are eating the right foods in sufficient quantities. B complex supplements can help arrest the problem. Vegetarians and vegans should consider vitamin B12 supplementation as it is difficult to obtain B12 in adequate levels while consuming no dairy or meat products. Other vitamins and elements that can help with hair loss are vitamins A, C and E and Zinc.
Weight loss can create hormonal changes too. For example, puberty is delayed in young women who are underweight, because levels of body fat are linked to hormone production and fertility. Hormone imbalances can be induced by a poorly designed weight loss diet, with hair loss the unfortunate result.
A healthy diet is also vital for a healthy skin. Skin problems can result from vitamin deficiencies and unhealthy skin on the scalp can lead to hair loss. Bald spots could be a result of a diet-induced skin problem, or a hereditary condition called alopecia areata.
Stress can also be a cause of hair loss, and dieting for weight loss can be both emotionally and physically stressful! This is especially true if you lose too much weight too fast. If your weight loss regime leaves you lacking in energy and you neglect physical exercise this will not help with hair loss. Good circulation helps invigorate the blood supply to the scalp and hair follicles which helps maintain hair growth.
Dieting properly will leave you slimmer and more energetic, boosting your all-round health and appearance. Sometimes a deficiency in just one vitamin or mineral can lead to impaired health and hair loss, so be sure to diet sensibly for maximum well-being and hair health.
