Androgenetic alopecia is what is more commonly known as male pattern baldness. Ninety five percent of balding males have been diagnosed with this condition, which is attributed to increased levels of testosterone.
Hair loss prevention for men has since focused on treatments meant to reduce the DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) levels in men. In the studies conducted on DHT in the prevention of hair loss, several herbal solutions have been discovered.
New products in the market list various herbs like rosemary, horsetail, nettles and saw palmettos as added ingredients, all listed as products preventing hair loss in men. It has also been found that the prevalence of baldness maybe higher in some regions, showing that diet and the availability or lack of certain foods can be causing excessive hair loss. Vitamins and minerals are essential to overall health and well-being, and the deficiencies also show in the nails and hair of an individual.
In men, a low-fat diet is highly recommended for preventing male baldness as testosterone levels has been related to baldness and a meat-based high-fat diet raises the levels of testosterone. Along with a protein-rich diet, vitamin B rich diets are important for a lustrous, healthy growth of hair. Soy protein is known to reinforce hair and stimulate hair growth.
There are other causes of baldness which may be medically related. Smoking for example, has been found to cause capillaries to contract preventing blood to reach the hair follicles, thereby inhibiting healthy hair growth.
A diet rich in Vitamin A and iodine will help correct Thyroid Dysfunction which is also known to cause hair loss. Intestinal Disorders are also found to trigger hair loss and treating biotin deficiencies are sometimes the solution to this problem.
There are also essential fatty acids (EFA’s) that are the key components of healthy hair, nails and skin. Eczema and seborrhoea are skin diseases that are partly caused by EFA deficiencies. EFA supplements are found in local health food stores, pharmacies and even supermarkets.
Evening Primrose Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Cod Liver Oil and oils from deep-water fish are good sources of essential fatty acids. High levels of saturated fat will block the effectiveness of EFAs however, so a change in the overall diet is recommended if there is too much saturated fat in it.
Eating a well-balanced diet with lots of legumes, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables containing fibre is recommended to keep you healthy, prevent thinning hair and premature greying. The fiber in your diet will be vital to move undigested food to the bowels to prevent the fermentation of undigested food and the blocking of essential nutrients from reaching the system. The blocking problem will result in malnutrition and a level of toxicity that will overwork the adrenal glands, contributing to high amount of shedded hair.
The most important factor in your diet is water which is vital for all the nutrients to be properly utilized and absorbed by the body. Proper hydration is essential to the proper function of every living cell in the human body, which includes the hair follicles.
