It’s natural to think that aging is the sole culprit behind hair loss, but there are actually a variety of factors that can contribute to this frustrating problem. Seasonal changes, hormones, nutrition, cardiovascular health, immunity, and inflammation all play a role in the health of your hair. But don’t worry! There are several natural ways to protect against hair loss and promote overall health, including improving your nutrition, balancing hormones, and increasing circulation. Let’s dive in!
Nutrient-Rich Diet for Healthy Hair
Losing hair can sometimes be attributed to a nutrient deficiency, which is no surprise considering how reliant your body is on vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. A healthy diet should include lean proteins, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, sprouted whole grains and legumes, plenty of vegetables, and some fruits, particularly berries.
Your hair is made of protein, so consuming high-quality protein, like wild cold-water fish, organic eggs, concentrated (non-denatured) whey, sprouted legumes, spirulina, and other superfood sources can help improve hair health. Additionally, increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial for your skin and scalp. Hair loss can sometimes be caused by an iron deficiency, so consuming iron-rich foods like green leafy vegetables and blackstrap molasses can help. Zinc is also essential for hair health, and can be found in foods like cashews, oysters, spinach, beans, mushrooms, and flaxseeds.
Balance Your Hormones
An underactive thyroid can cause hair loss because it controls the hormones that influence metabolism and cellular energy. Sea vegetables, including kelp, nori, and dulse, are loaded with iodine, which can help re-energize the thyroid. In men and postmenopausal women, an overproduction of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can lead to baldness. Certain herbs, like saw palmetto, can help address excess DHT and potentially help with hair loss. Consult with your doctor to check for any hormonal imbalances that may benefit from natural herbs and supplements.
Address Allergies and Sensitivities
Food allergies, sensitivities, and other allergic reactions can sometimes cause hair loss due to endocrine-immune imbalances. To identify any potential food sensitivities, consider an elimination diet or consult with an allergy specialist. Common food allergies can be triggered by gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs, and shellfish. Regularly detoxing can help reduce inflammation and balance immunity to alleviate any long-term issues related to allergies.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress is another factor that can cause hair loss. Inflammation caused by stress can damage hair follicles, disrupt hormone balance, impair circulation, and deprive cells of essential oxygen and nutrients. To combat stress, try incorporating activities like walking in nature, meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi into your daily routine.
Gender-Specific Multivitamins
There are gender-specific vitamin supplements that can help promote healthy hormone balance and provide excellent nutritional support. These supplements, such as Women’s Longevity Rhythms and Men’s Longevity Essentials Plus, include essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, herbs like saw palmetto, biotin, and other B vitamins, all known for their benefits for scalp health.
Herbal Supplements
Various herbal supplements have been shown to increase hair growth and offer other health benefits. A few you might consider incorporating into your regimen include:
- Eclipta Alba, also known as false daisy, which has been used to support liver and eye health and has shown to encourage hair growth.
- Cuscuta reflexa, used as a muscle relaxant, antioxidant, and antiviral, and found to promote hair growth.
- Tectona grandis seeds, traditionally used by Indian practitioners to increase hair growth and found to have results similar to the prescription drug minoxidil.
- Carthamus tinctorius L. and Phyllanthus emblica L. (Indian gooseberry), which have potent activity against the enzyme responsible for increasing the conversion of testosterone into DHT and have been used traditionally to promote hair growth when applied topically.
In addition to these herbs, there are other natural options that can benefit hair health, such as silica, royal jelly, and moringa leaf.
Holistic Approach to Hair Health
There’s no reason to accept hair loss as an inevitable part of aging. Instead, focus on finding the underlying causes rather than just treating the symptoms. By adopting this holistic and preventative approach to your hair health, you can enjoy the benefits of a full head of hair for years to come.
