Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

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Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team

Does erratic diet cause hair loss?

     Erratic diet and nutritional deficiency resulting from it is one of the major causes of telogen effluvium type of hair loss. Studies have also shown that a strong association between nutritional deficiency and chronic Telogen Effluvium hair loss exist.

    Telogen effluvium[TE] is one of the most common causes of diffuse hair loss, although it is temporary. Telogen effluvium was first described by Kligman in 1961.Numerous triggers have been implicated in this type of hair loss.

TE is a non-scarring, diffuse, hair loss from the scalp that occurs around 3 months after a triggering event and is usually self-limiting, lasting for about 6 month. In TE hair loss is usually less than 50% of the scalp hair.

   In telogen effluvium a temporary type of hair loss occurs as the long telogen hairs are replaced by the shorter new anagen hair. [The hair cycle involves various phases like anagen which is the hair growth phase and it is followed by the resting phase and then hair destruction phase].Hair loss resolves as the new anagen hair grow in 3-6 months if no repetitive injury to hair from triggering factors.

 Symptoms of TE hair loss

    The diffuse loss may produce thinning of hair all over the scalp, but frequently manifest with bitemporal recession or hair receding from both sides of forehead.

       Normally more than 50% of the scalp hair is not lost  in telogen effluvium

   ·   Scarring and inflammation are absent in this type of hair loss.

   ·   Clumps of hair can be extracted with ease from top of head as well as the margins of the scalp

Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE)

   CTE is a type of diffuse hair loss of scalp that persist for more than six months. It is characterized by sudden, excessive, diffuse shedding of hair that continues with a fluctuating course over several years.

This condition chiefly affects women of age group 40-50 years. In addition to nutrient deficiencies resulting from erratic diet it may happen from various other causes too.

                                     SIAHMSR                                        

Dietary changes or nutritional intervention for telogen effluvium hair loss

 To help you address the hair loss add some nutrient rich foods in your diet such as:

·  Omega fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids play an important role in cell structure, barrier function, lipid synthesis, inflammation and immunity. They help in reducing dryness of scalp skin.

Most popular sources  of omega fatty acids are walnuts, fish oil, flaxseed oil etc. These are vital nutrients that support the health of hair follicles. Whenever the follicle health is compromised, hair loss or thinning occurs.

Minerals      

It has been found that certain minerals including magnesium, sulfur, silica and zinc are also very important toward maintaining healthy hair.

·   iron

     Iron deficiency is one of the common causes of hair loss. Low iron stores with  decreased serum ferritin is common in patients with chronic Telogen effluvium.

In severe cases iron supplements are recommended with withdrawal at a specified interval. Prolonged iron intake is not good for the body. 

The natural sources of iron are green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collard etc.

Vitamin C intake is crucial in patients with hair loss associated with iron deficiency as it plays an essential role in the intestinal absorption of iron.

·  Selenium

 Selenium is an essential trace element that plays a role in protection from oxidative damage as well as hair follicle morphogenesis. Include more sea foods and nuts in your diet.

·  Zinc

  Zinc is very important for hair growth. Deficiency of zinc can occur with poor intake, in some diseases like cancers, liver or renal dysfunction, in pregnant women, and patients with alcoholism.

Some medications that can affect zinc levels include valproic acid and certain anti-hypertensive drugs. Drug related and diseases related deficiencies need to be rectified only after consulting your health care provider or doctor.

Dietary inclusion of zinc is recommended through intake of meat, legumes and whole grains.

·  Vitamin E

   Vitamin E  helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes of hair follicles.

Sources of vitamin E include nuts and seeds, wheat germ oil ,sunflower, safflower, and soy bean oil, sunflower seeds, almonds ,avocado, peanuts, peanut butter, beet greens, collard greens, spinach &pumpkin.

·  Beta-carotene

Beta carotene is also important to hair growth. Include carrots, beet roots and more dark green leaves in your diet.

· B vitamins  

    Vitamins B1, B2, Niacin & Pantothenic acid are essential for hair follicular health.

Reduced levels of thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin, and pantothenic acid can contribute to the undernourishment of hair-follicle cells. A dosage range of 25-50 mg daily is recommended.

 Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) gives hair flexibility, strength and shine and helps prevent hair loss and greying.

Sources of B vitamins include:

Fortified breakfast cereals, fish beans, lentils, green peas, enriched or fortified cereals, breads, brown rice, sun flower seeds ,yogurt.

 Vitamin B12 helps prevent the loss of hair and can be found in fish, eggs, chicken and milk.

  It is also important to include vitamin B6, biotin, inositol and folic acid 

     A decrease in folic acid may contribute to decreased hair-follicle cell division and growth.

Sources of folic acid include  beans ,peanuts, sunflower seeds, whole-grains, liver, seafood, eggs, fortified foods and supplements, Dungeness, crab, hard-boiled egg, beef liver

·    Biotin is important for hair growth  Biotin deficiency is rare, as intestinal bacteria are typically able to produce adequate levels of biotin. Deficiency is seen in cases of congenital or acquired biotinidase or carboxylase deficiency, antibiotic use disrupting the gastrointestinal flora, and antiepileptic use. 

Deficiency can occur from excessive ingestion of raw egg whites due to binding by avidin. People who are eating adequate amount of protein should not have a problem with biotin deficiency, though vegans may be at risk.

Good food sources of biotin are eggs, liver and soy, beef liver, salmon, avocados, pork, sweet potato &nuts, seeds.

Supplements do not help most of the cases although it is routinely consumed by people.

 Proteins are also important for hair growth. include more legumes, meat, milk , egg, soy etc. in the diet.

Homeopathy for hair loss

1.     Natrum muriaticum

It is prescribed for hair loss from infections, stress and autoimmune causes in indicated cases. 

2.     Lycopodium clavatum- A deep acting constitutional remedy ,hair loss from hormonal disturbances.

3.     Kali carbonicum- hair loss in females ,dandruff, hair loss in temple areas of scalp.

4.     Kali sulphuricum- hair fall from dandruff

5.     Phosphorus- it is a deep acting constitutional remedy  hair loss from dandruff.

6.     Arnica- hair growth promoter by improving circulation.

7.  .     Thuja – hair loss from dandruff.

[Disclaimer- Please take homeopathic medicines only under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic doctor in appropriate dosage. Over the counter medications may have adverse effects and we do not recommend it as homeopathy requires proper case taking, clinical examination, lab investigations , evaluation and analysis of each case in an individualized manner and selection of most appropriate remedy with proper strength & dosage for cure of any clinical condition]

Written by dr sanjana vb[copyright]

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For further reading  visit our own articles of this website 

1.    https://siahmsrwellness.in/homeopathy-for-hair-loss

2.    https://siahmsrwellness.in/telogen-effluvium-homeopathic-hair-loss-treatment

3.    https://siahmsrwellness.in/homeopathy-for-hair-loss