Vegetarians refrain from eating the flesh of animals, and vegans go a step further by also omitting foods that are derived from animals – such as dairy and eggs. There are many reasons people choose to commit to these lifestyles, and it can be a healthier choice for many.
If not handled correctly, vegetarian and vegan lifestyles can also lead to malnutrition the same as any diet that lacks what our bodies need. To be clear, the human body can live without animal products… but switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet requires some planning so vital nutrients a person used to gain from certain foods are included in other ways. For example, a person who used to get iron primarily by eating meat will need to make sure they include plant-based iron-rich foods in their diet.
Can a Vegetarian Diet Cause Hair Loss?
A vegetarian diet generally consists of vegetables, grains, fruit, nuts, legumes, and seeds. Different types of vegetarians also eat honey, dairy, and eggs as well – depending on their choice of diet.
When you commit to a vegetarian diet, you are cutting off whole foods groups that provide your body with specific nutrients it needs to function. When this happens, your body essentially redistributes resources from one area – in this case, the processes required for hair growth – to help others. The key is to maintain a balanced and diverse diet.
Can a Vegan Diet Cause Hair Loss?
A vegan diet is a kind of vegetarian diet, but with much stricter dietary limitations. Vegans go further, omitting not only animal meat but also food derived from animals – like dairy, honey, and eggs.
One of the main issues for people experiencing hair loss with a vegan diet is insufficient consumption of food providing the nutrients their bodies need for healthy hair. If there is a severe deficiency it can lead to telogen effluvium, where your body excessively sheds hair because of the amount of stress it is under. The hair generally grows back once the body’s stressors have been removed or corrected.
Are There Health Downsides to a Vegetarian/Vegan Diet?
Both vegetarian and vegan diets tend to be low in saturated fat and cholesterol. These diets tend to include eating a lot of nutrient-dense food like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and soy products. They also tend to have high amounts of minerals, fiber, and vitamins.
If not planned and accounted for, these diets can lead to a mineral deficiency of calcium, iron, vitamins D, and B12. Even though these diets avoid things like meat and dairy, they can still be high in added sugars, be highly processed, or made in ways that add extraneous fats.
Can Hair Loss Be Reversed with Diet?
It’s possible that some hair loss can be reversed with a properly planned diet.
Some vegan foods for hair loss include leafy greens like spinach and kale for iron, flax seeds and walnuts for omega 3 fatty acids, and nutritional yeast or vitamin supplements for B12. Be sure to consult a physician before beginning any new regimen of supplements.
Vegetarian foods for hair loss can include egg yolks, cheese, or mushrooms to replenish vitamin D, whole grains and legumes for protein, and seeds and dairy products for zinc.
RHRLI Can Give You Lifestyle Advice For Good Hair Health
Poor diet can result in telogen effluvium and certain types of alopecia that can result in permanent hair loss if it goes untreated. At RHRLI, we have decades of experience and a proven track record of helping restore our clients’ hair through the use of nonsurgical therapy as well as with the ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System. We also provide lifestyle advice to help keep your hair healthy long after the procedure. Contact us today for a free consultation.