As we get older, it feels that we have less and less time to do the things we need to do in our day-to-day lives to stay healthy. Between all our obligations to family, work, and beyond… it can be easy to not get enough sleep, stay physically active, or follow a healthy diet. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to fall behind in all three – and all three play a role in our overall hair health.
Today we’re going to focus on diet. There are many diets out there that have gained popularity out here, like the Mediterranean Diet. Does this particular diet promote hair health?
What Diet Causes Hair Thinning?
A diet like the Mediterranean Diet is unlikely to cause hair thinning. That’s because the diet doesn’t so much cut out any particular foods, but rather promotes moderation and healthy preparation of foods.
Three key nutrients you need to promote hair health are iron, zinc and vitamin D. The Mediterranean Diet can easily include these nutrients. Iron remains one of the most common nutrients for people who may have a deficiency. Nuts, oats, beans, and dark leafy vegetables are all reliably high sources of iron. A diet lacking those key foods can contribute to hair thinning in addition to other ailments.
Additionally, any sort of crash diet can trigger hair loss. When you cut out large amounts of calories from your diet suddenly and continuously in an effort to lose weight quickly, it causes trauma to your body. That trauma acts as a stressor and can trigger telogen effluvium.
Which Foods Increase Hair Growth?
In addition to the foods high in iron listed above, there are a number of other foods that can promote hair growth and align with the Mediterranean Diet. Fish are high on that list. The omega-3 fatty acids are important for healthy hair in addition to the protein and vitamins that fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel provide.
Oysters are another seafood that helps promote hair health with high levels of zinc. Berries are another great food that not only provides vitamins but also antioxidants that help to fortify our hair follicles.
Can Alopecia Be Reversed By Diet?
While some forms of temporary hair loss like telogen effluvium are reversible by adjusting your diet… many forms of hair loss cannot be reversed through changes in diet alone. That said, adjusting your diet to be healthier is important and can be a vital part of a multi-pronged approach to keeping your hair healthy and strong.
RHRLI Can Help Restore Your Hair & Give You Lifestyle Advice To Keep It Strong
Poor diet can result in telogen effluvium – as well as various types of alopecia that if left untreated could result in permanent hair loss. We here at RHRLI have the experience and proven track record of helping restore our clients’ hair through the use of nonsurgical therapy and through the ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System – to perform a FUE hair transplant procedure that is minimally invasive and will get you back to your day-to-day life quickly.
Our team can also provide lifestyle advice including diet tips to help keep your hair healthy long after the procedure. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the best approach to restoring your hair.