I hope you have had time to review our offerings for October, and I hope you enjoy my attempt at some lighthearted animation for Halloween, and in the meditation room!
This week's topic is: Can nutrition and natural medicine reverse or prevent hair loss? (alopecia) , and the two are related, not only in terms of nutrition but also in Chinese Medical theory. According to a recent scientific study, males were more likely to be attracted to a partner with thick, long hair than any other attribute. The researchers hypothesized that hair quality was genetically programmed to signify fertility. Even biblically, beautiful hair is considered a woman's greatest glory. In Chinese Medical Theory, the quality of the hair reflects the health of the kidney, which is the root of good health...pun intended.
Common hair problems can be related to serious health or medical problems, hormonal imbalances as well as nutritional problems and should not be ignored, or self treated at home. Here we'll talk about those interventions.
Symptoms of nutritional deficiencies or imbalances are: premature graying/brittleness, slow or no growth, thinning, texture changes, spot balding, or overall balding, scalp problems including sebborrhea, and dandruff.
Foods that help with hair health and growth are the ones that help your overall health for sure! Some "super foods" for healthy hair are: acai or goji berries which are full of antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, and non-inflammatory fats. Allium vegetables such as garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives contain bioflavonoids which help the body excrete toxins and carcinogens...certainly important since the hair shows toxins more than any other body tissue.
Sprouted Barley, and barley grasses chorella, spirulina and sea vegetables which contain essential fatty acids, and also help the body excrete toxins. Recommendation: our excellent Green's First product which contains all the items recommended in this article. Other recommended foods are: beans and lentils excellent for proteins without adding inflammatory fats, hot peppers, which have beneficial effects on circulation & nutrition to hair capillaries, nuts and seeds, which contain beneficial fats, minerals and phyto chemicals. Sprouts of any source, contain enzymes which help you digest and assimilate foods into creation of living tissue. Lastly: probiotics such as yogurt with live cultures and kefir are necessary for a functional immune system, and youthful digestive tract.
Dietary changes will take at least four months to show up in your hair so keep it up!
Nutrient deficiencies and hair loss
Premature greying is usually due to mineral imbalances or shortages of calcium, magnesium or zinc. Iron or long term anemia can also rob pigment from the hair. A simple blood test can reveal deficiencies. An in office zinc test can reveal zinc deficiency which is not usually checked by non-nutritionists.
Spot balding or thinning can be due to deficiencies of several nutrients: magnesium, niacin, biotin, inositol, zinc and pantothenic acid, vitamin B-5. Interestingly these are typically low in those with tons of stress! Identification and resolution of the deficiency leads to hair restoration in most case.
Balding can also be due to a toxic reaction to something, or even poisoning! For instance, taking high dosages of Vitamin A for months will cause hair loss. Stopping megadoses will reverse the problem in most cases. If hair loss or changes are due to environmental poisons a hair test can reveal alot.
Balding can also be a sign of food allergies. Many celiac disease sufferers, those allergic to gluten, have very poor hair until their condition is diagnosed. Uncontrolled allergies can cause an auto immune response to the hair follicle and is far more common than most people suspect.
Scalp problems such as seborrhea may also be due to food allergy. Elimination of the offending substance often does wonders! Other times, hormone imbalances or fatty acid imbalances are to blame and when resolved the condition disappears!
Dandruff may be due to anemia or zinc deficiency. Biotin or B-5 may also manifest this way.
Hormonal imbalances such as low thyroid, menopause, andropause, high testosterone levels and insulin resistance can have deleterious effects on hair health. If caught and addressed early these can be reversed. I have used acupuncture & Chinese Herbs in very serious, chronic cases with excellent long-term results!
Slow growth may be due to protein deficiency, stress, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, other illness, or metabolic disorders.
Some supplements that can be helpful for reversing hair loss are: Biotin, panothenate, magnesium, vitamin b-6, iron, zinc, niacin, inositol, vitamin c which improves capillary circulation to the scalp, L-cysteine and L-methionine, two amino acids which may help with growth and texture by prolonging the hair cycle. Please be aware that these treatments need to be tailored to the person, a "hair supplement" is almost never effective in reversing these types of problems. Chinese herbs which nourish the kidney and blood also result in lush abundant hair especially when combined with acupuncture so there is no reason to despair about your hair! We have a wonderful array of natural products for alopecia and hair loss: Visit our HAIR REGROWTH aisle here! FREE Shipping on any size order and volume discounts for larger orders!
Best of Health!
Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great prices and FREE SHIPPING on hundreds of natural products from professional brands like: Metagenics, Douglas Laboratories, Pure Encapsulations, Integrative Therapeutics, Thorne Research, and Carlson Labs!
Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN
Naturopath
Acupuncturist
Clinical Nutritionist
Professional Vitamins and Supplements
Chinese Herbs
Natural Skin Products
Arlington Heights, IL
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