Is Hair Loss A Price To Pay When Dieting?

Dieting is a process by which we deny our bodies of certain nutrients that can be essential to promote growth of one form or another.

Do we ever consider that perhaps it is not only our weight that can be affected?

Even a very limited diet can reduce the amount of protein necessary to maintain good health and a disruption to the normal processes can mean that priority has to be given to those functions as are necessary to maintain life. Less important functions within the body are sometimes given a lower priority and in turn become deprived of nutrients that are too few to be shared around as would be the norm.

Could it be that hair growth suffers in this respect because of lack of protein and therefore it is forced into a resting stage with the thinning or loss of hair following soon after?

Low fat, high protein or even vegetarian diets can all lead to deficiencies of one form or another. The intake of more common of nutrients that can be reduced because of dieting are, iron and magnesium, some essential fatty acids in the omega groups of fats and certain vitamins such as A and B.

Vitamin A

An Adequate intake of vitamin A is vital in promoting the growth and health of cells and tissues throughout the body and this includes both hair and scalp. Long-standing vitamin A deficiencies can lead to hair loss and dandruff caused by cellular debris collecting in the hair follicles.

The body can obtain vitamin A in two ways; one is via plant sources in the form of cartenoids such as beta carotene that convert to vitamin A in the body. Look for red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables as well as dark green leafy vegetables.

The body also gets vitamin A from animal sources in the form of retinol. Good animal sources include:

• liver

• fish oil

• eggs

• fortified milk

Vitamins B

All three of the B vitamins are essential to the normal formation of red blood cells

The primary function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body and that includes the hair. A constant supply of blood and oxygen is essential to strong and healthy hair.

Should there be any B vitamin deficiency reduced blood and oxygen supply to the hair, increases hair shedding, damaged hair, and a slowdown in re-growth.

The best sources of vitamin B6 are protein-rich foods such as:

• chicken

• fish

• pork

• liver

• kidney

• soybeans

Whole grains, cereals, nuts, and legumes also contain reasonable amounts.

As with everything in life there is no harm if dieting is in moderation. Try a diet plan to reduce your calorie intake and you will have a greater chance of keeping your weight down on a more permanent basis.

Hair loss because of unbalanced dieting is reversible and can be prevented once you get back to a more balanced diet with the right amount of nutrients. It will not be a quick fix and could take up to 6 months after the diet ends to reverse the trend and then perhaps even another year to restore your hair to its original thickness.

Brian Potter is researching hair loss and hair loss products containing natural ingredients. For advice and recommendations visit his website www.hairlossassistant.com

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