Foods That Can Cause Hair Thinning in Women
Hair loss is common and somewhat expected in aging men. It's referred to as male-pattern baldness and often is blamed mostly on genetics. When women suffer from hair loss not related to illness, or androgenetic alopecia, it can seem less expected and also less acceptable. Women with thinning hair generally want to know why this is happening and how they can stop it.
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Causes
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Like male-pattern baldness, female hair loss may be caused by genetics. Hair thinning in women is sometimes hormone-related and often occurs during pregnancy or menopause. Sometimes the cause can be traced to hair-care products such as certain dyes and shampoos. Some women report hair loss when they have suffered prolonged anxiety or are going through stressful times. And, according to the American Hair Loss Council, hair loss often can be traced to an inadequate diet and poor health in general.
Prevention/Solution
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Thankfully, many of these causes are temporary or can be eliminated. According to the Mayo Clinic, if the problem is pregnancy-related, it likely will correct itself after childbirth; if menopause-related, it may improve with time. And if hair loss is determined to be product-related, one can discontinue the use of those products. Likewise, if serious medical problems have been ruled out, improving one's diet may help provide a solution.
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Nutritional Deficiencies
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A healthy, well-balanced diet can prevent and treat many conditions, but many suffer from inadequate nutrition. Hair loss can be caused by deficiencies of protein, zinc or other nutrients. Also, stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on an appetite, and simply eating less may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Deficiencies may also be caused by dieting to lose weight, especially in the case of someone who is anorexic or bulimic. Nutritional supplements are often recommended, but the actual diet must be addressed as well.
Culprit Foods
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Fats and sugars are often the culprits in many unhealthy diets. While we need a small amount of healthy fats in our diets, the average person gets an overabundance. For optimal hair health, considering avoiding animal fats, cutting back on meat protein, high-fat dairy products and fried foods. Try cutting out sugars and simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice and processed pasta. In addition, anything that increases stress or deters from the ability to handle stress, such as excessive amounts of coffee and alcohol, should be avoided.
Food That May Help
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When consumption of animal protein is decreased, a diet rich in complex carbohydrates becomes essential. One way to substitute the amino acids found in animal protein is to eat whole grains, such as brown rice, in combination with legumes. Other protein sources include wheat germ, brewers yeast, beans and fish. Iron can be found in dried fruits, cherry juice, liver, whole-grain cereals, eggs, dates and raisins. Eating foods rich in vitamin C with iron-rich foods helps the body absorb the iron.
The diet should also provide plenty of green leafy vegetables, root vegetables and grains. Choose foods rich in vitamins B and E. Be sure to get enough calcium, which can be found in leafy green vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Consume plenty of omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in many nuts, berries and fish. Silica, which often added to shampoo to increase hair's shine, is a mineral that may benefit hair. It can be found in raw oats, potato peels, peppers, cucumbers, onions and bean sprouts. Keep in mind that whichever foods you choose, less processed, whole foods have higher nutritional values.
Precautions and Warnings
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In general, Americans often do not eat a healthy diet, and hair loss can be one symptom of poor health. Because diet advice often is contradictory and dietary needs vary for each individual, anyone seeking food-related causes or cures for hair loss should be carefully evaluated by a physician, and perhaps a nutritionist, to be sure she is getting the best advice for her individual problem.
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