Hair growth problems can occur in both men and women of all ages. The causes of hair loss vary, depending upon your genes and your overall health. MPB Research--which promotes anti-hair loss products--deems soy to be an effective hair growth treatment. Soy beans are generally a healthy food choice, and are often an alternative to conventional meats. However, if hair loss is contributed to by an underlying illness and not to nutritional problems, soy may not be a viable hair growth solution.
Causes
Hair loss occurs when your hair follicles fail to grow hairs. According to Quickcare, 50 percent of men and 40 percent of women experience hair loss problems. The most common cause of hair loss is your genes; if hair loss runs in your family, you will likely experience hair growth problems. An increase in a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a direct cause of hair loss. Other causes of hair loss include malnutrition, stress and thyroid problems.
Ingredients
One of the components of hair is protein. Therefore, Quickcare advises that you consume protein-rich foods such as soy products to help boost hair growth. Soy also contains essential fatty acids to help promote hair growth. Other examples of essential fatty acids include fish, canola oil, olive oil and nuts. According to MPB Research, soy beans are natural sources of daidzein and genistein, two isoflavones that increase hair follicle activity.
Preventive Solution
Genistein in soy helps to condition your scalp and protect the hair follicles from releasing hairs, resulting in baldness. MPB Research explains that genistein aids in scalp moisture retention, which optimizes hair follicle health. The prevention of hair loss depends upon healthy hair follicles, as they keep hairs attached to the scalp.
Hair Re-growth
MPB Research explains that soy products may help to re-grow hair that is lost due to immune disorders such as alopecia areata. Alopecia areata prevents your hair follicles from generating new hairs, resulting in sporadic baldness. The genistein content in soy beans purportedly helps to boost your immune system, as well as suppressing cellular destruction. Boosted immunity may help to decrease the occurrences of alopecia areata-related hair loss, causing your hair follicles to produce new hairs.
Considerations
Although soy may help increase new hair growth, it is not an effective and proven treatment for severe hair loss problems. Natural News advocates the consumption of soy products, whether you have problems with hair growth or not. However, if your hair loss is related to a thyroid problem, soy consumption may actually decrease thyroid hormone production, thereby worsening your condition. Hair loss that persists despite dietary changes should be addressed and medically treated by a doctor.
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