Postpartum hair loss is a common occurrence. According to the National Institute of Health, "hair loss that occurs during and after pregnancy, or Telogen effluvium, effects an estimated 40 to 50 percent of women." However, your hormones return to normal after delivery and "your body sheds the excess hair all at once. There are several steps you can take to reduce the possibility of experiencing this temporary condition.
Step 1
Consume 11 to 12 milligrams of zinc per day. Zinc assists in utilizing protein that your body needs to help produce hair. You can acquire Zinc by consuming foods like oysters, crabs, cashews and chick peas.
Step 2
Incorporate between 2.6 to 2.8 micrograms of vitamin B into your daily diet. Vitamin B assists your body's metabolic process and promotes optimal cellular function to stimulate hair growth. Vitamin B is found in foods like beef liver, clams and dairy products.
Step 3
Consume between 80 to 120 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Vitamin C stimulates the hair follicle to promote the growth of new hair after pregnancy. Fruits and vegetables like grapefruit, oranges and carrots provide ample amounts of vitamin C.
Step 4
Supplement your daily diet with a variety of foods that include vitamin E and vegetable oils like nuts, wheat germ and green vegetables. Your body requires vitamin E to improve circulation to your scalp and encourage hair growth. Lactating and pregnant women should consume between 15 to 19 milligrams of vitamin E per day.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are uncertain about whether or not you are properly absorbing these nutrients, your health care provider can provide you with further assistance based on your body's specific needs. If you are a smoker, the absorption rate of these nutrients is typically less than a non-smoker's. As a smoker, you may require increased amounts of each nutrient's recommended daily allowance.
- Many people do not get the recommended amounts of necessary vitamins from food. However, only people with certain diseases become deficient. For example, the National Institute of Health describes individuals who become vitamin E deficient as those who "have trouble digesting or absorbing fat, such as those with Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and certain rare inherited conditions." Contact your health care provider to assess and address any concerns you may have about your health.
Things You'll Need
- Zinc
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
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