Food Trigger List That May Affect Hair Loss

It may not sound like a serious problem, but the health of your hair can be a red flag for underlying health issues. If you are experiencing dry, brittle hair or hair loss, it may be a symptom of a much more serious issue. It may also be a sign that you need to change your diet. Poor nutrition can have detrimental effects on your overall health, including hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss, you may want to avoid foods rich in hydrogenated oils and sugars. And be sure to include enough minerals in your diet such as iron.

Hydrogenated Oils

Hydrogenated oils top the ingredient list of an alarming number of food products. According to Dr. HingHau Tsang, founder of Tsang Nutrition, hydrogenated oils block or cause a deficiency of essential fatty acids in your system. Essential fatty acids are healthy fats that are necessary for you to live as healthy as possible -- they include omega-3 fatty acids that are present in fish fats. These essential fatty acids help keep your skin, scalp and hair healthy. If you consume a large amount of hydrogenated oils, you may experience hair loss.

Iron

In a study featured in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology," Dr. Leonid Benjamin Trost suggests hair loss may be linked to an iron deficiency. If you're experiencing hair loss, it's possible a lack of iron in your blood may make the issue worse than if you have a sufficient amount of iron in your system. Iron supplementation may help reduce the amount of hair you're losing. However, you shouldn't begin any form of iron supplementation therapy before consulting with a doctor and determining that you do have a deficiency.

Sugar

Your sugar intake plays an important role in the amount of insulin your pancreas produces. While increased insulin is not a cause of hair loss, it is a major player in potential hormonal imbalances that do cause hair loss, particularly in women. According to Nurse Practitioner Marcy Holms, women who are insulin-resistant may experience a hormonal imbalance or other endocrinologic issue that causes marked hair loss.

References

• HingHau Tsang: Natural Approach to Hair Loss
• Leonid Benjamin Trost, MD, Wilma Fowler Bergfield, MD, & Ellen Calogeras, RD, LD, MPH: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and It's Potential Relationship to Hair Loss.
• Marcy Holms: Hair Loss in Women.