Nutritional Treatment for Hair Loss Due to Stress

Nutritional Treatment for Hair Loss Due to Stress
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Stress can cause a number of medical conditions, including hair loss, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. The UMMC suggests nutritional changes as well as mind-body therapies, such as yoga and meditation, to alleviate the stress.The Mayo Clinic reports that three types of hair loss are associated with stress: alopecia areata, telogen effluviium and trichotillomania. Other causes of hair loss can be damaging hair products, such as shampoos and dyes, or drugs and diseases, such as thyroid conditions and bacterial inflammation. Consultation with a medical professional is advised before beginning any new nutritional regimen.

Multivitamins

A daily multivitamin is recommended by the UMMC. This is a good place to begin a broad nutritional treatment because multivitamins usually contain the daily recommended doses suggested by the National Institutes of Health. They usually contain vitamins A, B, C, D and E as well as minerals and trace minerals, such as iron and calcium. Multivitamins help reduce stress because they provide the basic nutritional fuel the body needs, reducing nerve impulses and improving brain function.

B Vitamins

The UMMC recommends increasing the intake of B vitamins to reduce the stress that causes hair loss. They suggest taking a B complex vitamin because the B vitamins work together in the body to reduce stress. B vitamins help heal the nervous system.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E may help heal the stress that causes hair loss, according to the Nutritional Supplements Guide, because vitamin E is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are produced when the body is stressed, so removing thems help reduce stress.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that is necessary for the body. Because your body cannot produce it, intake via foods or vitamins is necessary. Food sources are fatty fish, such as salmon, but fish oils are readily available for nutrient supplementation as well. These fats help restore brain function and thereby reduce stress.

Zinc

A zinc deficiency can be caused by stress, according the Nutritional Supplements Guide. The Huntington College of Health Sciences states that many Americans are deficient in this nutrient and that deficiency can lead to hair loss. Zinc can be applied topically as well as taken internally.

References

Article reviewed by Danielle Last updated on: Nov 30, 2010

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