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While the evidence
that links hair loss to dieting is becoming
increasingly clear, you won't see diet companies
providing this
information on warning labels. Further, the faster
you lose
pounds with some of the more severe crash diets,
including many
liquid diets, the more stress you're putting on your
body. This
stress may increase the risk and incidence of
thinning hair -
hair loss is a high price to pay for dieting!
A diet, by definition, deprives the body of one or
more
nutrients which are essential for growth. Even a
mild diet can
deprive the body of nutrients. When this occurs it's
natural for
the body to allocate those limited nutrients to the
functions of
the body that are essential to stay alive. Nutrients
for hair
growth are low on that priority scale. When the body
is deprived
of a nutrient such as protein, it will save this
protein, and
hair growth will be shifted into the resting stage.
Massive hair
shedding can occur two to three months later.
Another symptom of
diet related hair loss and thinning is the ease at
which hair
can be pulled out.
Some of the more common nutrient deficiencies that
can lead to
hair loss include; iron, sudden changes in
magnesium, zinc,
essential fatty acids, protein, and vitamins A, B
and D. Crash
diets, quick weight-loss programs that claim you can
lose
upwards of 20 pounds in a short time period, and
those that
suggest the elimination of a particular food group,
can
accelerate hair loss and are of particular concern.
These types
of diets may include everything from vegetarian,
low-fat, or
even high protein diets.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't go on a diet, just
do it in
moderation and keep your diet plan balanced. One of
the best
ways to lose weight is a reduced-calorie plan over
an extended
period. This approach maintains a balanced diet and
increases
the probability of keeping weight off on a more
permanent basis.
You should also consider a multi-vitamin with iron.
If you've experienced hair loss through excessive
dieting, the
good news is that it's reversible and can be
prevented once you
get back onto a diet with the right amount and
balance of
nutrients. It won't happen quickly and may take 6
months after
the diet ends to reverse the trend and another year
to take your
hair back to its original thickness. |
