In my limited medical knowledge (mother is a retired RN) I knew that my now lack of nutrition was causing some of the hair loss. I knew (and experienced) hair loss during hormone changes. I also knew that an abrupt diet change can also trigger hair loss, not to mention stress.
But months went by and I was still having large amounts of hair fall out. I was afraid to brush it and shower. There were first fulls and I would clog the drain. I was literally scared!
One day I decided to take Omega 3-6-9 and within about 7 days, I was doing much better, the more I continued on the supplement, the better my hair got. I ran out and decided not to buy another bottle. Soon the hair loss started again, prompting me to run to the store for another bottle of it. Then, slowly it got better again. This is my magic pill that is what what my body seems to want. I have a prior blog on that supplement (which is also used to help with constipation), which you can find here: http://melissagpfight.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/omega-3-for-constipation/ (original posting) or click on Omega 3 in the categories to the right.
Hair Loss Triggers
- Hormonal factors – pregnancy, childbirth, discontinuation of birth control pills or the onset of menopause.
- Thyroid problems – Thyroid gland helps regulate hormones.
- Medications For- Cancer, Arthritis,Depression,High Blood Pressure and Birth Control.
- Stress (Physical or Mental) - Fever, Chronic Illness and Relationship Problems.
- Medical Conditions - inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune diseases.
- Dietary Changes - Severe protein, fatty acid and caloric restriction.
Help For Hair Loss
- Iron – Spinach
- Zinc – Oyster, Crab, Dark Chocolate and Peanuts
- Vitamin D – Greek Yogurt (as well as B5 for follicle help)
- Fatty Acids – tuna, walnuts and flax-seed
- Biotin – egg yolk and cheese
- Magnesium – Halibut
- Vitamin A – Carrots
If you are like me, I am not getting enough of the vitamins needed to even help with hair loss through food alone. I typically only consume 1 small meal of real food a day. The rest is either soup or smoothie for my daily intake.
You may want to have blood work done (if you have not already) to see where exactly your vitamin and mineral levels are. Then go from there. If you are deficient in something, look to see what foods are high in that amount or if the deficiency is really bad, you may need a supplement. Here is a great web site to match foods with vitamins: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/most-nutritious-foods-lists.php
Should you need a supplement, I suggest that you look for a liquid form, as it is easier to digest. If you can’t find one, then the gel caps are fairly good.
UPDATE:
I am now using a shampoo with Argan Oil in it and it has helped a lot to minimize the breakage of the hair as well as keep more on my head than in the shower drain. The first one I used and loved for several years was purchased through my hairdresser and cost a small fortune (over $100 for shampoo and conditioner). I have now switched to the "One 'n Only" brand Argan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo recommended by a fellow GPer. This works just as well as the other stuff and only cost me $20 for shampoo and conditioner (12 oz bottles) to be delivered to my door -- well, there was a coupon deal to buy 1 get one free, so keep your eye out.
Links:
- http://www.ccjm.org/content/76/6/361.full
- http://www.hairlosshelp.com/hair_loss_research/hairloss_causes.cfm
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes
- http://www.healthaliciousness.com/most-nutritious-foods-lists.php
Original Post By MelissaGPfight.wordpress.com