Fitness fads and hair loss
There’s no shame in losing weight and looking good. But while eating healthy and working out is generally a good idea, it can come with some unintended side effects such as hair thinning.
Here’s how diet and exercise routines can be related to hair loss and what hair treatments can help.
Crash diets and hair thinning
Diets that involve drastically reducing caloric intake for rapid weight loss can deprive the body of the essential nutrients needed for healthy hair growth. These diets often lack sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals, leading to a condition called telogen effluvium, where hair prematurely enters the shedding phase. Additionally, sudden weight loss can shock the body, causing testosterone and hormonal imbalances that affect hair growth cycles. Click here for the best diet for hair health.
Physical stress and balding
Excessive exercise, particularly high-intensity workouts and endurance training can also contribute to hair loss. Intense physical activity elevates cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. Prolonged elevation of cortisol levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding and thinning.
Underlying hair loss conditions
We should recognise that it’s usually not just one thing that is causing your hair loss. A lack of nutrition or elevated cortisol levels from physical stress could be one part of a bigger problem. An underlying medical condition or genetic predisposition such as female or male pattern baldness could be exacerbated by your sudden lifestyle changes. If you have a family history of hair loss, it always pays to be more vigilant in keeping an eye on your hairline so you can stop it receding before it goes to far. It’s also why a complete care program that combines a few hair loss treatments is usually more effective than relying on any single solution.
How to solve hair thinning
If you think your hair loss might be due to your diet or fitness routine, there are several treatment options available to help you regrow your hair and maintain its health:
Vitamins for Hair Health
Vitamin A aids in sebum production and hair cell growth, while B vitamins like biotin, B5, B6, and B12 support oxygen and nutrient transport to the scalp and hair follicles. Vitamin C promotes collagen production and iron absorption, vital for hair follicle structure and health. Vitamin D stimulates hair follicles, and Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, aiding in tissue repair and improving blood circulation to hair follicles. Iron and zinc contribute to hair tissue growth and oil gland function around follicles, respectively. Omega-3 fatty acids supports scalp health and reduces inflammation, a potential contributor to hair loss. Of course, It’s essential to consume these vitamins as part of a balanced diet.
Stress Reduction Techniques
Incorporating stress-reduction practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises into your routine can help lower cortisol levels and mitigate the impact on your hair.
Natural Supplements
Certain natural supplements, such as biotin, saw palmetto, and marine collagen, have been shown to support healthy hair growth and combat hair loss. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your regimen.
Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to stimulate hair growth by enhancing blood flow to the scalp and promoting cellular activity in hair follicles. Laser treatments can also be quite a therapeutic experience which may help further reduce stress.
Pharmaceuticals
If you have an underlying hair loss condition, you may also want to consider medications to boost your hair regrowth. Book a free consultation and the team at Ashley & Martin will assess your hair thinning before recommending a suitable treatment plan.
Is hair loss permanent?
While sudden changes to your diet and fitness plan can put your body under stress and cause hair thinning, you shouldn’t worry too much. Often, your hair will regrow naturally once your body has adjusted to your new routine.
If your hair loss persists, there are plenty of things you can do to stop going bald. Ashley & Martin offers a broad range of treatment plans that usually come with a hair regrowth guarantee.
Simply book a free consultation with Ashley & Martin’s hair loss specialists and we will assess your condition before letting you know what your hair treatment options are. From there you can choose the approach that is right for you to maintain your hair and your health.