Around 60% of men will experience hair loss by the age of 50 according to The Hair Society. The same study found that 50% of women will also experience hair loss or thinning at some point in their lifetimes. Whilst many of these cases will present permanent hair loss challenges to their sufferers, some hair loss experiences are more fleeting…
Temporary hair loss is particularly widespread in the UK and the rest of the world. Whether the result of pregnancy, surgery, illness, crash dieting, medication use or extreme stress, temporary hair loss is just as difficult to handle as permanent hair loss.
Menopause is another leading cause of temporary hair loss, resulting in regular bouts of shredding and thinning. Here Flo explains why:
“When a person experiences hair loss and other symptoms of menopause, it is predominantly due to hormonal changes. With age, the ovaries begin to decrease the amount of sex hormones that are normally produced. As the body responds to the fluctuations in hormones, numerous physical changes occur. Menopausal hair loss is directly related to the decreased production of estrogen and progesterone.”
For those suffering from temporary hair loss, for whatever reason, there is a long list of surgical and non-surgical treatments to explore. Unbeknown to most, however, is that adjusting your diet and getting the nutrients you need can aid recovery and help restore follicles.
Many types of temporary hair loss have direct links to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. A lack of vitamin B12, vitamin D, biotin, riboflavin and iron has all been associated with hair loss.
Eating a varied, healthy diet can provide the hair health boost many people need, including those suffering from temporary hair loss or experiencing more progressive problems like male pattern baldness.
Enjoying a Mediterranean diet that’s rich in fresh vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil is a great way to slow down the onset of permanent hair loss and recover from temporary issues.
Eggs are another hair health superfood, with protein and biotin both found in abundance in this everyday ingredient. Biotin is particularly important for hair growth. A vitamin of the B complex, biotin is integral to the production of hair protein, keratin. The antioxidant content of berries also safeguards hair follicles from damage as well as helps the body absorb iron.
For a dose of all those hair-boosting nutrients (including vitamin A, vitamin C, folate and iron) add a sprinkling of spinach to your dishes. Omega 3 has been proven to promote hair growth too, and that’s found in spinach, fatty fish, tofu, flax and chia seeds, and walnuts.
Whilst not something you’d chow down on every day, oysters are more than just an aphrodisiac. They’re abundant in zinc, with one, medium-sized oyster delivering up to 96% of your daily allowance. By adding zinc to your diet in the right doses, you can promote hair growth and repair, and prevent the onset of hair loss condition telogen effluvium.
Want more top tips for hair health? Read our guide to reducing hair loss for further advice.
