Hair loss is a prevalent problem in fashionable society, and it may be attributable to numerous elements, together with lengthy COVID. Along with medical causes, weight loss program also can contribute to hair loss.
Chen Hsin Hung, the director of Taiwan’s Joyful HAN Chinese language Medication Clinic and a hair care and progress specialist, just lately shared 5 meals with The Epoch Occasions that may probably injury hair and trigger hair loss.
1. Excessive Sugar Content material
Sugar is a big supply of vitality that’s very important for the metabolic progress of human cells. In accordance with conventional Chinese language drugs (TCM), the sweetness in sugar can enter the spleen, and a reasonable quantity of sweetness may also help to invigorate the spleen and improve digestion.
Nevertheless, consuming too many carbohydrates can set off insulin launch within the blood, resulting in cardio respiratory processes that may deplete the physique’s macrobiotics and coenzymes. This may end up in the manufacturing of quite a few oxidative merchandise, together with peroxide teams and acids.
Consuming an excessively candy weight loss program can result in a brief deficiency of micronutrients. It could set off inflammatory reactions and extreme sebum secretion, that are detrimental to the expansion of a wholesome scalp atmosphere. This may hinder the absorption of important vitamins by the hair and will trigger hair follicles to enter a resting part, resulting in hair loss.
Subsequently, it’s endorsed to devour the next meals sparsely:
- Sugary drinks
- Barbecue sauce
- Sweets
- Candy fruits
- Different extremely candy meals
A latest examine of over 1,000 males discovered a direct affiliation between sugary drink consumption and hair loss in younger males. The examine confirmed that members who consumed a couple of sugary drink per day (greater than 3,500 milliliters per week) had a 2.36 instances higher danger of experiencing hair loss in comparison with those that didn’t devour sugary drinks.
The examine was printed within the worldwide journal Vitamins in January 2023.
A dietary paper on girls with menopausal hair loss discovered that extreme sugar consumption pertains to hair loss. The paper revealed {that a} weight loss program excessive in easy sugars elevated sebum manufacturing, which might trigger scalp irritation and irritation.
The paper was printed within the worldwide journal Menopause Assessment in March 2016.
2. Excessive Fats Content material
Consuming meals excessive in oil and sugar can result in an oily scalp and will even clog hair follicles, which might trigger irritation and pores and skin issues. It may additionally enhance testosterone ranges within the physique, resulting in an increase in dihydrotestosterone, which might worsen male sample baldness.
It’s advisable to restrict the consumption of high-fat meals comparable to bacon, complete milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and fried merchandise to keep away from potential damaging results on well being.
A 2021 examine printed within the worldwide journal Nature revealed that weight problems may contribute to hair thinning. The examine discovered that the stem cells within the hair follicles of rats fed a high-fat weight loss program behaved in another way than these of rats on a traditional weight loss program. Inflammatory indicators within the stem cells had been accountable for these variations, in the end leading to hair thinning and loss.
3. Heavy Components
1. Salty
In accordance with TCM, salt can enter the kidneys, and an applicable quantity may also help replenish hint components. Nevertheless, extreme consumption could burden the physique and result in modifications in blood strain or irregular blood circulation. This not solely reduces the quantity of blood transported to the scalp but in addition impacts the supply of progress elements and vitamins to hair follicle cells, inflicting hair to turn into skinny and shriveled and even accelerating hair loss by pushing hair follicle cells into the resting part.
Subsequently, you will need to be conscious of consuming meals that include extreme salt, comparable to sausages, cheese, smoked merchandise, pickled substances, and so on. These meals needs to be consumed sparsely, and you will need to keep properly hydrated.
2. Overly Spicy
In accordance with TCM, consuming meals with an applicable stage of spicy taste may also help enhance blood circulation. Nevertheless, extreme consumption could trigger extreme sweating, resulting in fluid loss and potential oil buildup on the scalp. This may block hair follicles and pores, which isn’t conducive to hair progress. Subsequently, meals comparable to spicy barbecue sauce, kimchi, chili peppers, inexperienced onions, ginger, garlic, and different spicy meals needs to be consumed sparsely.
Though no analysis in Western drugs instantly hyperlinks an excessive amount of salt or spicy substances to hair well being, you will need to word that completely different races could have completely different hair situations and dietary wants primarily based on their regional atmosphere. You will need to take into account particular person variations concerning dietary suggestions for hair well being.
4. Processed and Refined Meals
Artificially processed and refined meals typically include preservatives, synthetic colours, and sweeteners, amongst different components, which might set off an inflammatory response within the physique and trigger hurt. Moreover, to boost the style, these meals are sometimes flavored with excessive quantities of oil, sugar, and salt, that are unsuitable for extreme consumption. It is suggested to restrict the consumption of processed meals.
Take into account the substances earlier than shopping for or consuming processed meals comparable to meatballs, bacon, sausages, and marshmallows.
5. Smoking, Extreme Alcohol Consumption, and Caffeine
Smoking not solely causes many continual ailments but in addition contributes to hair loss. Smoking results in poor blood circulation within the scalp, which ends up in inadequate blood provide to the hair follicles, in the end resulting in hair loss.
A 2021 article in Pores and skin Appendage Issues highlighted an evaluation of 32 research investigating the hyperlink between smoking and hair well being. The examine discovered that people who smoke had been extra prone to expertise untimely graying and hair loss, together with androgenetic alopecia and frontal fibrosis, than nonsmokers, confirming the damaging impression of smoking on hair well being.
Whereas there is no such thing as a conclusive proof to recommend that alcohol or caffeinated drinks instantly trigger hair loss, extreme consumption of those drinks can result in stress on the endocrine system and trigger the sympathetic nerves to stay hyperactive, which isn’t useful for hair progress.
In accordance with Chen, sustaining a balanced and applicable weight loss program is essential. Keep away from the above 5 meals and habits. For stopping hair loss, he recommends consuming meals wealthy in high-quality protein, collagen, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and the B-vitamin group (comparable to folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, and so on.), all of which promote hair progress.
