What causes hair loss and can it be prevented?
by Alan Muir
How many hairs do you lose in a day? On average 50 to 150 hairs are lost in a day. When hair is lost at an abnormally faster rate and hair is regenerated at a much slower rate, hair loss can occur. Often blamed on genetics, hair loss is a common problem among men, but it also occurs in women and children. What causes hair loss?
The American Academy of Family Physicians recently explained that possible causes of hair loss can be:
- Stress caused by illness
- Changes in hormone levels or thyroid ailments
- Medications (blood thinners, heart medications, oral contraceptives, antidepressants)
- Fungal infection of the scalp
- Diabetes or lupus
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Saw Palmetto
The conversion of testosterone to DHT is often blocked by an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. Saw palmetto has been shown to block this enzyme. Researchers gave saw palmetto to 19 healthy men (23 to 64 years old) with mild or moderate hair loss for approximately four months. Subjects that received 200 mg of saw palmetto twice a day had greater improvements in hair growth, when compared to the placebo group.
Selenium & Zinc
Mineral deficiencies can cause many negative health effects, including hair loss. Specifically, selenium and zinc deficiencies may reduce hair growth. These minerals are typically obtained in the foods we eat, but poor diets and nutrient-deficient soils can leave many individuals depleted of the amounts needed to keep their hair healthy. Mineral supplementation can restore hair growth (200 mcg/day – Selenium, 20 to 30 mg/day – Zinc)
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Fatty Acids can help balance hormones that may cause hair loss. Pregnant women often experience hair loss, as their hormones are completely altered while they are pregnant and shift again after the baby is born. Flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil are good sources of omega-3s that can maintain healthy skin and hair.
Desiccated Thyroid
Thyroid disorders can cause hair loss, among many other ailments including weight gain, depression, and fatigue. Balancing thyroid levels will improve texture and health of your hair. Desiccated thyroid treatments can be a beneficial alternative to conventional thyroid treatments for balancing thyroid levels. Additionally, selenium aids thyroid function to decrease hair loss that may be related to thyroid disorders.
References
Comhaire F, Mahmoud A. Preventing diseases of the prostate in the elderly using hormones and nutriceuticals. Aging Male. 2004 Jun;7(2):155-169
Gartner R, Gasnier BC. Selenium in the treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis. Biofactors. 2003; 19(3-4):165-170.
Marks LS, Hess DL, Dorey FJ, et al. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology. 2001 May;57(5):999-1005.
Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):143-152.
