Watch out, losing weight can be the cause of hair loss

Hair loss appears to have become a common condition that can be experienced by anyone, from children to adults. Although it is often taken for granted, some people complain of experiencing hair loss when trying to lose weight. Yes, losing weight can indeed be one of the causes of hair loss. The full explanation can be seen below.

Why is losing weight the cause of hair loss?

The existence of hair problems, wrong hair care, and certain medical conditions are some of the causes of hair loss. This condition certainly makes you uncomfortable because usually a lot of hair loss. Now, you may just realize that your hair starts to fall out when you lose weight.

An author of the book Hair Transplant 360 - Follicular Unit Extraction as well as a hair specialist named dr. Ken L. Williams Jr. explain this. According to him, clinically hair loss can indeed be caused by weight loss. The reason is, whether the weight loss is intentional or by dieting or decreasing by itself, both are the same triggers stress and anxiety. This is what unconsciously causes hair loss.

Beth Warren, R.D.N., a nutritionist and founder of Beth Warren Nutrition and author of a book entitled Living a Real Life with Real Food, argues that the more you lose weight, the more hairs you lose. How can?

According to dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, M.P.H., an obesity specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the causes of hair loss is the lack of certain nutrients in the body. For example, when your diet tries to stay away from protein sources and multiply foods with other nutrients. As a result, the function of protein to build body cells - including hair cells - cannot work optimally.

Furthermore, because the amount of protein in the body tends to be small, the body will prioritize several organs or body cells that must be supported by protein first. Your body may judge that your hair doesn't really need protein, so it's not getting enough of it. This in turn can weaken the hair structure and result in hair loss.

Not to mention that there are many women who are on a strict diet during menopause. In fact, at this time the body needs enough nutrients to support the activities and changes that occur in the body. It is this combination of factors that results in hair loss.

Prevents hair loss even when you lose weight

If hair loss is caused by weight loss, then one way to recover it is to restore the lost nutritional intake. You do this by adopting a healthy and balanced diet. In simple terms, the principle is this:

• Meet your calorie needs. Lack of calories can result in hair not having enough energy to support hair growth.
• Meet protein needs. Protein is an important component in hair growth.
• Add whole grains, fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. According to the National Anemia Action Council, whole grains contain iron which, if insufficient amounts, can be a major factor in hair loss. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins A, C, E and zinc which all play a role in hair growth.

You can also treat severe hair loss with medications that can promote hair growth, such as:

Minoxidil

This hair loss medication is in liquid form and can be found at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. Giving minoxidil stimulates the development of better hair follicles, so that the hair that grows is much stronger.

The results of minoxidil are usually only visible after six months of routine use. However, it should be used for more than six months to maintain hair growth.

Finasteride

In contrast to Minoxidil, Finasteride is in the form of a drinking tablet which works by reducing levels of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The reason is, excessive DHT hormone can inhibit new hair growth. So, if taken regularly, finasteride can stimulate new hair growth.

Even though it looks promising, it is important to still consult with your doctor first before deciding to take hair loss medication. In fact, your doctor may be able to provide the most appropriate treatment for your hair loss condition.