How Weight Loss And Hair Thinning Are Linked

When you’re trying to lose weight, it may seem like nothing matters except your physical appearance. But here’s the bad news: losing weight can actually make your hair thinner and more prone to breaking, especially if you lose weight rapidly. Here’s how weight loss and hair thinning are linked – and what you can do about it!

What Is The Connection Between Weight Loss And Hair Thinning?

The connection between weight loss and hair thinning is a bit more complex than it seems.

Here are few ways in which losing weight can cause thinning hair. 

Nutrient Deficiency

If you’re deficient in certain nutrients, your hair can suffer. Deficiencies in iron, protein and biotin are commonly associated with hair loss or thinning hair. If you have a nutrient deficiency that is leading to chronic hair loss, it may not resolve on its own until treated—but at least you’ll know what is causing it. Ask your doctor for more information about vitamin deficiencies and their relation to hair loss. Make sure you're getting enough of these vitamins from foods like eggs, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tuna and spinach. Also remember to include adequate amounts of protein-rich foods such as fish, chicken breast, lean beef and yogurt into your diet each day. (1)

Hormonal Imbalance

When you lose weight, you might not just be losing fat. You may also lose hair, which is made of protein. Some nutritionists believe that a weight-loss diet can cause hormonal imbalances and lead to an increased loss of hair—it’s not clear how or why exactly these two things happen together. Stress: Another possible connection between weight loss and hair thinning involves stress levels and physiological changes in your body. If you experience extreme stress while on a weight-loss plan, it could trigger hair loss as well. If you notice excessive shedding after starting a new exercise regimen or other lifestyle change, consult with your doctor to make sure there isn’t another underlying condition causing it. (2)

Androgenic alopecia is a  genetic condition that causes hair loss. It affects both men and women, but it’s more common in men. It’s also called male-pattern baldness because it causes a receding hairline and/or bald spots on top of your head.

High levels of androgens can cause hair loss. Men have higher levels of these hormones than women, which is why they’re more likely to develop androgenic alopecia. The most common cause is male-pattern baldness, which affects about 30 million men in the United States. (3)

Excessive Stress

The link between weight loss and hair thinning may be attributed to stress. Excessive stress can cause you to lose your hair and make it fall out. If you’re under a lot of pressure, your body produces cortisol as a natural response to deal with stressful situations. However, research shows that excessive cortisol can have damaging effects on our bodies. Long-term exposure can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, weight gain and other chronic conditions.

If you are dealing with excessive stress and hair loss, it may be helpful to schedule a visit with your doctor. The most common cause of hair loss is telogen effluvium (TE), which is when you lose more than 100 hairs per day and causes shedding for at least three months. It can occur at any time but tends to be triggered by periods of emotional or physical stress or other health problems like fever, anemia or menopause.

Are There Foods That Cause Hair Loss?

The effect of diet on hair loss is not well understood. However, there are some foods that are thought to play a role in hair loss. These include: Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can cause anemia, which may lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency: An iron deficiency can cause hair loss by preventing your body from producing enough red blood cells and oxygen-rich blood.

Simple Carbohydrates

Carbs often come under fire for their role in weight gain. But in most cases, its not carbs that are to blame—its their processed nature. Processed carbs (white bread, crackers, pasta) tend to be high on our list of addictive foods because they enter your bloodstream quickly and cause your blood sugar levels to spike. This rapid rise causes your body to crave more fast-digesting carbs soon after a meal. It’s a vicious cycle!

Saturated Fat

Our diet and lifestyle habits can play a big role in hair loss, and not just when it comes to over-processing your locks. The intake of saturated fat, for example, has been linked to hair loss in some cases. Our bodies naturally produce fatty acids, but we also get them from animal products like meat and dairy products, which contain a type of saturated fat called arachidonic acid. 

Arachidonic acid helps regulate cell growth, blood clotting and inflammation—but too much of it can cause problems with all three functions. For starters, excessive amounts of arachidonic acid could lead to hair loss because it’s known to be involved in an inflammatory response that causes sebaceous glands (the glands that secrete oil onto our scalp) to become clogged up with dead skin cells—which prevents new hairs from growing through.

Fish With High Levels Of Mercury

When your hair is falling out, you don’t want to eat any more mercury than necessary. This means avoiding fish that contain high levels of mercury. According to a report by CBS News, the general rule of thumb is that women can eat up to two servings per week of fish that are lower in mercury like shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon and tilapia.

 Mercury is considered to be a toxic metal. It can accumulate in body tissues and has harmful effects on various parts of your body including your heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. It’s especially dangerous for children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because it can impair their mental development, explains WebMD.

Will Hair Lost During Weight Loss Grow Back?

Hair loss during weight loss is temporary and reversible, it can be an unnerving experience. To make matters worse, most people experience hair loss after losing just five to 10 pounds, before they’ve really started seeing any major weight-loss results. Don’t worry: The truth is that your thinning hair is a sign of something far more positive than you might think.

How to Prevent My Hair From Falling Out During Weight Loss?

Eat More Hair-Friendly Foods Just like you should be loading up on nutrient-rich foods to help your body recover from weight loss, you should also be eating more foods that promote hair growth. Vitamin C is one of those nutrients. It’s found in many fruits and vegetables and helps protect against cell damage. When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables so that you get all of these nutrients in your diet.

Protein 

Protein is a building block of hair. It’s important to eat protein with every meal, but it’s especially important when you’re trying to lose weight. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar levels and provides your body with energy. It also keeps you feeling full longer so that you don’t overeat later in the day.

Biotin 

Biotin is a B vitamin that helps your body metabolize fats and proteins. It also promotes hair growth, so it’s important to eat foods that contain biotin if you’re trying to lose weight. Foods that are high in biotin include eggs, whole grains, almonds, avocado and cauliflower.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and cause cell death. They’re also known to cause hair loss, so it’s important to eat foods that contain vitamin C if you’re trying to lose weight.

Avoid Crash Diets

Eating too little can cause your body to panic. When you don’t eat enough, your body may think it’s starving and might start eating away at your muscle mass for energy instead of fat cells. If you want to lose weight, aim for a slow and steady weight loss by following sensible eating strategies like these

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is vital for overall health, but a high fluid intake can also help to make hair look healthy and full. If you’re losing weight, your body can become dehydrated; over time, dehydration may contribute to hair thinning. It’s a good idea to monitor your fluid intake—especially if you notice that your locks are looking thinner.

Manage Your Stress Levels

It’s important to make time for self-care and relaxation, as it can help you reduce your stress levels. Work up a sweat with aerobic exercise to burn calories and relax at the same time. Just 30 minutes of light jogging three times a week can lower your cortisol levels. (4)

Conclusion

Studies have shown that losing weight can improve your hair’s overall health and appearance. Exercise, eating better, and stress management help to keep your hormones in check, which is important for both your physical and mental health. But it may take some time before you see results, especially if you’re losing more than two pounds a week. Stay patient with yourself while your body adjusts to its new size—you might be surprised by how great you feel!

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