You are running a comb through your hair, and you notice chunks of it falling off, or the hair on your scalp has begun to thin so severely it’s causing you to worry; you’re most likely experiencing hair loss.
Several things could be the cause, including food or, should we say, lack of good ones.
One of the significant causes of hair loss or hair fall is genetic factors. Androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is a largely hereditary condition that affects millions of people.
However, poor diet and nutrition can also contribute to increased hair loss.
Here are some foods that too much of or lack can cause hair loss.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral nutritionally beneficial to many cells in the body. Certain seafood, organ meats, and Brazil nuts are exceptionally high in selenium. It is also found in smaller amounts in many different foods. However, in most cases, selenium toxicity occurs when people take its supplement, and the blood cannot absorb it properly.
Besides hair loss, other symptoms of selenium toxicity are nausea and vomiting, bad breath, nail discolouration, fatigue, and irritability.
Vitamin A
According to the National Institutes of Health and Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision and proper organ function.
However, like in selenium, too much of this micronutrient present in the body, called Vitamin A toxicity, can trigger hair loss and other dreadful symptoms.
Vitamin A toxicity usually occurs in people taking high vitamin A supplements.
The reaction can be split into acute and chronic Vitamin A toxicity. The acute kind is usually characterised by abdominal pain, rash and vomiting. The chronic form is often associated with hair loss, alongside dry, rough skin and brittle bones that can lead to bone fractures.
Dramatic diet change
Changing your diet to restrict calories for weight loss and other reasons might cause your hair to fall off.
When you deprive your body of essential nutrients, like protein, fatty acids, and zinc, these deficiencies can lead to a specific type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. However, on the bright side, this condition is reversible with good dieting rich in nutrients the body needs.
In general, hair loss caused by food can be challenging to trace, depending on the variables at work. To be safe, dietitians advise eating a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory, plant-based foods to allow your hair to flourish.
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