American Diet and Hair Loss


Healthy eating is very important for strong, shiny, luxurious hair. When people get benefit from what nature gives them and eat a lot of vegetables, seeds, nuts, fish and lean meat, they are healthy in all the ways and even genetic hair loss might be prevented with a well-balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals.

Unfortunately, many people eat wrong food. Meals which are based on fast-food products do not give benefit to the bodies. So called American diet makes people overweight and brings all kinds of health disorders. It contains high amounts of fat, salt and animal protein which are damaging for kidneys and bring imbalance to blood acidity. The side-effect of both of these problems is hair loss.

The high level of saturated fat and cholesterol in American diet increases the production of testosterone derivative dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The main goal of this hormone is to attack hair follicles and make them dysfunctional. In order to slow down male pattern baldness caused by DHT specialists recommend low-fat diet. A good example can be made with Asian men. Before World War II Asian countries were more isolated from other world and were not accustomed to Western food. They ate low-fat meals, and their diet was full in fish and sea weed both of which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids which strengthen hair and improve its growth. After the war fast-food was introduced to Japan and other countries and now Asian men experience hair loss almost as often as Americans.

Trace mineral silica is very important for hair growth, strength and good look. Unfortunately it is very deficient in American diet, while Asian people have silica in the majority of their meals. Silica makes hair stronger and more flexible, so it stretches and does not break easily (this is why split ends are usually a sign of silica deficiency). This mineral can be found in rice, lettuce, parsnips, asparagus, onions, strawberries, cabbage, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, celery, rhubarb and cauliflower. Many grains contain it too, but the way they are processed in modern world takes away silica. Only whole grains like oats, whole wheat, barley, and millet would be the sources of silica.

Common table salt is also blamed for hair loss. Traditional American diet is full of it and in some cases such things as French fires have extremely high amounts of it. Salt does not have a direct impact of hair, but it acidifies the blood which brings all necessary nutrients to hair follicles. The high acidity level might be damaging for hair.

Sugar is on the other side from salt, but it is bad for hair as well. It changes blood sugar level and brings imbalance to hormones. Sugar also stands in one line with caffeine, alcohol and nicotine as a substance that draws nutrients out of the body, and causes adrenal levels to rise. All of these factors have negative impact on hair and provoke its shedding.

And final, but not least factor of American diet that causes hair loss is lack of nutrients. Hamburgers, French fries, sandwiches, sweet carbonated drinks, biscuits and onion rings hardly have any vitamins and minerals. Hair strands are mainly built of protein, but they also require vitamins A, B, C and E for healthy growth. Almost any diet full in vegetables will provide these vitamins. Zinc, iron and iodine also give health and strength to hair. They can be found in lean meats, dairy products, fish, vegetables and fruits.

Natalie Brown

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Posted on October 19, 2009 
Filed Under Diet Reviews, Obesity and Health

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