How to prevent hair loss or thinning

January 31, 2008 | By JessieM In Natural Beauty |

There are many reasons for hair loss in both men and women. The main reason for women is hormonal imbalances known as female pattern baldness. Hair thinning is most common problem often due to a thyroid gland being overactive or inactive. Sometimes women experience hair loss after child birth also due to hormonal imbalance. However the situation can revert to normal once the hormones returned to pre-pregnancy levels over time. Hair loss can also be caused by hormonal therapies for older women. Usually women hair loss and menopause are closely linked with more women experiencing hair loss after menopause.

Women are not the only group who experience hair loss and thinning. This is a problem that affects a multitude of people irrespective of sex, race, age and creed. Most of the problems upon analysis were due to hereditary, stress, insufficient sleep, bad diet, or an illness.

One can prevent or reduce hair loss by controlling the food intake as well as some therapies that you can do at home.

Food

The important vitamins and minerals that you should look out for are: Folic Acid, Magnesium, Calcium,Biotin, B-6, Vitamins A, E, and C. This means that you should eat lots of fresh organic vegetables and fruits as they contain essential vitamins such as A, B and C, flavonoids and minerals necessary for healthy hair growth. Fish such as salmon and tuna are good sources of EPA that is necessary for improved blood circulation for stronger hair roots and overall health. Fish also contain quality protein for strong hair as your hair is mainly protein in structure. Other form of protein sources such as beef, poultry are good as it contain an amino acid called cysteine, an important nutrient for healthy scalp. In short, consume a well mix of protein, complex carbs and fats for a healthy diet. Stay away from oily food usually found in fast foods. Avoid processed foods too as they contain harmful preservatives and excess sodium. Low inflammatory foods such as broccoli, spinach, nuts, whole grains, eggs, fish, leafy vegetables, brown rice are highly recommended.

It goes without saying that if you eat well and stay healthy even your hair looks great and luxurious. The connection between food and health is one most important link. Hair loss is usually traced back to ill health and medication which leads to hair loss itself.

Home Therapies

Wash your hair daily using a mild natural shampoo. Choose pure natural products that are free from chemicals that can not only harm your hair but can harm you if it gets absorbed in the body in the long run.

Next try the following remedies in the comfort of your home:

Massage essential oils onto your scalp daily and wrap up with a warm towel. Or you can leave the oils in your scalp overnight. Oils such as almond oil, olive oil, rosemary, lavender, cedar wood, castor oil and coconut oil are known to promote hair growth significantly.

Boil rosemary, sage peach leaf, nettle roots, burdock and water together to get the liquid out of these herbs to wash your hair. It is known to promote hair growth.

Use Jojoba Oil to treat dandruff or any flaky scalp condition. Jojoba oil has long been used to promote hair growth and is good for control of dandruff.

Aloe Vera helps to promote healthy hair and prevent hair loss. A common preparation of Aloe Vera gel with a small amount of wheat germ oil and coconut milk is used as a shampoo and has traditionally shown great benefit.

Use Henna as a natural conditioner for the maintenance of healthy hair. It protects the hair shaft against breakage and loss of shine.

Combine olive oil, honey, and eggs and apply the mixture onto the hair.
Use a natural green tea to wash your hair. It protects your scalp from infections and gets rid of the impurities.

Avoid braiding your hair very tightly and this can lead to significant hair loss as well. Eating the right foods is something else you can do for hair loss prevention

Choosing the right natural shampoo as well as the right diet intake is important to preventing hair loss. If your food intake is irregular or lacking in nutrients, it pays to take a hair nutrients supplement that is specially formulated to rejuvenate the hair follicles and stimulate growth of new hair. The nutrients help to provide optimal nutrition for healthy and growing hair in both men and women.

For men, Saw Palmetto is used widely and considered very effective at reducing present levels of dicey dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It happens with the male hormone called testosterone gets converted to the DHT when in contact with oil glands in the hair follicles.