Hair loss, thinning and changes in hair texture occur in both men and women for a variety of reasons at different ages. Though most hair loss is hereditary, the extent and rate at which it occurs also has a lot to do with nutrition and may also be due to medications and sleep and exercise habits. There are also prescription medications and nutritional supplements that can help make a difference.
A number of factors may contribute to hair loss, but you can do something about your relentlessly thinning hair. Nutrition, malabsorption of nutrients, illness, poor blood circulation, prolonged or extreme stress, poor sleep habits, side effects of medications and even damaging hair products all play a part in hair loss. And even if you are genetically predisposed to lose your hair, you can slow the process.
What is Male Pattern Baldness?
Most men who experience hair loss have male pattern balding. This means they lose hair at the front of the head above and at the sides of the forehead and at the top or crown of the head. Male pattern baldness affects almost two thirds of men to varying degrees but over half of all men will experience some thinning or balding by age 45. In male pattern baldness hair loss is due to genetics. The male hormone testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone or DHT in the blood. In males who have inherited male pattern baldness, there may overproduction of DHT; the hair follicles tend to be more sensitive to the hormone and are slowly killed off. In older men this hormone may also cause enlargement of the prostate. Unfortunately, other unwanted hair growth, such as on the chest and back may appear as the hair on the head thins, however these affects can be reduced by medications and supplements that reduce the levels of DHT in the blood.
Hair Loss Due to Illness and Disorders
Abnormal hair loss may also indicate an underlying nutrient deficiency or toxicity in the body. Disorders that affect the body’s nutritional balance, like anemia, thyroid problems and other hormonal imbalances, are common causes of hair loss and changes in hair texture in women. In both men and women, loss of hair in a circular pattern is usually due to a disorder called alopecia areata, which can appear at any age. In women an increase in the hormone estrogen from the contraceptive pill or during pregnancy may also cause temporary thinning of the hair. The toxic side effects of heavy metals and chemotherapy treatments include hair loss and balding. Many pharmaceutical medications can also cause hair loss, such as thyroid and diet pills.
Researchers in Japan found that excessive sebum (oil) production by the sebaceous glands in the scalp may also result in hair loss because it contributes to clogged pores which reduces blood supply to the hair follicles as well as high levels of DHT. A diet high in animal fats is thought to increase sebum production. A buildup of hair products can also plug follicles in the scalp and inhibit hair growth. Other evidence suggests that alopecia may also be due to excessive sebum, fungus, environmental pollutants such as chlorine and harmful UV rays from the sun.
Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions – in which the immune system has an abnormal reaction to the body, can also cause hair loss. The immune system can react to foods, or chemicals or environmental substances without having an obvious allergic reaction. This may occur in individuals who also have other autoimmune disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatism, arthritis, lupus and Crohn's disease. A special blood test can determine what foods or chemicals to avoid helping to reduce the effects and medications can also reduce the abnormal reactions by the immune system.
 |
