Hair Loss

Hair Loss or Alopecia

Research has shown that several different types of hair loss may be halted or reversed with nutritional treatments, but there is no evidence that male pattern baldness can be successfully treated nutritionally.  As with other tissues in the body, maintaining healthy hair requires a wide range of nutrients, and a deficiency of one or more nutrients could be a factor in diffuse hair loss.  Hair loss may be one of the earlier manifestations of nutritional deficiency, and may occur in the presence of relatively mild deficiencies.

Protein-energy-malnutrition, crash dieting and untreated celiac disease have been associated with hair loss or diffuse alopecia.  Iron deficiency is a common cause of diffuse hair loss and correction of iron deficiency can lead to resolution.  Zinc deficiency causes hair loss which can be reversed by zinc supplementation.    Essential fatty acids like fish oil, flax oil and evening primrose oil may be of benefit.  Certain B-vitamins have been found to be very helpful in alopecia, like biotin, folic acid, B6 and B12.  Vitamin A toxicity can cause hair loss, so it is important to investigate one’s current vitamin supplement regimen.  Anecdotal evidence suggests that supplementation with a blend of free form amino acids can help prevent or reverse hair loss.

 At my clinic:

Usually the female patient with hair loss that comes to see me.  I usually look for nutritional and thyroid hormone deficiency.  Correcting these abnormalities nutritionally and hormonally (if indicated) is often curative.  If indicated, I usually prescribe HCL (hydrochloric acid) to patients with symptoms suggestive of low stomach acid.  Correcting HCL deficiency can improve nutritional status by improved absorption and potentially ameliorate hair loss.