Can a vegan diet cause hair loss?

Hair loss is very common in both men and women, and there are many different causes and factors in hair loss. Recent research has suggested that both vegan and vegetarian diets could speed up hair loss in men. Since meat contains vital iron that is key to helping your hair grow it is thought to have an effect on hair loss, today we’re looking into how much your diet can affect hair loss.

The vegan diet and hair loss

Turning to a vegan or vegetarian diet is something that has become more and more popular over the last few years. With a number of celebrity fans including Beyoncé and Jared Leto, as well as clams of health benefits including weight loss and longevity, many have chosen to drastically change their eating habits.

Although cutting meat out of your diet has been shown to have some benefits to your health, it could lead to you missing out on vital nutrients that help with hair growth. Foods such as red meat, pork, and poultry are rich in iron, which is essential for hair growth, and a deficiency in the mineral could speed up hair loss.

Although there are many different factors that cause hair loss in men, such as genetics, skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema and thyroid issues, a big factor in hair loss is also nutritional deficiencies. With the rise in vegan and vegetarian diets, it is possible that people are missing out on vital nutrients.

How can I change my diet to help my hair?

Iron is one of the vital nutrients that helps our hair stay healthy and grow, and in some cases not eating meat can mean you’re not getting enough iron. Although it is possible to consume enough iron whilst not eating meat it is more difficult and can be easy to not get enough.

Other sources of iron include spinach, beans, and dried fruit. If you do not eat meat and are worried about hair loss it’s important to ensure you’re eating a healthy and balanced diet that will help to keep your hair healthy. You need to include protein which helps keep hair strong and healthy and foods with a high level of iron, vitamin A, and C. Vitamin A is necessary for cell growth, including hair and a lack of it can lead to dry and brittle hair which is prone to breakage. However, too much vitamin A in your diet can lead to hair loss.

Diet is all about balance, once you’ve found a healthy balance and you’re ensuring you’re getting the right amount of nutrients you will feel better and your hair will be at an advantage too. For some that struggle to get enough iron in their diet, you can consider supplements to boost your daily intake.

Sadly, fixing your diet and ensuring you’re getting the right nutrients will not be able to combat and completely stop hair loss. Hair loss can happen for a number of different reasons and fixing your diet will only help to stop hair loss related to dietary problems.

It is estimated that around 50% of men will lose some hair by the age of 50, with many suffering from an earlier age. It is important to figure out what is causing your hair loss as some causes of hair loss are temporary, others are permeant and will need some form of hair restoration treatment to fix.

If you’re worried about your hair loss, book a consultation with us today where one of our hair loss experts will be able to advise you on your hair loss, and the treatments available.

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