Fight Baldness Without Drugs

June 28, 2014  21:03

Hair loss can be devastating to both men and women, and it's more common than you might think. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, half of men are balding by age 50, NewsMax Health reports.

 And although few women talk about it openly because of embarrassment or stigma, some 40 percent of them will suffer hair loss in their lifetime.

Genes play a big role, and experts agree there's not much you can do to prevent genetic balding, although some medications can ease hair loss.

The most popular are minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia), both of which have limited effectiveness and can have serious side effects.

But there are numerous causes of hair loss that you can control. Something as simple as changing grooming practices, can lead to hair regrowth.

Dying hair, styling it too often (especially tight braids and hair weaves), and using chemical relaxers and other harsh treatments can cause hair to fall out.

Common medications can also cause hair loss. We know that people who undergo chemotherapy and radiation for cancer lose their hair, but nobody talks about how antibiotics can cause hair loss.

Other medications linked to baldness include blood thinners, beta-blocker and calcium channel-blocker blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) taken for pain, including ibuprofen.

Stress often leads to hair loss. Taking care of yourself will help your hair grow back. That includes a healthy diet, getting eight hours of sleep, and regular exercise.

Thyroid disorders also cause loss of hair. Hair that thins, becomes rough, and breaks easily is a common sign of thyroid malfunction.

Also, these essential nutrients are recommended for hair growth:

Iron:  Iron-rich foods include red meat, dark leafy greens, whole grains, eggs, and oysters.

Magnesium: Too little magnesium, in relation to calcium levels, can cause hair loss. To correct it, reduce your sugar intake and eat spinach, pumpkin seeds, mackerel, and lentils.

Selenium: Low selenium levels cause abnormalities in hair follicles and hair loss. Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, tuna, and sardines.

Biotin: Several B vitamins are important for hair growth, especially biotin. Swiss chard, brewer's yeast, walnuts, eggs, and sardines contain generous amounts of biotin.

Even massive hair loss isn't necessarily permanent. Once you find and correct the problem, you should start to get your hair back in three to six months.

 

 

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