Unraveling Hair Loss: Causes and Solutions

Hi Friends, 👋

Are you concerned about hair loss? Do you notice more strands in your hairbrush or feel like your hair is thinning? 

Rest assured, it’s perfectly normal to shed 50-100 hairs each day as part of your natural hair cycle. However, if you’re experiencing more significant shedding or changes in the thickness of your hair, it could be a sign of something happening inside your body that needs attention. 

To help guide you through this, I’ve created a comprehensive video on Hair Loss. Be sure to check it out! Below is a summary of the most common causes and some practical solutions.

1) Stress:  Stress, whether from illness such as the flu or COVID, or from chronic lifestyle factors, can trigger “telogen effluvium,” a condition where more hairs enter the resting phase and fall out. The good news is that hair typically regrows once the stress is managed. 

2) Low Iron Stores: Many women suffer from low iron stores (ferritin) due to monthly menstruation. Optimizing your ferritin levels to around 100 ng/mL may help combat hair loss. I recommend ferrous bisglycinate combined with Vitamin C to boost absorption. Watch my video on Iron Deficiency Anemia for more tips on iron-rich foods! 

3) Thyroid Imbalance: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can contribute to hair loss. That’s why I always recommend a full thyroid panel to optimize your hormone levels. To learn more about the thyroid, please watch my video on Hypothyroidism. 

4) Insufficient Protein: Getting enough protein is crucial for hair health. Aim for at least 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, try to consume 75 grams of protein each day. Collagen with Hyaluronic Acid can also help support healthy hair growth. Please check out my Collagen Latte recipe below for a delicious way to incorporate this on a daily basis. 

5) Low Stomach Acid: Did you know stomach acid is essential for protein digestion and absorption? Low stomach acid, often due to H. pylori infection, hypothyroidism, or other causes, can lead to hair loss. Supplementing with Digestive Enzyme Pro or Betaine and Pepsin can help restore proper digestion and improve hair health. 

6) Hormonal Shifts: Hair loss often accompanies hormonal shifts during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause. Women with irregular periods or who are not ovulating regularly may also experience hair thinning. 

7) Autoimmune Conditions: If your hair loss appears in circular patches, we should consider alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition. Other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s, Lupus, or Rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause diffuse hair loss due to systemic inflammation and nutrient malabsorption. 

8) Inflammation: A diet high in processed foods and sugars, also known as the Standard American Diet, can lead to gut inflammation and Leaky Gut. This can lead to systemic inflammation, which in turn affects hair growth. Adopting a whole foods, nutrient-rich diet can help reduce inflammation and restore healthy hair. 

9) High Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): In both men and women, testosterone can be converted into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone linked to hair loss, especially in the temples and crown (often called “male pattern baldness”). If lab results show elevated DHT, supplements containing saw palmetto like Prostate Support can block this conversion naturally. 

10) Chemical Reactions: If you frequently dye your hair or are exposed to chemicals like chlorine in your water, your scalp may become irritated or inflamed. Consider using a chlorine filter for your shower or a house-wide water filtration system to protect your hair and scalp.