diet Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: diet

November 21, 2016

How Your Diet Encourages Hair Growth

Foods For Healthy Hair Physical characteristics, including hair, is often representative of your internal wellbeing. When you lack the nutrients necessary to keep your body performing properly, certain functions shut down. Patients suffering from temporary hair loss due a stressful event or dietary shift, a condition called telogen effluvium, should reevaluate their nutrition. All hair loss patients looking to stimulate regrowth can lead a healthier lifestyle to boost the effects of alternative restoration methods, such as surgery or low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

If you tend to eat high amounts of empty calories (i.e. junk food) and now notice thinning or shedding, you’re likely missing these key nutrients:

Protein

Proteins and their amino acids are known as the building blocks of the body. Like their effects on muscles, proteins keep hair long, strong and soft. Protein-rich foods include chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy products. Legumes and nuts are viable protein alternatives for individuals on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Try to allocate 30 percent of your caloric intake toward proteins for a well-balanced diet.

Omega-3

Unfortunately, the human body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own. We obtain these solely through food, which makes consuming substances rich in fatty acids essential to overall vigor. For hair health, these oils keep the scalp hydrated to stimulate follicle function while enriching strands for a shinier glow. Foods such as salmon, sardines, trout, avocado and pumpkin seeds are great resources for boosting your omega-3 intake.

Iron

Did you know lacking iron is one of the chief causes of dietary-related hair loss? Anemia, defined by insufficient iron levels in the body, is a serious problem that triggers hair loss. Low iron levels limit proper blood flow – something follicles need to receive growth-stimulating nutrients. Iron is found in red meats, fish, broccoli, kale, chicken and leafy greens.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C acts as a catalyst for iron to absorb into the blood stream. Eating these two hair boosting nutrients together fosters hair growth. In addition, the antioxidants found in Vitamin C, along with its collagen-boosting properties, keep skin, hair and nails looking and feeling nourished. Many refreshing fruits, such as oranges, strawberries and blueberries, contain high levels of Vitamin C necessary for hair growth.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E protects your skin and hair from environmental pollutants and sun damage. You can incorporate vitamin E into your diet by eating more almonds, spinach, avocados, sunflower seeds and butternut squash. Alternatively, you can apply vitamin E oil topically.

Biotin

You’re probably familiar with taking biotin supplements for healthy hair and nails. As a B vitamin, biotin helps strengthen locks to avoid breakage and fall. While supplements can easily up your biotin consumption, try incorporating egg yolks, yeast and whole grains for additional nutritive benefits.

Often, a dietary change isn’t enough to regrow lost locks. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our skilled physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering with hair loss. To schedule a consultation, call us directly at 877-443-9070.

January 21, 2016

Will Vegetarian Diets Cause Hair Loss?

Does following a vegetarian diet cause hair loss? Increasingly, men and women are paying more attention to the foods they put into their bodies. Some are motivated by ethical reasons, while others simply report feeling better after eliminating beef, poultry, and fish from their diet.

Moreover, there’s a growing interest in becoming a weekday vegetarian. Those who ascribe to this new way of minimal meat claim to enjoy all the positives of a vegetarian diet, while reserving the right to indulge in a burger or a filet on the weekends.

But how do vegetarian diets affect your hair? After all, protein is a vital building block for naturally thick hair. And when it comes to foods that naturally support healthy hair growth, red meat and salmon often top the list.

Vegetarian Diets and Hair Loss

Writing for Veganhealth.org, Jack Norris RD explains, “Occassionally, women who become vegetarian or vegan report experiencing hair loss.” This could be due to a variety of reasons, one of which is increased soy.

If you are just starting a vegetarian diet, you will likely begin to consume more soy than prior to making the change. According to new research, increasing the amount of soy in your daily diet may adversely affect thyroid health. As a result, the thyroid may become overactive or underactive. Hair loss is often a side effect of both.

Another common problem with new vegetarians is an over reliance on heavily processed foods. This tends to cause a shortage in daily protein, since most Americans are used to filling that need from animal sources. However, cutting animal protein is not necessarily a bad thing.

“Think of the strongest animals on Earth,” says Michelle Carlson, NASM Elite Trainer. “The gorilla, the hippo, and the rhino…all vegetarians. A vegetarian diet can be fortified with plant based protein powders such as hemp and brown rice, and some vegetarians add eggs and milk to their diets a few times per week.”

Cut Meat. Keep Your Hair.

Are you taking up a vegetarian diet? Stay mindful of thyroid health while keeping a well balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and plant based protein. Follow these hair loss prevention tips, and contact a professional immediately upon noticing signs of excessive hair thinning or shedding.

July 20, 2015

7 Summer Foods for Healthy Hair

Celebrate the summer season by incorporating some all-natural ingredients into your diet. Most people avoid rich and heavy meals during the summer because they don’t provide hydration and tend to promote sluggishness.

During the hot summer, the last thing you desire is bloating or dehydration, especially on the beach. Organic and fresh foods naturally have a lighter, more refreshing taste compared to processed meals.

Consider these seven light, summery snacks that are full of nutrients to keep hair strong and shiny.

Foods That Protect Hair from Summer Sun Damage

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an excellent cooking ingredient, beauty balm, and natural flavoring all in one. Apply topically for beauty purposes, spread on toast, use as a cooking spray, or drizzle onto your favorite popcorn and you’ve eliminated the unhealthy saturated fats otherwise found in butter. Coconut oil can be added to your morning coffee for an extra boost of energy, too. Mix with sea salt to create a facial scrub, shea butter for a heavy moisturizer, or scoop it plain before your shower as a do-it-yourself hair mask!

Blueberries

The USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) named blueberries number one in antioxidants compared to 40 well-known fruits and vegetables. Not only are blueberries great for your hair, they also prevent oxidative stress on the body that potentially leads to aging, heart diseases, and cancer. Try adding some frozen blueberries to your favorite smoothie, or sprinkling fresh berries on top of your low fat Greek yogurt. Why Greek? The extra protein keeps hair strong and full.

Oysters and Fresh Fish

If you’re headed to the coast this summer, order up some fresh oysters. They are full of zinc, which is an essential nutrient for hair cell renewal and repair. Other types of fish, notably salmon, provide high doses of omega-3 fatty acids. Without these healthy fats, hair is susceptible to breakage and dryness. Instead of grilling up your typical burgers and steaks this summer, try grilling salmon on a cedar plank as a lighter, fitter alternative.

Kiwis

As a tropical delicacy, kiwis are deliciously refreshing and sweet. These small, fuzzy fruits are full of vitamin C and antioxidants to keep hair follicles thriving, combat wrinkles, and keep strong bones and teeth. Bonus: antioxidants found in kiwi can help you fight cancerous cells and heart disease.

Watermelon

Although watermelon has high water content, it also manages to pack in a dense nutrient profile. Just one cup holds 17 percent of the daily-recommended Vitamin A and 21 percent of Vitamin C in only 43 calories to help you keep your waistline trim. Vitamin A keeps the scalp from flaking and promotes healthy collagen cells to keep your hair shiny and strong. Other nutrients in watermelon include thiamin, vitamin B-6, magnesium, pantothenic acid, potassium, zinc, selenium, choline, niacin, and riboflavin. Watermelon is 92 percent water, which helps keep you hydrated while snacking. Dehydration leads to brittle, thinning hair, and an overall tired appearance.

Spinach

Prefer a light dinner in the summertime? Instead of iceberg lettuce, use spinach leaves, which are high in iron. Leafy greens like spinach allow red blood cells to carry oxygen to hair follicles and keep the healthy hair growth phases in action. Skip the tortilla strips and use lentils as a crunchy topping instead – they are full of biotin, which is a well known hair health vitamin.

Tomatoes

Rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C, tomatoes defend against skin and hair damages. Try grilling them alongside your salmon. Cooking releases more lycopene than raw tomatoes contain. Even ketchup contains a higher dose of lycopene, but opt for organic, low-sugar versions as toppings at your next barbeque.

In some cases, nutrient deficiency is not the cause for hair loss. When you need to go beyond a healthy diet and undergo more aggressive treatment for hair loss conditions such as male pattern baldness, consider Mosaic™ Hair Restoration. Unique grafting and positioning allows experts at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami to restore your appearance.

Learn More About Hair Restoration in Miami

For more information on hair restoration, contact our office at (877) 443-9070. Alternatively, you can fill out our hair loss evaluation form to understand your personal hair loss and jumpstart your hair growth journey.

March 11, 2015

Noodles Cause Hair Loss Among Japanese Men [Study]

Can instant noodles be causing Japanese men to lose their hair? According to researcher and writer, Ogawa Chieko, that might just be the case. It is thought that a diet of mostly noodles and broth might deprive the body of essential vitamins and nutrients for healthy hair. This type of hair loss is not to be confused with androgenic alopecia, the type of pattern baldness men and women inherit from their mother or father. Instead, this type of thinning or shedding is more similar to the temporary hair loss known to result from poor dietary choices, heightened levels of stress, or even heavy alcohol consumption.

Can Noodles Make You Bald?

If you are experiencing shedding or balding, it is not likely to be the result of an all-noodle diet.

Confusing Correlation with Causation

The Japanese study described above is a good example of how correlation is often mistaken for causation. In other words, one variable (x) is mistakenly thought to cause a specific outcome (y). So, while diet does have an affect on hair health, it is impossible to say that diet alone is responsible for hair loss. Other factors can play a causal role in shedding and balding, like genetics, daily stress, and fluctuations in hormonal balance.

To illustrate, consider that Japan ranks 60th in a recent Bloomberg assessment of the world’s most stressful countries (i). With this context, it becomes easier to see how one cannot attribute hair loss among Japanese men exclusively to a noodle-rich diet. Take a closer look at each individual, and personal details like genes and family medical history make it even more difficult to prove the “noodles cause hair loss” argument.

Eating for Healthy Hair

Nevertheless, the Japanese study offers a wakeup call to men and women who are not taking care of their bodies. Everyone should be proactive in eating a well-rounded diet, and not just for healthy hair. An overwhelming amount of research offers nearly irrefutable evidence that a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, healthy fats, colorful vegetables, and various fruits can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

Never make any changes to diet or exercise regimen without first consulting with a physician. To learn more about nutrition and hair loss, visit these articles on the Miami Hair Blog:

Foods for Healthier Hair. From salmon to chickpeas and lentils, this article explores the most delicious all-natural foods proven to help grow fuller, stronger hair.

Macro Nutrients for Healthy Hair. Protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This article provides a more general overview of the “building blocks” of naturally strong hair.

Vitamin D and Hair Loss. Can ample amounts of vitamin D help to prevent hair loss? Visit this article to learn more about the study that has researchers saying vitamin D is “crucial for the regeneration of hair.”

Hair Loss Consultation Miami

At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we understand that hair loss is much more than a physical medical condition. Hair loss can have a profoundly negative impact on social and professional life, causing immense levels of stress, anxiety, and even depression. We hold every patient’s pursuit of a fuller, natural head of hair in the highest regard, and we invite you to learn more about Miami’s most advanced hair loss treatment center.

For more information, contact us online or call our clinic directly at 877-443-9070.

Sources

(i) http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/best-and-worst//most-stressed-out-countries

October 14, 2014

2014’s Top Tips for Healthier Hair

Can you take a big leap toward a healthier head of hair in just 3 easy steps? The following tips have been compiled as a guide to nourish and protect hair, without requiring significant lifestyle changes. Tip 1 is all about power foods, specific food items that are packed with the nutrients and antioxidants needed to sustain healthy hair growth. Tip 2 takes nutrition a step further, suggesting that supplements and medications be taken to treat specific deficiencies that might reduce hair’s natural thickness and vitality. Tip 3 talks about protection, offering a little piece of hair care advice you might never have stopped to consider.

Healthier Hair in 3 Easy Steps

1. Eat more super foods

It’s hard to exclude super foods from any health related list or article. There’s a reason everyone talks about the power of nutrient-dense whole foods, however. They are your body’s best source of essential vitamins and minerals, two essentials that nourish the body from the inside, out. Take an honest look at your daily diet, and look for opportunities to eat more of the following super foods for healthy hair:

Read meat
Blueberries
Almonds
Oysters
Milk
Eggs
Salmon
Brazil Nuts
Kale
Goji berries
Protein (whey supplements are effective and convenient)

2. Supplement and medicate, when needed

Next, test your vitamin, mineral, and hormonal levels to determine if an existing deficiency is harming your overall health (mind, body, and hair). Specific things to keep in mind include:

Thyroid health: Imbalance can often cause hair loss
DHT: High levels of DHT are associated with pattern baldness
Iron: Prevents breakage, commonly a deficiency among women
Vitamin D & Fish Oil: Difficult to get these nutrients in an ordinary diet, so consider supplementing with daily soft gels.

Always consult a physician prior to starting or stopping a prescription medication regimen, or before making any changes to diet or lifestyle.

3. Style with silicone

Finally, consider investing in a hair care product that features silicone—or a silicone byproduct— as an ingredient. Silicone coats the hair, creating a protective layer that keeps it strong throughout the day. Silicone products are particularly beneficial in preventing traction alopecia, a specific type of hair loss that might result from hairstyles that are wound tight. “Look for silicone or dimethicone,” says Roopal Kundu, MD, in an interview with the Huffington Post. “You can also try a leave-in conditioner, which also coats the hair.”

Hair Loss Evaluation and Treatment

Millions of men and women suffer with hair loss each day. Today, you do not have to be one of them. Learn more about hair loss treatments at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. Contact us online or call our clinic directly at 305-925-0222.

September 25, 2014

Stop Losing Hair

Hair loss is no laughing matter. In fact, losing hair is known to adversely affect personal, social, and professional life. Hair is one of the first things another person will notice about you, so it’s normal to feel uncomfortable with the idea of losing it.

Stop losing hair. If you are one of the millions of men and women around the world who suffer with hair loss, good news awaits: There are ways to make it stop. Some are non-surgical and are as easy as taking a pill or applying a topical foam each day. Others are more invasive, leveraging advanced surgical technologies and techniques to gently extract and transplant individual hairs (follicular units) from one area of the scalp to another.

Ways to Stop Hair Loss

There are many ways to stop losing hair. Everyone is different, and it’s important to remember that the best way to prevent long term hair loss is to consult a physician. Only a licensed hair loss professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend an effective treatment plan. In addition to scheduling a hair loss evaluation, men and women who want to stop losing hair are wise to consider the following factors:

1. Nutrition

The body needs a variety of important vitamins and minerals to thrive each day. Along with skin, hair is one of the first parts of the body to show the effects of water, vitamin, and mineral deficiency. To stop and prevent hair loss, be sure to maintain a well-rounded diet rich in protein, biotin, vitamin E, vitamin A, and other important nutrients.

Visit our Foods for Healthy Hair and Healthy Hair Diet articles to learn more.

2. Stress

Stress is known to “shock” the hair follicles into a dormant state (i). Typically, this occurs after a serious event that generates a significant amount of mental or physical stress. Car accidents, surgeries, divorce, and loss of loved ones are just a few examples of situations that might trigger bouts of hair loss. Stay proactive in managing stress to stop hair loss and prevent other mental/physical ailments.

3. Medications

There are a number of prescription medications that may cause hair loss. However, *it is important to always consult a physician prior to changing your medication regimen. If you suspect a medication is causing you to lose hair, speak with your physician to explore alternative medications.

4. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances are also known to cause permanent or temporary hair loss. Pregnancy and thyroid disease are just two examples of conditions that cause hormonal imbalances that may lead to hair loss.

Visit our article on Hair Loss and Pregnancy to learn more.

Professional Hair Loss Evaluation

Stop losing hair, today. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our surgeons and medical staff represent the very best of South Florida. Call our office today to for more information on hair loss evaluations and treatment recommendations designed to put a stop to hair loss.

Learn if your are a candidate for hair transplant online, or call our office at 305-925-0222.

Sources:

(i) “Effluviums.” American Hair Loss Association.

October 22, 2012

6 Ways to Prevent Female Hair Loss & Telogen Effluvium

Last week, the Miami Hair Blog explored the differences in Female Pattern Hair Loss vs. Telogen Effluvium. With 1 in 4 females suffering with signs of hair loss, an important question arises:

Can hair loss be prevented?

Though the causal factors and symptoms may differ, there are a number of preventative measures that can be taken to avert Female Pattern Hair Loss as well as Telogen Effluvium. And while these measures are effective for some, the following list is not a cure-all for every woman who suffers with hair loss. Care must be taken to examine the top signs of hair loss in women regularly, as early detection is critical in effectively restoring areas of thinning / balding hair.

Preventing Female Pattern Hair Loss & Telogen Effluvium

1. Stress Management

Stress has been shown in a number of studies to trigger the onset of hair loss, particularly Telogen Effluvium, and may even worsen symptoms over time. To hedge against stress-induced hair loss, it is recommended that women practice daily stress management. Light exercise, journaling, yoga, and meditation are just a few examples of effective stress management techniques.

2. Commit to Nutritional Wellness

Like the rest of the body, hair needs a comprehensive assortment of nutrients to grow to its full potential. Follow the Healthy Hair Diet to give your hair a fighting chance at healthy, sustainable growth.

3. Rule Out Prescription Medications

A number of prescription medications may cause hair loss. Speak with your physician about the side effects of your current medications. If documented side effects include hair loss, you may wish to speak with your physician about alternative treatments.

4. Schedule a Hair Loss Evaluation and Consultation

If you suspect you are losing your hair, one of the worst things you can do is to worry. Worrying only increases stress, and increases in stress may exacerbate the problem. Instead, seek a professional evaluation and diagnosis so you may better understand the nature of your unique condition. Schedule a hair loss evaluation to speak with a professional regarding the health and vitality of your hair, and form realistic expectations regarding treatment.

5. Consider Low Level Laser Therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a popular treatment option among women because it is convenient, non-invasive, and discrete. Devices like the LaserCap™ LLLT device are designed to naturally stimulate hair growth by enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery directly to hair follicles.

6. Advanced FUE Hair Transplant

Follicular unit transplant (FUE) procedures are another viable option for women who suffer with Female Pattern Hair Loss or Telogen Effluvium. FUE procedures harvest healthy hair follicles from the rear or side of the scalp and relocate them to the areas in which hair loss is most visible.

The Hair Transplant Institute of Miami is proud to offer the ARTAS® System for hair restoration, the world’s first and only physician-guided robotics equipment designed to perform FUE procedures with unmatched precision, consistency, and accuracy. To learn more about this exciting treatment option, readers are invited to visit this Frequently Asked Questions About ARTAS guide.