zinc Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Are alcohol and hair loss related? It’s a common question with a straightforward answer. In general, it is a myth that alcohol consumption causes your hair to fall out. Nevertheless, excessive alcohol consumption may cause serious long-term harm to the liver, nervous system, heart, stomach, and brain.

But why do so many men and women believe alcohol will cause hair loss? In this article, we address the myth that alcohol makes your hair fall out while exploring other ways drinking may hurt the health of the body.

Addressing the Myth of Alcohol and Hair Loss

Excessive amounts of alcohol is not healthy for the body. However, it is an overstatement to say, “Drinking alcohol causes hair loss.” There are many variables that contribute to thinning, shedding, and balding. Alcohol consumption alone is unlikely to be the reason a man or woman experiences hair loss, especially pattern baldness.

However, there are many ways that alcohol adversely affects the body and thus may contribute to weaker or thinner hair. They include the following:

Dehydration. Alcohol consumption lowers the natural level of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) in the body. Naturally, ADH helps the body regulate hydration. As it tails off, the sensation to urinate develops, and the body starts expelling liquid.

Mineral Depletion. In addition to dehydrating the body, alcohol is known to lower the amount of important minerals in the body. Zinc and biotin are among the two most important to know, since both are important in the growth of naturally healthy hair.

Vitamin Depletion. Alcohol consumption is also linked with a decrease in vitamin levels, specifically C and A. Both vitamins play a key role in keeping the body healthy, so hair health can suffer when these vitamin stores are depleted.

Estrogen Production. Drinking alcohol is known to increase the production of estrogen. In both men and women, increased estrogen production can lead to hormonally-induced hair loss.

Stress. Indirectly, the stress caused by alcoholism, alcohol-induced accidents, and other related events might cause stress-related hair loss known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by the early entrance of hair into the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. During telogen phase, the hair follicle becomes dormant and new hair ceases to grow. Unlike other forms of hair loss, telogen effluvium is often temporary.

Treat Hair Loss at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami

To learn more about personalized hair loss diagnosis and treatment, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami online or call our clinic directly at 305-925-0222.

The nutrients in the foods we eat have a profound impact on the way we look and feel. When it comes to our scalp, there are a variety of nutrients that help to create and maintain healthy hair. These include macro nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are easy to find in the items at the local grocery store, farmer’s market, or vitamin shop. These foods for healthy hair set the stage for natural hair growth by promoting circulation, nutrient delivery, and follicular stimulation. In this article, we focus on the nutrients that fuel healthy hair growth, texture, and thickness. For specific foods, we invite you to reference our Healthy Hair Diet guide. There, you will find the top 5 all-natural foods for healthier hair.

Macro Nutrients for Healthy Hair

Protein. Hair is mostly composed of natural proteins, so it’s of little surprise that the first macro nutrient for healthy hair is lean protein. Eating a diet rich in protein may help to keep your hair looking and feeling its absolute best. Moreover, some sources of protein offer additional nutrients for healthy hair. For example, salmon is a lean protein and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, B-12 vitamins, and iron that help to fortify hair and regulate its growth.

Gluten Free Carbohydrates. Gluten is a protein found in most grains, oats, and barleys. An estimated 1 in 133 Americans has some sort of allergy to gluten that may adversely affect their ability to digest other nutrients. For example, Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the cilia of the small intestine to become agitated and swollen when gluten is digested. This drastically inhibits the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

Going “gluten free” is easy, and some of the most delicious carbohydrates will still be on the menu. Corn, cornmeal, lentils, rice, and potatoes are just a few examples of the best gluten-free carbohydrates that will keep you full without the risk of agitating your digestive system.

Vitamins that Make Hair Grow

Vitamin E. Vitamin E is among the best nutrients for healthy hair. In some studies, this vitamin has been show to promote healthy blood circulation. Improved blood flow means enhanced nutrient delivery, especially to the scalp. In this way, vitamin E can help hair grow by promoting oxygen and nutrient delivery directly to the hair follicle.

Vitamin C. Like vitamin E, vitamin C promotes health circulation and is one of the best nutrients for healthy hair. Moreover, vitamin C is a powerful all-natural antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage. The sun is one of the most powerful sources of free radicals, making our hair particularly prone to free radical damage. Maintaining a diet rich in vitamin C will help ward off free radicals from the sun as well as other environmental stressors, helping to maintain healthy hair long into the future.

Biotin. Biotin is an essential vitamin for healthy hair, but not necessarily because it spurs growth. Instead, biotin helps to keep hair from becoming thin and frail. By improving the overall health of the hair, biotin helps to maintain a regular growth cycle with less risk of thinning, shedding, or loss.

Minerals for Hair

Zinc. Zinc promotes healthy hair by helping the body to balance hormone production and other cellular activities. Zinc also helps the body absorb vitamins, making this nutrient a must for healthy hair. Researchers also believe that zinc may help to curb the production of DHT, a synthesized version of testosterone that damages hair follicles and leads to shedding, thinning, and loss of hair.

Magnesium. Magnesium promotes healthy hair by helping to regulate a number of chemical processes in the body, including heart rate and muscle function. This mineral is critical for healthy hair growth, yet most individuals exhibit magnesium deficiency. To maintain a diet rich in magnesium, look for foods like fish (halibut), cashews, soybeans, almonds, and green vegetables like spinach.

Iron. Low iron levels may put an individual at risk for hair loss, but getting more iron is easy. Among the best sources of iron are whole eggs, liver, dried fruits, salmon, and legumes. Iron supplements are available as well, however one should always opt for natural food sources as they contain nutrients that are more easily ingested and utilized by the body.

Learn More About Hair Loss and Treatment Options

Making changes to diet and exercise regimen may not be enough to restore hair to its natural, youthful state. A number of other factors may impact the rate at which hair becomes thinner, begins to shed, or falls out entirely. Genetics, hormones, and prescription medications may each be causal factors. Readers are invited to visit the following free informational resources to learn more:

Hair Loss

Hair loss affects millions of men and women in the United States alone. Losing one’s hair does more than impact physical appearance. It may have a profound affect on professional, social, and personal relationships. Visit this section of our website to learn more about the cause, progression, and treatment of hair loss.

Hair Restoration

Never before have hair restoration technologies and procedures been more advanced and effective. From low level laser treatment (LLLT) to advanced follicular unit transplantation (FUT), a variety of options exist for effectively restoring the natural appearance of hair. Visit this section of Miamihair.com to learn more.

Hair Loss Evaluation

Are you a candidate for a hair loss procedure? Our clinic is home to the finest technicians, registered nurses, and hair transplant surgeons in Florida. Request an appointment online, or call our clinic directly at 1-877-443-9070.

Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?