Diet Tips to Prevent Hair Loss

Thinning hair and baldness can affect men and women of all ages, but is especially prevalent in men who are 40 years of age or older.
Today's innovative hair loss treatments can help spur regrowth of hair and stop hair loss in its tracks, and hair transplants can help recreate a full head of hair within a few months of treatment.
Still, there are ways to prevent hair loss from occurring in the first place; eating the right foods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may be a valuable solution for reducing the risk of hair loss and enjoying your youthful looks for the years ahead.
Here are just a few of the top foods to can help prevent hair loss:
#1: Oats
Eating a hearty bowl of oatmeal each morning could be just what you need to speed up hair growth and improve your looks. Oats contain high levels of iron, magnesium and potassium, and can also keep your diet in great shape.
#2: Salmon
Salmon and other fish that contain high levels of Omega-3s play an important role in cell and metabolic functioning. Salmon is especially beneficial for strengthening existing hair, and keeping the scalp healthy. Consider adding two to three servings of salmon to your weekly menu.
#3: Soy milk
Soy milk is a valuable source of protein, and plays a vital role in hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin helps transport oxygen to the cells, muscles and tissues, and is essential for cell and muscle repair. Drinking soy milk with breakfast is a simple way to add this valuable food to your diet.
#4: Citrus Fruits
Oranges, grapefruit and lemons contain high levels of Vitamin C which helps maintain healthy skin and hair. Eating foods that contain a significant amount of Vitamin C, or taking a Vitamin C supplement, can help to keep the scalp and hair follicle in great shape.
#5: Brown Rice
Brown rice is a healthy whole grain that contains Biotin, an essential mineral that may reduce your risk of hair loss and graying hair. Brown rice is also a good source of fiber, and can keep your digestive tract in good order.
#6: Turkey
Turkey is a valuable source of Vitamin B3, or Niacin, and these minerals promote healthy blood circulation. Making sure the scalp and hair follicles receive enough oxygen is essential for healthy hair growth, so increasing circulation can help with this process.
#7: Whole Wheat Products
Silica is an essential nutrient found in whole wheat products, and is especially valuable in the diet because it can absorb other vitamins and minerals. Whole wheat products also promote healthy digestion, so this can also promote a balanced diet.
According to holisticonline.com, excessive Vitamin A in the diet can contribute to hair loss, and certain foods should be avoided if you are experiencing balding or thinning hair. Fatty foods, sugary foods and drinks, and processed food with excessive amounts of salt can all contribute to poor health - and increase your risk of hair loss and other health problems. Essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in everyday food could be the keys of prevention for hair loss.
Consider adding these key foods into your diet to maintain a healthy head of hair and keep your scalp as healthy as possible.

Natural Ways To Prevent Hair Loss

Many of us (up to 40% of the population) will suffer from some degree of hair loss in our lifetimes. Although genetics has a large role in the problem (did your mother's father have a good head of hair?), there are many other causes that hasten the process. Diet, mineral deficiencies, environmental pollution, stress, even wearing helmets can cause early and profound hair loss! Knowing is half the battle, so read on for some simple tips to minimize bald spots and receding hairlines.
The first question to answer is: do YOU have accelerated hair loss? Accelerated hair loss is a condition where you are losing hair faster than you should, and should get evaluated by your doctor for thyroid issues, other hormonal disturbances, or GI malabsorption. Try the "tug test". Take a small amount of hair in your between your thumb and index fingers (about 20 hairs) and pull slow and firm. If you have more than 6 hairs in your hand, you may have a problem with accelerated hair loss and should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor.
The most common reason for hair loss is genetic. This is called androgenic alopecia, which most of us refer to as male or female pattern baldness. Although it is impossible to completely halt nature's genetic forces, there are steps you can take to slow the process for years. A hair loss solution doesn't have to be expensive. Here are some simple tips to keep it healthy and where it belongs--on your head!
1. Keep chemicals off your hair. Dye can be a major chemical irritant to your hair follicle. Limit hair dying to once every 8 weeks to keep your scalp healthy.
2. Heat weakens your hair and makes it brittle. Minimizing the use of hair dryers, hot curlers, and straighteners will help keep your hair from losing its protein composition.
3. Avoid constant pull on your hair. "Traction alopecia" is caused by excessively tight hairstyles or using hair rollers. Minimizing the amount of pull will maximize the time your hair stays anchored to your scalp.
4. Don't brush your hair while wet. Hair brushes cause "breakage" which can permanently damage hair. This occurs with more frequency when your hair is wet.
5. Wash regularly with a gentle shampoo to keep your scalp clean and to avoid scalp infection.
6. Decrease stress in your life, increase your exercise, and get enough sleep. Having an unhealthy lifestyle can cause accelerated hair loss, so take care of your body to have a healthy scalp.
7. Modify your diet to include "hair healthy" vitamins and minerals: iron, vitamin C, Zinc and Omega 3 fatty acids all have a role in preventing hair loss. Load up on these minerals in your diet or with supplements.
8. Avoid foods that can accelerate hair loss. These include soda and raw egg whites.
Recent medical advances have resulted in the development of two "breakthrough medications" that can help if the above techniques fail. These non surgical hair transplant treatments include Minoxidil and Finesteride. Minoxidil stops hair loss, while Finesteride can actually help grow new hair in almost 50% of men that take it.
If it is too late and you have lost most of your hair, then you can consider Transplant Surgery, which can be done either by removing a strip of hair and re-implanting it or FUE transplantation which is a transplant one follicular unit at a time (which leaves no scar). This treatment is done under local anesthesia and works almost 99% of the time.
Luckily, we live in an age where medical and surgical restoration treatments are available. But if you reduce your stress level, eat right and take care of you hair, you may be able to postpone or stop hair loss indefinitely avoiding potential medication side effects and the knife!