Keep your hair on - watch how you diet

Few people realize that hair loss in women can be a direct result of dieting.

The problem, of course, is not the fact that you go on a diet but the kind of diet you go on. Many weight loss diets are deficient in essential nutrients.

Although diet related hair loss is often related specifically to iron deficiency, a range of nutrient deficiencies can result in thinning hair.

Hair loss can be triggered by changes in levels of the following essential nutrients:

zinc

magnesium

proteins

essential fatty acids

vitamins D, B and A.

As the major followers of weight loss diets - women are more likely to suffer from hair loss or thinning hair caused by poor diet. On the plus side - they are also more likely to notice the problem and seek help.

The fact that so many different nutrients can be the culprit in hair loss means that any diet that focuses on one class of food at the expense of another - carbs vs proteins, fats vs sugars and so on - could potentially cause hair loss.

Diets low in protein and iron, such as vegetarian diets and very low fat diets, often result in deficiencies. But high protein diets like Atkins that initially discourage fruits and vegetables can also trigger hair loss. Rapid weight loss in itself is a stress on the body and can also trigger metabolism changes that affect hair growth and result in thinning weakened hair and substantial hair loss.

For hair health and to avoid hair loss, experts agree that the best weight loss plans are reduced calorie diets that promote gradual weight loss with a boost of healthy foods from all of the food groups.

The good news is that hair loss caused by poor diet is one of the easiest types of hair loss to treat. Following a nutrient rich diet with additional healthy hair nutrients like zinc, essential fatty acids and vitamins B and A, plus sufficient exposure to the sun to produce vitamin D on a daily basis should treat diet related hair loss efficiently.

The result for most women - the hair loss episode is reversed and you should regain a full head of healthy hair in a matter of 3-6 months.