The Western medical term for hair loss is
"alopecia" and refers to the loss of hair not only in men, but also women and in
children. The loss of hair in men typically begins at the temples, or more frequently, the
crown of the head. This is called "male pattern baldness" and usually occurs in
middle-aged men, though it can also occur in younger men. Women may experience male
pattern baldness as well, though it is more common for women to lose their hair during
pregnancy. This type of hair loss in women is generally temporary, as is the loss of hair
which may occur in thyroid disease or when caused by cancer chemotherapy or other
medications. The hair loss that can occur after menopause may not be temporary and usually involves all areas of the head. A rare form of hair loss occurs when
an autoimmune reaction kills the hair follicle, resulting in permanent and total loss of
hair, often not only on the head but everywhere on the body. Factors that constitute to Hair Loss
Factors that may promote hair loss include poor circulation, acute
illness, surgery, radiation exposure, skin disease, sudden weight loss, high fever, iron
deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, drugs such as those used in chemotherapy, stress,
and a generally poor diet. Alopecia can also be an indication of nutritional imbalances.
Too much vitamin D can cause hair loss as can a deficiency of some of the B vitamins.
How to prevent or slow it down?
Nutritional recommendations for preventing or slowing hair loss
include taking a high-quality multivitamin with adequate amounts of antioxidants. (See our
section on "How to choose a
Vitamin Supplement" for more information.) You may also benefit from additional
vitamin C--some doctors recommend as much as 8 grams a day. Vitamin C at this dosage is
generally safe for most people, though it may cause diarrhea at first or kidney stones in
those who are prone to them. Taking 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin E may also help but vitamin
E should only be taken together with vitamin C. Taking an essential fatty acid supplement
may be helpful in preventing dry, brittle hair shafts that break easily. Other nutritional
tips include:
1.  Eating foods high in biotin. Good sources are brewer's yeast,
brown rice, bulgur, green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
2. Avoid raw eggs. They are high in avidin, a protein that binds biotin and prevents it
from being absorped. Cooked eggs are acceptable.
3. Extremely large doses of Vitamin A (100,000 IU or more daily) over a long period of
time can trigger hair loss, but will reverse once the dose is reduced.
4. Apple cider vinegar and sage tea used as a rinse may help hair to grow.
5. Oral or topical licorice extract may help prevent hair loss, but don't take licorice
extract if you have high blood pressure.
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