Natural Support For Hair Loss

Who hasn't had a moment while washing your hair when you think that there is way too much hair that just came out of that head of yours? Some hair loss is normal as we age, but there are natural ways that can help to support the existing hair you have and to prevent future hair loss.

About eighty percent of the population has had some concern about hair loss. This is why the hair loss industry is a 3.5 billion dollar industry. Here are some tips on helping with hair loss issues.

Why is hair loss seen mostly in men and women that are over 35 years old? One of the reasons is that with age, our digestive system, which absorbs our nutrients, loses about 10 percent of its capacity to function with every passing decade. By the time we are 70, we have lost about 40 percent of the digestive capacity we had when we were 30. This is why an 80-year-old person may have thinning hair, brittle nails, and a lack of skin elasticity. The hair, skin and nails are the last areas of the body to get nutrition. The body is more concerned with sending the nutrients it can absorb to the brain and other vital organs and glands. If the body is nutritionally deficient, it is going to sacrifice sending nutrients to the hair, skin, and nails.

Hair loss in women and men can be attributed to genetic factors, thyroid and hormone imbalances, insulin and sugar handling issues, a poor diet, gut imbalance from microbial issues (like fungal overgrowth), and plenty of other possible factors. In men, there is growing evidence that it can be related to insulin sensitivity and sugar handling issues as well as genetics. There is an undeniable association between men who have premature balding and cardiovascular and blood sugar handling issues. In women, there seems to be a relationship between genetics and with hormonal imbalances that can be caused by factors such as toxicity and endocrine disruption.

Here are some tips to help with hair loss:

1- Stop shampooing every day. It depletes the hair and follicle of essential oils that keep the hair healthy. Dump any chemical shampoos. Only use a non-chemical shampoo that has ingredients that will help your hair. Many companies make good quality herbal shampoos. I personally like Invite Health's herbal shampoo. Cut down to washing your hair with shampoo no more than twice per week. You can wet your hair and rinse it every time you shower, but don't use shampoo daily. For someone who is really suffering from hair loss, shampoo only once per week. If you are using hair products, the same applies. Don't use hair products if you can avoid them because they clog the hair follicle. If absolutely necessary, you should switch to products without parabens, phthalates, etc. If it sounds like a chemical - it probably is one.

2- Clean your gut, and balance your body. Since the hair follicles are the lowest priority for nutrients in the body, make sure your gut is healthy and free of microbial imbalance and toxicity. If you have a well performing digestive tract, then the nutrients you take in are more likely to get to the hair follicle. This also relates to inflammation in the body, which is very detrimental to the health of the hair follicle.

3- Dump the sugar and grains. Sugar and grains are detrimental to the hair follicle, period.

4- Eat more of these foods. Walnuts have essential oils to nourish the hair. Bok choy has great nutrients such as iron for hair support. Celery has silica, which is great for hair. Carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin have beta-carotene, which is essential for the hair follicle to make oils. Spinach and collard greens are nutrient-dense foods that support the hair follicle. Blueberries have an amazing amount of antioxidants for your flowing locks.

5- Coconut oil topically. Warm some coconut oil and liberally apply it to your hair. Keep it in your hair for a couple of hours, or even better, sleep with it in and wash it out in the morning. If you do sleep with it in, then use a towel over your pillow. It can get pretty messy.

6- Natural supplementation. Biotin, orthosilicic acid, saw palmetto, high lignan flaxseed complex, beta sitosterols, stinging nettle, zinc, silica, manganese, and paba are some of the many nutrients that help to support the health of the hair follicle.

Each of us has different requirements, so what might work for one person may not necessarily work for another. Muscle testing can determine the best nutrients a person may require, and eliminates the guessing game.

Dr. Louis Granirer is a leading Holistic Chiropractor in NY and Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner specializing in holistic remedies for good health maintenance and prevention of disease. Visit his website at HolisticChiropracticCenter.com to learn more.