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My hair keeps falling out
I'm 22 years-old and have no serious medical conditions except for having an iron deficiency. The problem is that my hair has been falling out for the last four years. I only have to touch it and a handful will come out into my hands. In the shower and whilst brushing, it is so bad that I worry about going bald. My hair has got quite thin. What do you think could be causing this?
Hair loss can be associated with iron deficiency anaemia, a condition that tends to affect hair follicles very badly. Your hair is sensitive to a lack of vitamins, minerals or essential fatty acids because new hair cells are produced at a rate second only to the speed at which new blood cells are made in the bone marrow. This means your hair follicles require a constant supply of nutrients for optimum health.
However, unlike the marrow, hair is a non-essential structure, and your body preferentially diverts precious nutrient stores away from it in times of lack or stress. Take the following steps:
Eat a healthy, balanced diet containing as many unrefined, organic foods as possible. Wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and seeds are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that provide nourishment for hair roots and contribute to a healthy head of hair
Try not to eat erratically or skip meals (especially breakfast), or the supply of nutrients to non-essential tissues such as hair follicles will be reduced. Try to eat a healthy snack, such as fresh or dried fruit, at least every four hours
Hair has a high content of the tough, fibrous protein, keratin, which is made from amino acid building blocks obtained from your diet. Aim to eat a source of protein with every meal, such as poultry, fish, eggs, nuts or beans
Vegetarians are more prone to thinning hair as some important amino acids (lysine) and micronutrients (vitamin B12, iron) may be lacking from their diet
However, unlike the marrow, hair is a non-essential structure, and your body preferentially diverts precious nutrient stores away from it in times of lack or stress. Take the following steps:
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