5 Simple Ways to Naturally Combat Hair Loss
Hair loss is something most men and women encounter at some point in their lives. Seeing your locks of hair fall out can be distressing, but there are definitely several simple and effective ways that you can naturally combat hair loss and restore lustrous and beautiful hair.
1. Check in on protein and iron.
Eating adequate protein is most important when it comes to healthy, shiny and strong hair (and skin and nails!). Protein is one of they key nutrients required for hair growth as hair strands are predominantly composed of protein. If your diet is low on protein, consider boosting it with plant-based protein such as tempeh, whole-grains, legumes, nuts/seeds or supplementing with a hemp or pea-protein to ensure you are consuming all essential amino acids required to produce gorgeous hair.
Iron is also a very important nutrient required for hair follicle growth. With over 30% of the population anaemic (according to the World Health Organisation), If you are experiencing heavy menstrual periods or you are on a vegan or vegetarian diet, consider boosting your intake of iron rich foods (spirulina, lentils, spinach are all good options), or supplementing with a highly bio-available form of iron to ensure ensure your hair, skin and nails have all the nutrients they need for healthy growth.
2. Sensational silica.
Silica is a vital mineral when it comes to hair, skin and nail growth. Not only is it required for collagen production, it acts like the "glue" by sitting inside collagen, providing resilience, flexibility and strength in connective tissue. It also helps to create bonds between protein molecules, which are responsible for the skin’s natural ability to retain water, critical for repair and cell renewal.
Silica also acts to transport many nutrients to the periphery of the body, including the hair, skin and nails, and therefore ensures that hair follicles have all the nutrients needed for healthy growth. If you are deficient in silica, it is likely that your hair, skin and nails may be showing the signs with hair loss, loss of skin firmness and reduced skin elasticity.
Edible Beauty Beauty Dew, is a naturopathic elixir with a highly bio-available form of silica, designed to address the factors that contribute to hair loss.
3. Hormone balance
Hormone imbalance can be one of the main reasons why both men and women experience hair loss or thinning hair. When it comes to addressing hormonal imbalances herbal remedies and nutrients can be incredibly effective.
Actrisave, used in the Edible Beauty Beauty Dew, contains Black Rice and Prickly Pear extracts which act from the inside to combat imbalances linked to hair loss. The well-known antioxidant effect of anthocyanins contained in Black Rice, used in combination with the hormonal balancing effect of cactus flower flavonoids, produces a synergistic protective effect in hair follicles to combat hair loss. Silica can also be an important mineral, assisting in balancing calcium and magnesium which can in turn promote hormone balance.
Saw palmetto is one of my favourite herbs for hair loss. Studies show that saw palmetto may help block the activity of 5-alpha reductase (5α-R), an enzyme that converts testosterone into a hormone linked to hair loss called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Omit hair spray is a topical treatment that contains saw palmetto and burdock root to support the growth of healthy hair. The bonus of this treatment is that it contains natural hair thickeners make your hair look fuller and increase style manageability.
4. Massage Magic.
Topically massaging the scalp with essential oils can help to combat hair loss. Cedarwood essential oil along with lavender and rosemary have been thought to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss by balancing the oil-producing glands in the scalp. The best way to apply essential oils to the scalp is to apply a few drops of each essential oil to about 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba, massage well into the hair and wait for about 20 minutes before washing your hair.
5. Whole body check in.
Sometimes hair loss can be linked to a more serious deficiency or condition. If you are feeling stressed, your body may be depleted of key nutrients required to support your collagen production. Taking the time to address your stress levels will be more helpful than searching for the solution to your hair loss. If you are feeling that your hair loss is unexplained I highly recommend checking in with your medical practitioner as it may be the sign of a more serious deficiency or condition.
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Anna Mitsios
Anna is a certified naturopath and nutritionist and founder of leading Australian natural skincare and wellness company, Edible Beauty Australia. Anna has been featured in various publications including Mind Body Green, Women’s Health and Allure. She is committed to the natural transformation of her client’s skin using proven botanicals, nutrients and herbal formulations, both on the inside and out.
Anna’s career began in the corporate sector, where she specialised in corporate finance and private banking for over ten years working in Sydney and New York for a large Australian bank. Anna’s career change was sparked by her own health journey, following a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at 18 years of age. Her diagnosis triggered her intense study of botanicals and nutrition to manage auto-immune condition and assist others in attaining optimal health. Anna’s naturopathy career has included working as a naturopath within a reputable natural fertility clinic in Sydney, within a pharmacy and health food store and running her own naturopathy practice.
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