Understanding Hair Loss - Digging Deeper into Causes and Solutions

When my hair started falling out, I felt frightened, wondering if it would ever stop and what it might mean if I lost it all. I worried not only about my appearance but about how this would affect how I felt about myself and how I showed up in the world. The thought of hair loss also made me question if something more serious was happening with my health—if there was an underlying issue I couldn’t see but was somehow manifesting in this way.

Hair loss is a deeply personal experience that can impact us physically, emotionally, and mentally. For many, it’s not just about losing hair—it feels like losing a part of our identity or confidence. That’s why understanding why hair loss happens and how to address it is so important.

In functional medicine, we take a holistic approach, looking beyond symptoms to uncover the underlying causes of hair loss. Here are some of the key factors that may contribute to hair loss, along with ways to investigate and address these issues.

🌱 The Reasons for Hair loss

1. Hormonal Imbalance
   Changes in hormones, like those during menopause, pregnancy, or with thyroid issues, can significantly impact hair health. Elevated cortisol (the stress hormone) and low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) are also common triggers for hair thinning and shedding.  We can test your full thyroid function, antibodies, your sex hormones and adrenals to find out what is out of balance.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies
   Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in healthy hair growth. Low levels of iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin are often linked to hair loss. The GP can check vitamin D easily or you can do an at home test.  There are other functional tests that can look at nutrient levels.
3. Chronic Stress
   High-stress levels can disrupt hair growth cycles, often leading to hair shedding (telogen effluvium). Chronic stress can also trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions that cause hair loss, such as alopecia areata.
4. Gut Health Issues
   Your gut health can impact nutrient absorption, immune response, and even hormone levels, which all play roles in hair health. Conditions like leaky gut, dysbiosis, or inflammation in the digestive tract can indirectly lead to hair loss by affecting nutrient absorption and stress response.
5. Toxic Exposure
   Environmental toxins, including heavy metals and endocrine disruptors, can interfere with hormone regulation and stress the body, leading to hair loss. We can do toxin testing, including mould toxins and heavy metals.

Key Nutrients and Their Benefits

1. Biotin (Vitamin B7)
   Supports: Keratin production, which is a protein that makes up the structure of hair.
   Foods: Eggs, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and sweet potatoes.
2. Vitamin D
   Supports: Follicle health; low vitamin D levels are linked to hair loss.
   Foods: Salmon, mushrooms, fortified milk, and exposure to sunlight.
3. Iron
   Supports: Oxygen delivery to hair follicles; iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss, particularly in women.
   Foods: Red meat, spinach, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and quinoa.
4. Vitamin E
   Supports: Scalp health and protection from oxidative stress, which can damage hair follicles.
   Foods: Almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados, and spinach.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
   Supports: Hydration and nourishment of hair, reduces inflammation in the scalp, and can help prevent hair dryness.
   Foods: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
6. Zinc
   Supports: Hair tissue growth and repair; zinc deficiency can lead to hair thinning.
   Foods: Oysters, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, and cashews.
7. Vitamin C
   Supports: Collagen production and iron absorption, both essential for strong, healthy hair.
   Foods: Oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.
8. Protein
   Supports: The structural foundation of hair, as hair is made of keratin (a type of protein).
   Foods: Eggs, lean meats, tofu, lentils, and Greek yogurt.
9. Vitamin A
   Supports: Sebum production, which moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthy.
   Foods: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale.
10. Magnesium
    Supports: Reduction of stress and inflammation, which can affect hair growth negatively.
    Foods: Pumpkin seeds, spinach, black beans, and bananas

Rosemary and Peppermint Hair Growth Tonic

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for pH balance and shine)
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil (stimulates hair follicles and supports circulation)
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil (promotes blood flow to the scalp)
• 5 drops lavender essential oil (calming and supports scalp health)
• 1 drop tea tree oil (optional, for antifungal properties)
• 1 spray bottle (8 oz or larger)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Base: Boil the distilled water, then let it cool slightly.
2. Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Pour the distilled water into the spray bottle and add the apple cider vinegar if desired. This helps restore the scalp’s pH balance and can add shine to your hair.
3. Add Essential Oils: Carefully add rosemary, peppermint, and lavender essential oils. If using tea tree oil, add just one drop (it’s potent).
4. Shake Well: Secure the spray bottle lid and shake well to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Usage:

• Shake well before each use.
• Spray directly onto your scalp, focusing on areas where you’re experiencing hair thinning.
• Gently massage the tonic into your scalp with your fingertips for 2-3 minutes to stimulate circulation.
• Use this tonic 2-3 times a week, either before bed or in the morning, and leave it in (no need to rinse out).