What happens with loss of each hair? Hair loss may be natural process and hair regrowth is possible; but it is an indication of larger devastation. For some it could be personal loss or loss of self esteem. Hair loss often first step to baldness or medically known as alopecia. Depending on the cause, it rarely poses any substantial medical threat, but due to its effects on appearance, it can have a major effect on the psychological well-being of a person. Research has shown that people suffering from baldness statistically have a higher risk of depression, stress and feel more social pressure.

Cause of hair loss can be varied. Some can be genetic, biological or environmental in origin. Remedies for hair loss shall depend on its origin. Some causes of hair loss are listed below:

Hair loss is natural due to aging
Heredity is mostly common cause, especially in men
Post partum hair loss is natural in women
Hair loss is indication of increased stress levels
Stress in surgery results in hair loss
Stress of hair loss and subsequent treatment often causes more hair loss
X-rays or Radiation exposure results damaged hair
Drugs used in chemotherapy, antidepressants, etc. causes excessive skin hair loss
Even exposure to chemicals is bad for hair – swimming pools, bleach, dye, etc
Scalp injuries, burns or Skin disease damages scalp and hair
Acute illness, high fever or severe infections leads to death of skin root cells
Hair loss is seen in diabetes
Hormonal imbalance can lead to hair loss
Thyroid disease causes hormonal imbalance and hence hair loss
Weight loss leads to loss of nutrients and hence hair
Poor blood circulation leads to loss of hair
Poor diet, iron deficiency and vitamin deficiencies causes hair loss

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What is excessive daily hair loss?

People usually have between 100,000 and 150,000 strands of hair on their head. The number of strands normally lost in a day varies person to person and day to day. People on average lose about 100 strands daily and this hair loss is considered normal. (At this rate it takes 3 years to lose all your hair J). However lost hair is replaced by new hair and is often replaced at the same rate. The first signs of hair thinning and falling out that people will often notice are more hairs than usual left in the hairbrush after brushing or in the basin after shampooing.

Natural food for hair loss

How to prevent hair loss with a healthy diet? Like any other body part, nutrition is required for cell processes and growth. Hair health and growth is very much linked to body nutrient. Nutrient deficiencies, malnutrition and stress are some of the main reasons for hair loss. In contrast to genetic and pathological causes, hair loss resulting from malnutrition and stress can be stopped and reversed. Studies have shown that poor and unbalanced nutrition, limited food intake and low food diversity, as well as deficiencies in certain nutrients can cause thinning. That is why Nutrition is very important in hair health and preventing hair loss. We have discussed here some nutrients absolutely essential for prevention of hair loss.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – for hair dryness

Hair requires various fatty acids for their growth. Omega fatty acids are essential nutrients to not just only your brain and nerves, they play a major role in the health and well-being of your hair and skin as well. It reaches into the follicles and feeds them, thereby promoting the healthy oily layer on your hair, which prevents the dryness of the hair and scalp, which in turn helps preserve a full set of hair for as long as possible. It also promotes the elasticity of your hair, thereby preventing splitting and rupturing of the hair, adding to a full hair volume. The body does not naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids, so they must be a part of a normal healthy diet to promote hair health and prevent hair loss. Some of the main sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, tuna, kale, Brussels sprouts, rapeseed oil.

Zinc – stimulating hair growth

Zinc is an inorganic metal ion, so it must be ingested into the body via food or drink. It has many functions, one of which is promoting cellular repair and restoration, which helps repair damaged follicles. Another important role of zinc is in hormonal regulation, and as we know hair loss is very often a consequence of hormonal disbalance. It also promotes the production of the oil glands on your scalp, playing a role in maintaining a healthy layer of fat that protects the scalp and hair from drying out and falling out. However, since it plays a role in regulating testosterone, it can also have a negative effect on hair loss if taken in excess. About 11mg of zinc is all you need in a day for a healthy set of hair. That is just about what you’d get from a healthy and balanced diet. Foods that contain greater amounts of zinc are Chickpeas, wheat germ, oysters, beef, veal liver, roast beef.

Amino-acids – building blocks

Amino-acids are the building blocks of proteins, and protein is what the hair is basically made of. They are essential to any healthy diet and important for a healthy hair and preventing baldness. It is important to cover the entire spectra of essential amino-acids, so you should get your protein from multiple sources with a wider variety. Meat and plant sources are equally viable, as long as there is diversity. Natural sources of protein work best, supplements should be avoided if there is no real need for them. Natural sources of protein are abundant and easily integrate into your normal nutrition. Foods rich in protein are lean meat, poultry, cheese (especially cottage cheese and ricotta), yogurt, beans, peas, lentils, tofu, seitan.

Iron – for a healthy circulation

Research has shown a correlation between hair loss and anemia, and with a good reason. The scalp is a thinly stretches peace of skin, far from the rest of the body, and needs a lot of circulation. A healthy circulation maintains the follicles alive and well, and is essential to preventing hair loss. Oxygen in the blood is transferred via hemoglobin, and an integral part of the hemoglobin protein is iron. Iron should be a part of every healthy diet, since it directly affects how healthy a person’s blood is. Natural sources of iron are dark leafy greens, whole grains, beans, red meat, turkey, egg yolks, clams, mussels, oysters.

Vitamin C – stimulating hair growth

Vitamin C is important in several ways for a healthy set of hair. Firstly, it stimulates the production of sebum, the oily substance that coats the hair and scalp and protects it from dryness. Secondly, it is involved in the synthesis of collagen, the protein which is an integral part of hair, and contributes to the elasticity of hair. Thirdly, vitamin C boosts the oxygen transferring ability of iron, and helps maintain a healthy circulation. Fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy sources of vitamin C in a normal diet.

Magnesium – preventing hair loss

Magnesium is one of the most abundant metals in the body and is involved in hundreds of very important reactions. One of them is hair-growth. Furthermore, a lack of magnesium can cause a body wide inflammatory reaction, and that can easily cause hair-loss. Foods rich in magnesium are almonds, spinach, cashews, lentils, brown rice, halibut, bananas…

Vitamin A – Balanced for a healthy hair

Vitamin A, or retinol, is integral to the processes of hair growth, as it serves as an initiator of the growth process within follicles. However, too much of it can cause hair loss, as researchers have noted. It is desirable to maintain a healthy amount of it, and not go over the daily limit. For both women and men it is around 3000 micrograms, which is about the amount gained from a normal nutrition. Some sources for vitamin A are carrots, liver, spinach, dandelion greens, cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, tomato

Antioxidant foods – oxidation of hairs

Our food is natural source of antioxidant which protects our skin and hairs from action of free radicals which results in cell damage. Apart from antioxidant properties of vitamins and minerals, our food contains various other phytochemicals which have antioxidant properties. These antioxidant food consumed or applied topically have benefits for your hair and prevent hair loss.

Biotin – Hair strength

Biotin is part of Vitamin B complex, also sometimes termed as Vitamin H or coenzyme R, is required for health of hair and scalp. Deficiency of biotin is prime cause of hair loss. It also prevents hair dryness and increases elasticity of hair cortex. Biotin is also essential for absorption of various other minerals which are required for your hair growth. Cereals and nuts are some dietary sources of biotin which makes them natural food for hair loss.

51 Natural Remedies for Hair loss

Laughter: Laughter is one of the best remedy for hair loss, it increases circulatory system to hair roots and reduces stress. Try out Laugher therapy or laughter yoga to prevent your hair loss.
Physical Exercise – Regular exercise is good not only for your body but also for your hair.
Avoid Excessive hair coloring or hair processing – It should be understood that any commercial treatment of hair leaves your hair damaged in long run. Avoid over using such cosmetic products.
Number of washes – Excessive washing of hair leaves them at loss of essential oils and nutrients. Make sure you replenish hair nutrient loss by applying coconut oil or amla oil regularly after washing.
Acupuncture – Acupuncture can work for you in preventing hair loss by activating nerve pathways.
Rosemary – Mix few drops of rosemary oil with coconut oil and massage your scalp. You can alternately apply few drops in your shampoo. It stimulates blood circulation to your scalp. You can also add one part rosemary oil with two parts almond oil and massage scalp for twenty minutes a day for healthy hair.
Onion and garlic – Sulphur in onion and garlic is traditional medicine for hair growth. Rub onion juice or garlic juice to your hair, leave it overnight and wash in morning. Continue this once weekly for 3 months.
Heena – Henna or Mehandi is long used in strengthening and dyeing hair. Soak Heena in green tea, add some lemon juice. Apply this to your hair, leave it for 2 hours and wash it off. Do this once a month for hair growth and preventing hair loss.
Milk Cream – Apply coconut oil and milk cream to your hair as natural homemade conditioner.
Coconut Milk – Massage your hair with Coconut milk to treat your dry scalp and prevent hair loss.
Eggs – Eggs are good for hair as they provide necessary nutrients. Apply eggs to your hair regularly.
Green Tea – Green tea is powerful antioxidant. You can wash your hair with brewed green tea or green tea extract to prevent hair loss.
Meditation: Mediate daily to reduce your stress, tension and restore hormonal balance. You would find meditation helpful in prevention of hair loss.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera juice or aloe vera gel can be directly applied to scalp to stop hair loss. It helps balance pH of scalp.
Neem: Boil neem leaves in water until the water level falls to half its initial quantity and then cool it. Rinse out your hair with the mixture once a week to prevent hair loss and disease free scalp.
Amla oil: Amla hair oil has been long believed to make hair long and dark. It is widely used in India mainly by women. Learn how to make amla oil at home and other benefits of amla oil for hair.
Amla, Reetha and Shikakai herbal sampoo: Mix one tablespoon of Amla, Reetha and Shikakai each in water. Allow this to boil till volume reduces to half. You can use this as herbal shampoo regularly to prevent hair loss.
Honey and lemon: Honey along with lemon applied to your scalp can prevent dandruff and thus hairloss.
Sleep: Who doesn’t like sleeping. Sleep well and prevent hair loss. Lack of sleep often results in loss of hair. Read more about healing power of sleep.
Licorice: Licorice contains a chemical that prevents testosterone from being changed to dihydrotestosterone. Just add some licorice tincture or extract to your shampoo as remedy for hair loss.
Sage: Sage extract can also be added to your shampoo for herbal effect. Washing hair with sage tea also works wonders for hair.
Arnica: It is part of homeopathic medicine for treatment of hairloss. Arnica can be applied in form of oil or cream.
Wheatgrass: Wheatgrass juice is powerful antioxidant and effective remedy for hair loss. Consume wheatgrass juice regularly.
Fenugreek: This is home remedy for hair loss. Just fry fenugreek seeds in coconut oil for some time, strain and apply this coconut oil to hair and hair follicle to prevent hair loss.
Coriander leaves: Apply coriander leaves paste to your hair helps prevent hair loss and promote healthy scalp.
Curd – Apply curd along with some gram powder as binder to your hair. Lead it for an hour before bathing. Try this once a week to prevent hair loss.
Honey and Olive Oil: Mixture of equal proportion of honey and olive oil can be applied to hair for smooth hair and healthy scalp.
Salt – Add some salt to your hair shampoo. This can be tried fortnightly for preventing hair loss. Salt is believed to stimulate hair follicle and promote hair growth.
Carrot Juice – Equal proportion of carrot juice along with coconut milk can be applied to hair for preventing hair loss.
Almond oil – Use Almond oil to massage your scalp. It supplies scalp with nutrients and prevents hair loss.
Coffee – Caffeine is believed to increase blood circulation. Apply coffee water to bald area to promote hair growth.
Black Pepper Seed – Make paste of black pepper seed and lemon juice, apply this to bald area to stop hair loss. Pepper can also be applied with curd to your scalp.
Potato mask – 3 mashed boiled potatoes along with egg yolk and honey makes a great hair mask for preventing hair loss.
Curry leaves – Boil curry leaves along with coconut oil till it is reduced to blackended residue. Massage hair and scalp with this oil. It is good tonic for your hair and prevents hair loss.
Steam – Steam you hair occasionally. It helps stimulate your hair roots and prevent hair loss.
Sea buckthorn oil – It is nourishing for your hair and scalp. It has been traditionally used in making horse hair glitter. Betulinic acid present in Seabuckthorn helps in hair growth, treat dandruff and prevent hair loss.
Protect your hair from sun heat. Use hat or scarf while going out.
Rooibos tea – It promotes hair growth, prevents loss / damage of hair and makes skin shiny. To enjoy benefits of rooibos for hair, you may rinse clean your hair with strong rooibos tea. If left for longer time, it offers reddish shade to your lighter hair.
Nopaleas – Gel obtained from prikly pear pads or Nopaleas can be applied to your hair for hair growth.
Amaranth oil– It has been long used as home remedy for prevention of graying of hair. Application of fresh amaranth leaves paste or juice prevents hair loss and supports their pigmentation.
Sweet potato – Try making some sweet potato mask with egg, honey, yoghurt, lemon or olive oil for your hair. This works great for dry and rough hair. It provides scalp with vitamin A.
Burdock root oil – When applied regularly to scalp and hair can nourish your scalp and prevent hair loss.
Pumpkin seeds – It contains Omega 6 fatty acid and zinc which helps prevent hair loss. Pumpkin seeds also help prevent hair loss associated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone in male.
Wheatgerm – Zinc is required for growth of hair. One cup of wheat germ is sufficient to meet daily dietary requirement of Zinc.
Mulberries – Massaging mulberry juice on your scalp can help prevent premature graying of hair by triggering the production of melanin.
Basil – Holy basil prevents scalp infections including dandruff, psoriasis. Tulsi oil – made from heating tulsi leaves powder in coconut oil – is good for scalp, helps blood circulation and relieves scalp itching. Tulsi powder mixed with lemon juice can prevent dandruff. Hair gel made from mixing Tulsi and neem powder in hibiscus gel can prevent hair loss.
Lotus root – Washing hair with lotus root powder is believed to help growth of hair and stop hair loss and graying.
Alfalfa Juice – Regular consumption of Alfalfa juice along with carrot, beet and lettuce helps detoxify body and helps growth of hair.
Moringa Seed oil – Moringa seed oil has antioxidant properties which protects hair from poolution and environmental damage. Added with conditioning effect on scalp, it stimulates hair growth.
Carob – Rich in Vitamin E, they are good for hair. Add them to your diet to prevent hair loss.
Crude honey – Honey is wonderful home remedy for dandruff, associated hair loss and its recurrence. In recent study, around 30 patients applied crude honey daily to scalp and left for 3 hours before washing with warm water. Within 4 weeks of treatment, scaling was reduced, itching skin was relieved and skin lesions were healed completely. If applied weekly, it prevents relapse