Why are men balding early
Men are balding as early as in their 20s, compared to our fathers’ generation who would start balding in their 40s.
Premature balding is happening because of the way we live now rather than because of genes or bad luck.
The four enemies that lead to premature balding are: stress, vices (bad habits), poor nutrition and pollution, according to Swedish hair specialist Dr Fred Zuli and Italian scientist Dr Falvio Ferrari.
Dr Ferrari says it is important to learn to manage stress, adding that ‘While genetics plays a key role in balding, a stressful lifestyle can play havoc. Simple lifestyle changes such as, getting seven hours of sleep, having a glass of water every hour (strands are made up of minerals, which only water can replenish) and eating protein-rich foods at regular intervals can bring about an 80 per cent change.’
Apart from stress, proper nutrition is important too as hair grows at the rate of almost half an inch a month.
Nutrition
Since hair is made up of a protein called keratin, it is logical to include protein in your diet. If protein is less in your diet, it forces the body to save the available protein for other purposes, like rebuilding cells, thus depriving hair of it. Foods such as spinach, almonds, walnuts, paneer, tofu and milk are good for the hair. So it green tea; it is effective because it blocks out Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes hair loss.
The following foods are good for hair health:
- orange, bananas
- fish, tuna, chicken, egg yolk
- green leafy vegetable including spinach, broccoli, legumes, soya beans
- wheat, milk, cheese
- almonds, walnut, cashew nut
- oats, fortified cereals
- green tea
Stress
Stress is not a man’s prerogative any more. Women are also losing more hair than they did in the past, because of a stressful lifestyle. Stress is driving woman’s bodies to produce more androgens (male hormones), thereby upping the secretion of the hair loss-causing chemical DHT, says Ferrari. Excessive styling and coloring of the hair is also to be avoided to prevent hair loss. ‘Heat and chemicals weaken the hair, leading to easy breakage,’ adds Dr Zuli.
Hair follicle needs energy to grow. The energy is produced in the cell mitochondria (or energy factory) in the presence of Coenzyme Q10. Stress causes oxidation, harming Coenzyme Q10 thereby accelerating hair fall. Coenzyme Q10 is found in whole grains, fish and meat.
Smoking & Alcohol
Carbon monoxide that is produced during smoking produces prevents the blood from transporting oxygen and key nutrients to hair follicles. The blood vessels constrict due to nicotine in the smoke further reducing new hair growth.
Alcohol takes away the iron from the body and hinders zinc absorption; both being important for hair health. Excessive alcohol intake also causes dehydration thus stopping the body from absorbing vital nutrients. Hair is almost 25% water; excessive alcohol due to its dehydrating effect makes it brittle. Alcohol should be had in moderation if hair loss is your worry.
