But if you’re adopting a planned diet that involves cutting out certain foods, or even  a detox plan that requires you to forgo most foods for a set period of time, you should first be aware of the nutrients your hair needs to stay healthy and strong.

Could a fad diet be a risk to your hair?

Because hair is constantly growing and refreshing itself, it requires a steady stream of nutrients, to act as building blocks and to facilitate the actual process of hair growth. If you reduce your dietary intake of certain foods, you may cut off your hair’s supply of these vital nutrients. Over time, this can lead to hair which is brittle and prone to breakage, or may even result in hair loss.

The nutrients that the body needs to fulfil functions such as hair growth can be divided into vitamins and nutrients. As a general rule, a healthy balanced diet which contains lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and other sources of protein should provide all the nutrients your hair needs to stay healthy. But here is a rough guide to the some of the specific nutrients needed for healthy hair, and the foods in which contain them.

Nutrients required for good hair health

Vitamin A – Essential for growth and functioning of cells, such as hair follicles. Common sources include eggs, milk, carrots and potatoes.

Vitamin B6, B12 – Required to keep haemoglobin levels in the blood at normal levels. Haemoglobin is important for hair growth as it carries oxygen in the blood   to where it is needed. Common sources include fish, milk, cheese, eggs, poultry and cereals.

Folic Acid (B9) – another crucial nutrient for red blood cell production. Found in beans, leafy vegetables, rice and cereals.

Iron- Low levels of Iron in the body have been linked to hair loss and poor hair health. Iron is also involved in haemoglobin production. Good sources for hair health include red meat and some fish.

Vitamin C – Needed for collagen production, a vital substance in the body which keeps tissues healthy and supple.

While not a comprehensive list, this should demonstrate the negative effect that crash diets or a lengthy detox can have on the hair.

Eat smart for healthy hair

When the body detects that it is running short of certain nutrients, it will do whatever it can to keep vital processes running and maintain the internal organs. In order to do this, it may redirect resources from less crucial parts of the body… such as the hair. This is why your hair may suffer the most if you deprive your body of certain food groups.

If you’ve suffered hair loss which you think may be related to your diet, The Belgravia Centre can help. We have effective pharmaceutical treatments which can help to re-grow hair, and our own Hair Vitalics nutritional supplement which contains many of the vitamins and minerals needed for optimal hair health. View our large collection of regularly updated hair loss success stories to see the levels of regrowth that so many men and women see.

To find out more, contact us for a consultation or fill in our online diagnostic form for a convenient home treatment course which can be sent anywhere in the world.

Interesting articles

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Renee Zellweger at Risk of Hair Loss?

Kayla Martell has been in the news in America a lot recently, and was this month nominated as one of news network CNN’s ‘Breakthrough Women’. Since winning the Miss Delaware beauty pageant in June of this year, Ms. Martell has used her position and new found fame to highlight the issue of alopecia and female hair loss.

Beauty queen shuns wig to highlight Alopecia Areata

At the age of 10, the beauty queen began losing her hair due to Alopecia Areata, a form of hair loss which is thought to be caused by a defect in the human immune system, and by the age of 18 she had lost virtually all her hair and began wearing a wig.

But this did not deter her from competing in the Miss Delaware Pageant five times, twice without a wig.  In her most recent pageant Ms. Martell wore a blonde wig, which it seems was a hit with the judges. But since winning the pageant she has shed the wig once more for interviews and public appearances, to raise awareness of Alopecia and the people it affects.

In January 2011 she will compete in the Miss America competition against fellow beauty queens from throughout the United States, and a victory would make her the first ever bald Miss America.

Speaking to Fox News, the 22 year old said, “I hope to show people that beauty comes in all different kinds of packages. No beauty queen should fit into a box and look like a Barbie every time they wake up and none of us do, as you know. So I hope to show people that you are beautiful and whatever makes you different, you should embrace it.”

Alopecia Areata: Causes and Treatments

The precise causes of Alopecia Areata remain unknown, but it has been hypothesised that it is the result of the individual’s own immune system attacking healthy hair follicles. It often affects children and young adults, and according to NHS statistics it is present in roughly one percent of the population. In some cases it can develop into other forms of Alopecia, such as Alopecia Totalis, in which all hair is lost from the scalp, and Alopecia Universalis, the complete loss of all head and body hair.

It is possible to treat Alopecia Areata, but this is only usually effective if caught early and before extensive hair loss has taken place.

The Belgravia Centre’s treatment for the condition utilises a number of formulas and techniques to promote hair re-growth. A concentration of 12.5% Minoxidil with Azelaic Acid, exclusive to Belgravia, is used to increase blood flow to the scalp, open up potassium channels. This is then combined with other hair growth boosters such as ‘Hair Vitalics’, Belgravia’s daily herbal supplement, and clinical treatments to maximise hair regrowth. Most Belgravia treatment programmes also include a free LaserComb which utilises up to date laser technology to further promote healthy hair regrowth. Contact us for a free consultation or complete an online diagnosis form.

Many are unaware that they are doing it at the time, and are often unable to control or stop the habit without professional help. Due to the highly noticeable nature of bald spots and on the scalp and bare eyelashes, many sufferers feel embarrassed and may even avoid social contact for fear of humiliation. Furthermore, long-term regular bouts of hair-pulling can result in permanent follicle damage that is irreversible.

Yet trichotillomania is still not widely understood by GP’s and psychologists, the general attitude by GPs to their patients tends to be insensitive, expecting sufferers to be able to stop on their own. This blunt approach usually does nothing to help the patient’s condition, or their self confidence, and reveals a general ignorance in the medical profession. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a technique that can help trichotillomania, but the NHS is generally against recommending such treatments. CBT is a psychological therapeutic technique used to change behaviour and engrained emotional disorders.

Treatments for Trichotillomania

A range of treatments for trichotillomania are available, including medication in the form of anti-depressants and psychological treatment, but none are effectively medically proven to work.

As well as tackling the root psychological and behavioural causes of Trichotillomania, it is necessary to take steps to reverse the damage already done and restore the affected areas of hair to normal health. Even after the condition has ceased, bald spots and uneven patches of hair can remain. However it is important to note that until the habit itself is cured, conventional hair loss treatments will be of little use. This would be akin to throwing wood onto a fire in an attempt to put it out.

There are various techniques used that can help to kick the habit of trichotillomania. For more information please visit our trichotillomania page.

Each individual will have an idea of their usual hair loss rate and it is when this rate suddenly increases, with hair becoming noticeably thinner and sparser, that other causes of hair loss should be examined. If you are starting to worry about the loss of your hair, then there a few simple steps you can take to get the help you need.

The first thing to do is to seek advice from a professional; this will help you discover the potential causes of your hair loss, which is the first step to treatment. If you are male, then before your initial consultation, take a look at your family tree. Male Pattern Baldness is genetic, so if you have a strong history of baldness in the family this may be the underlying cause.

Other causes can include hormone imbalance due to medication, pregnancy or menopause in women, or stressful and shocking situations. You should have full details on all these areas to enable your consultant to prescribe the right sort of hair loss treatment for you. The more informed your consultant is, the more they can help you.

Depending on your situation, there are a variety of treatments available. For Male Pattern Baldness, a treatment programme based around the primary treatments, Propecia and Minoxidil with various hair growth boosters and close monitoring is usually recommended and has proved highly effective in the majority of cases. As such, minoxidil and Propecia are the only two hair loss drugs licensed by the MHRA in the UK, and its US counterpart, the FDA. Propecia is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which prevents hair loss by blocking the production of DHT, the hormone responsible for Male Pattern Baldness. Minoxidil complements this by helping essential nutrients and increased blood flow reach the follicles, stabilising hair loss and encouraging growth. Although Propecia is not suitable for women, female hair loss sufferers can greatly benefit from a course of Minoxidil.

There are a number of other things you can try at home to help increase the chances of stabilising hair loss  and/or re-growth. These include adapting your diet to include more protein and potassium rich foods, as both these nutrients help hair stay strong and glossy. It can also help to take a herbal supplement, specially designed for those suffering from hair loss, to ensure the right nutrients are being taken on board. The Belgravia Clinic’s herbal supplement, Hair Vitalics, contains Saw Palmetto, a naturally occurring ingredient which can act as a booster to hair growth in complement to a combined course of Propecia and Minoxidil.

So if you are worried about hair loss, don’t suffer in silence. The most important step is to seek professional advice by arranging a free consultation or completing an online diagnostic form as soon as concerns arise to begin addressing your hair loss as soon as possible.

Don’t scrimp on sleep: Like the rest of our bodies, hair needs sleep as it is during this period that it recovers from the stresses of the day and concentrates on growing. Good quality sleep, for a period of eight hours a night, can help improve the strength and condition of your locks.

Eat for your hair: There are certain foods that prevent hair loss. A diet rich in protein and potassium will ensure your hair receives all the essential nutrients it requires. Protein helps strengthen Keratin, while potassium is an essential element in preventing hair loss, as it regulates your hair’s PH balance and acts as a conditioner, helping the hair to stay healthy and strong from the root.

Take your supplements: If you are eating on the go, or just want to give your hair an extra boost then vitamin supplements are an excellent way of helping your hair receive its essential nutrients. Supplements such as Belgravia’s Hair Vitalics, a daily herbal pill, can help keep your hair at its healthiest when taken regularly.

Be careful with hair extensions: Wearing hair extensions over a long period of time, or even just use of extensions of poor quality, can cause damage to you natural hair. In severe cases this can cause hair loss, as demonstrated recently by Naomi Campbell. If you are having extensions applied, then ensure they are done by a qualified hairdresser and made of good quality hair.

Practice massage: It is thought that scalp massage can stimulate blood flow in the area, easing the path of nutrients to hair follicles, and it’s a perfect excuse to pamper yourself!

Look after your body: Using and abusing drugs, whether in cigarettes, alcohol or illegal substances can all aggravate hair loss, whether through dehydration or the prevention of key nutrients reaching the hair.

Reduce friction: If you often wear your hair up, or in tight styles such as cornrows or braids, then try to give your locks a day off if possible. Constantly wearing your hair in styles which are pulled tight creates a high level of traction and friction on the hair, which can lead to a hair loss condition called Traction Alopecia.

Avoid chemicals: Be careful of any treatment which chemically affects your hair, whether dyeing, straightening or perming. Continuous application of these treatments can have an adverse effect on your hair as the chemicals used in them cause damage in the long-term.

Stay calm: In many cases hair loss can be triggered or aggravated by stress. Techniques such as meditation and yoga can help reduce stress related hair loss.

Medication: If you are seriously worried about hair loss, seek professional advice. In many cases, hair loss can be stabilised, if not reduced, through a combination course of two treatments, Propecia and Minoxidil, plus varous hair growth boosters suited to the individual hair loss sufferer.

If you’re worried about hair loss, book a free consultation with us as soon as possible or simply fill out an online diagnostic form.

Following a series of personal traumas, TV presenter Gail Porter developed Alopecia Universalis, a severe form of hair loss, in 2005. Just four weeks after noticing clumps of hair beginning to fall out, Porter found herself completely bald, and lost her eyebrows and eyelashes; a difficult situation for anyone, let alone a known beauty who was famous for having her full length picture projected across the Houses of Parliament.

Porter used her condition to raise awareness of female hair loss, refusing to wear a hat or wig and maintaining her public profile. She also worked with several charities (including the Little Princess Trust) which help sufferers of hair loss from childhood onwards. Her hair began to re-grow around late 2009, and she now has around 80% hair growth on her scalp, which is styled into a cute crop.

Porter was nominated for a bravery award for her work promoting awareness of Alopecia and female hair loss, but refused saying ‘“I’m not being ungrateful, but I’ve not got cancer, I’ve not saved anyone’s life. My hair’s fallen out. I’ve just gone out without a hat on. It’s no big deal.”

Tennis legend Andre Agassi had a much harder time dealing with hair loss, at one stage, wearing a disintegrating wig in a Grand Slam final to hide his condition. The star, famous in his early years for a luscious mullet hairstyle, developed male pattern baldness in his early 20s, a condition possibly aggravated by his admitted drug use throughout those years.

In his recent auto-biography ‘Open’ he describes how losing his hair affected him saying “Every morning I would get up and find another piece of my identity on the pillow, in the wash basin, down the plughole.”  Following his defeat in his first Grand Slam final at the French Open in 1990, which he partly attributed to fear that his damaged wig would fall off on court, Agassi’s then-wife Brooke Shields suggested he shave his head, which he did three days later.

Agassi has gone on record stating that he did look into ways of retaining his hair, but surgery was not suitable, and the French Open defeat had highlighted the risks of living with a hairpiece.

The effective hair loss treatments available today were not yet discovered at that time, otherwise hair loss may not have been a problem for Agassi. Proven treatments are now available that, if used correctly and combined with the optimum hair growth boosters and close monitoring, will result in hair regrowth for the majority of users. To get a better idea you can view hundreds of ‘hair loss success stories‘ to see the kind of results that so many people experience.

Agassi went on to become the only male player of the modern era to win a career super slam, taking all four open titles, the Olympic gold and World Championships in one year, but unfortunately one thing he couldn’t win back was his hair.

The treatment, popular with celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, de-frizzes hair making it easier to straighten and minimising the need for blow drying or styling over the 12 week period that follows treatment. To achieve this ‘wash and wear’ hair, a treatment of up to 90 minutes is necessary, where hair is washed, treated with the Brazilian Blowout solution and then flat-ironed. The treatment is only available in salons.

However, following a series of complaints from users of Brazilian Blowout, with symptoms including runny nose, burning eyes, and hair loss; Health Canada launched a full investigation into the reputedly formaldehyde-free product. Following a series of laboratory tests, which appeared to show exceptionally high formaldehyde levels, they issued a full warning on 7th October.

This was quickly followed by the Oregon Health and Science University’s Centre for Research on Occupational and Environment Toxicology’s (Oregon OSHA) release the following day recommending all stylists administering the treatment wear protective clothing and ensure clients are fully informed about the risks.

The news attracted the eye of Kimberley Ryley, a hair-stylist who frequently applies Brazilian Blowout to clients’ hair, and has a history of ill-effects following each treatment. Upon hearing the news, she launched a class action lawsuit against the company which has since received emails from over 200 stylists and product users who wish to be included in the suit.

It’s quite a blow for the ‘formaldehyde-free’ product; although it is unclear whether the potentially toxic levels of formaldehyde are permanently present in the solution or created when heat is applied, through straightening or blow drying. As both of these steps are necessary to use the product, if either claim is found to be true, Brazilian Blowout could also find itself facing a lawsuit for international deceit.

Brazilian Blowout’s response so far has been vehement denial. When the news first broke, they suggested that Health Canada had perhaps mislabelled a chemical present in the solution as the hair-loss culprit formaldehyde. They have also commissioned an air monitoring study in a typical salon environment. This took place on 9th October and appeared to show safe levels of formaldehyde in the atmosphere when treatments were performed. A press statement of the results followed soon afterwards. Interestingly, the company does not deny formaldehyde is created during use, only that the levels emitted are not toxic.

This debate looks to be ongoing for a while, and will require extensive research on both sides of the case to prove or disprove the potential dangers of the treatment. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if our favourite poker-locked stars start sporting a curlier look to avoid the threat of hair loss.

‘First Cut: Girls on the Pull’ is available to view online on Channel 4′s on demand service at http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od

Trichotillomania affects up to 3% of people suffering from hair loss, and is ten times more common in women. It frequently starts around the onset of puberty, although it can affect any age group. Individuals will tug, twist or pull out their hair unconsciously or habitually, and stress, boredom or anxiety can act as triggers. Many will also chew or eat the hair, a condition known as trichophagia, and this can lead to digestive problems.

It is thought that hair pulling may come from a desire to exert control over one area of life. Hypnotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy may help sufferers to learn how to interrupt the impulse and thereby overcome the condition.

Some people find that stimulants such as sugar, alcohol and caffeine increase the urge to hair pull, and reducing intake of these can make the physical urge more manageable. There is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that the amino acid NAC (N-acetylcysteine), which occurs naturally in foods such as chicken, eggs and broccoli, may help alleviate the condition, although more research is needed.

There is some evidence to suggest that there may be a genetic component to trichotillomania, as research has discovered that it is often found in families where members have other impulse control disorders such as OCD, addictions or Tourette’s syndrome.

People living with trichotillomania may choose to combine therapy with hair restoration treatment, to improve the appearance and boost self-confidence. If the hair follicles are still functional it is possible to promote regrowth, using clinically proven medications. At the Belgravia Centre we also find non-surgical hair replacement to be a very successful treatment for the condition, as it not only covers up the appearance of any bald patches but stops the sufferer from picking at the area, which can help to get the habit under control.

If you have any concerns about trichotillomania, or any other hair loss condition, we recommend you discuss it with one of our experienced specialists, who can assess your condition and recommend a suitable treatment programme. To book a free consultation, call 020 7730 6666 or send us a message with any enquiry you might have. Alternatively, if you can’t get to the London centre, you can complete the online diagnostic form and an advisor will be happy to contact you to discuss treatment options.

“Both of the advisors I met with were very professional and helpful”

“I found both Vaida and Pam very helpful.  They did not just try to sell me the most expensive products, which one of your “competitors” had tried to do!  They were very honest and fair and Pam particularly had very good customer relation skills.  There was no pressure to puchase any products which was pleasing.  I haven’t yet bought anything but would expect to do so soon.”

“Edyta was very nice. She explained everything and made me feel much better about my worries. She was very imformative and caring. Pam was also lovely. She answered all my questions and made me feel very happy that I chose to come to the centre. Everybody at the centre were very welcoming. I’m glad I chose Belgravia, and will keep coming back for my treatment. Thank you for being so nice and helpful. I was so worried before but now I’m looking forward to the results I’ll hopefully see in the future.”

“I can confirm that my initial consultation with Vaida was friendly and informative as was the follow up with Gayzen who efficiently explained one or two of my concerns. It was a welcome change not to be pressurised there and then to sign up for treatment and Gayzen understood that as a pensioner I needed to discuss the financial aspect with my husband.  I subsequently telephoned her the next day of my decision and have since made an appointment to start my treatment today.”

“The examination with Loida was very informative and she explained concisely as to what condition I have and how it can be treated. She told me exactly how the treatment works and made me feel comfortable while carrying out her examination and answering any questions I had. Cherie was nice and friendly and outlined the course of treatment and the relative costs leaving me with very few questions to ask. It was good to talk to her as she was very helpful and and reassuring. Overall service was really good.”

“I was pleased with the service and I am hopeful with the proposed treatments. Loida Cadiogan was very professional and knowledgable about her subject, and I enjoyed talking with her. Cherie Ridding was also very professional and took me through the ordering process so that I was happy with what I have paid for. Cherie added in a check up consultation into the package and I look forward to coming back in 6 months to see if there is any progress.”