Weight Loss & Hair Loss

If you are one of those people that seek to lose weight, there is something that you need to be made aware of. Rapid weight loss over the course of several weeks or months can lead to hair loss. Any type of crash dieting or eating disorder can cause you to lose some of your hair for as long as your weight continues to drop.

Significance

Weight loss and hair loss are significant because they can cause you to not only have an unhealthy appearance, but your body may be in distress internally too. When you eat or drink, your body is provided with many of the vitamins and nutrients that you need in order to function. If you are losing weight quickly, your body will naturally have a deficit and that can result in your hair loss over an extended period of time, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Effects

If you happen to be overweight, then losing weight is a good thing to do. However, losing weight in an unhealthy way can lead to your hair thinning out, among several other things. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, the best way to lose weight is slowly, roughly two pounds a week. This will give your body time to adjust to a healthier lifestyle and will help mitigate any hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies.

The Facts

Hair loss due to quick weight loss is reversible. Once your body gets back into sync with what it needs in terms of vitamins and nutrients, your hair will begin to grow back naturally. Eating disorders can also result in hair loss, for both men and women, because you are either eliminating or blocking what your body needs in order to be healthy. If fad diets, crash diets, and/or eating disorders are active in your life, be careful because it can lead to your hair loss.

Considerations

Now it is important to know that if you happen to lose a considerable amount of weight quickly or you decide to go on a strict diet, you very well may not lose any of your hair. The main link between hair loss and weight loss is that it comes down to the nutrients and vitamins in your body, so as long as you keep yourself healthy, you should not have any problems with your hair.

Prevention/Solution

Before beginning a fitness regimen to lose weight, it is important to consult with a doctor about your weight loss goals. They may have tips to help you move along at a safe and healthy speed. WebMD recommends that you take a vitamin supplement everyday when you are trying to lose weight in order to replenish the nutrients that you may lose. Doctors also recommend keeping a healthy diet full of all the essential daily needs.