You hear a lot about sugar today, particular how much added sugar American’s consume on a daily basis. The more information becomes available, the more it is evident that too much refined sugar (like the kind added into soda, bread, and nearly all processed foods) is detrimental to your health. And given its negative effects on the human body is there any wonder too much sugar may have an impact on hair loss and thinning? Here’s what you need to know.
Healthy Hair
Sugary foods negatively impact your overall diet. Why? In many cases, eating sugar means you’re missing out on healthy nutrients your body needs, the very nutrients your cells need to perform at their best. Eating sugar and other foods with no real nutrients in them can mean a nutritional defiance that keeps your hair from growing and looking its best.
Your hair looks its best and grows healthily when you a nutrient rich diet, with foods that delivery natural doses of zinc, iron, magnesium, antioxidants, omega 3s as well as the B vitamins and Vitamin D. A lack of these nutrients can mean hair that is in poor condition, thinning, and breaking. Dull, fraying locks can mean a lack of Vitamin D and the B vitamins, as well as anemia, which is a result of low levels of iron in the body. Eating a diet rich in these nutrients can promote healthy cells coupled with healthy hair follicles which can produce beautiful, healthy, growing hair.
Hormone Imbalances
Having an excess of sugar in your diet, not only means nutritional deficiencies, but it can also create hormone imbalances which result in poor hair growth. Consuming large amounts of carbohydrates (breads, pasta, candy, etc.) can result in an excess of sugar which the body cannot properly process, thus creating a hormonal imbalance in the bloodstream. The rapid sugar spikes create hormonal overreaction, particularly of steroids and insulin.
Eating a diet lacking in the proper nutrition and filled with added sweets and simple carbohydrates means continual highs and lows in hormonal levels not only of glucose, steroids, and insulin, but also testosterone, adrenaline, and other hormones. Since hormones control all of your body’s functions, hormonal imbalance means your cells can’t function effectively when hormones are not balanced. Excess sugar taxes your body overall, making it difficult to balance your hormones.
These blood sugar spikes and valleys negatively affect your hair’s growth cycle. As a result, there may be damage due to inflammation (caused by excess sugar) to your hair follicles which results in hair thinning and loss. The situation can be remedied with proper nutrition (foods rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber) which can return the body, including the scalp and follicles to health, thus supporting the growth of healthy hair.
Taking Positive Steps
If you are concerned that too much sugar in your diet is negatively affecting your hair, the first step is discussing your health and nutrition with your doctor who can detect deficiency’s with simple blood tests. Your doctor can then make recommendations to change your diet and lifestyle though a nutrient rich diet and exercise, which can help your hair growth over time.
While you make the changes, if your current hair thinning or loss is of concern, the team at Mane Image can help. We understand the importance of a well-balanced, nutritious diet for your health and the health of your hair and scalp. At Mane Image, we have the experience and know-how to determine the cause of your hair loss and guide you to a custom solution. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation, where we will carefully examine your scalp, follicles, and hair, and discuss your diet and lifestyle and help you regain a full, healthy, beautiful head of hair.
