Alopecia means loss of hair. It is broadly classified into two types- Non scarring Alopecia (Most prevalent)  and Scarring Alopecia. While non-scarring Alopecia is reversible, it is not possible to reverse scarring Alopecia. The three main types of non-scarring Alopecia are Alopecia areata, Androgenetic alopecia and Telogen effluvium. All the non-scarring Alopecias can be reversed with the help of Functional Nutrition. While the conventional hair loss treatment options focus only on managing symptoms, Alopecia requires diving deeper into the cause. A consultation with a functional nutritionist is a great option to treat Alopecia or any other chronic condition for that matter. Now, you might be wondering if hair loss can be treated with dietary interventions? The answer to this question is yes!! 

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3 Main Types of Alopecia

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Before we get into the hair loss treatment, let us understand Alopecia a little better. In the subsequent sections, we will be understanding three main types of Alopecia- Androgenetic Alopecia, Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium.

Androgenetic Alopecia

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Androgenetic alopecia, also known as hereditary alopecia is caused due to heredity. It is further divided into two types- male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. It is the most common type of hair loss in men and women. Hair fall in male is in different regions such as  at the top, on the sides by their ears, or in the front. Hair loss in females is throughout the entire scalp with very little effect on the frontal hairline.

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Alopecia Areata

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Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause hair loss in different parts of the body. The most common form of Alopecia areata is patchy hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia areata can begin at any age. However, around 80 % of individuals develop the signs before age 40. This condition is more common in females than in males. The root cause of Alopecia areata is inflammation. Moreover, oxidative stress also causes damage to the hair follicles.

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The people that have other autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are more susceptible to Alopecia areata.  In such scenarios, nutritional approach becomes more crucial.  

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Telogen Effluvium

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Telogen effluvium is a non-inflammatory, chronic or acute alopecia. More often than not, it is characterized by acute hair loss.  It generally affects the complete scalp of individuals of all ages. The causes can be psychological stress, hormonal changes, postpartum, malnutrition, infection, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorder or side effects of medications. Hypothyroidism and low protein intake are also some of the major causes of Telogen effluvium. It is important to know that acute Telogen effluvium is self limiting and thus can be corrected if the causative agent is accurately identified and corrected.

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Conventional Treatment

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The conventional hair loss treatments involve drugs that focus only on managing symptoms. The underlying cause remains untreated and thus there are higher chances of relapse. In addition to this, these medicines might have side effects. In many cases, it is required to use these medicines throughout life. This is because hair loss starts again once the drugs are discontinued. The combined result of this is increased reliance on drugs, not to mention the hole it leaves in the pockets of impacted individuals.

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Functional Nutrition: A Sustainable Approach to Alopecia

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A functional nutrition approach is all about focusing on the root cause and not just symptom management. It involves hair loss treatment through nutrition, supplements and lifestyle changes. 

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Research shows that Androgenetic alopecia is associated with higher inflammatory index and lower antioxidant index scores. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition and thus has a deep correlation with inflammation and oxidative stress. Telogen effluvium is triggered by some hormonal changes, stress or nutritional deficiencies, all of which can be tackled with a functional nutrition approach. 

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Dietary Modifications to Treat Alopecia

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Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining hair health. Deficiency of certain nutrients can lead to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. This ultimately leads to poor hair health.  Some of the crucial nutrients to focus on are-

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Antioxidants-  Vitamin A, C and E help to deal with oxidative stress. Some good sources of Vitamin A are organ meats, sweet potatoes and carrots. Amla, guava, red bell pepper, oranges, grapefruit, and citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C. 

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Vitamin D- Low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of Alopecia areata. Rich sources of Vitamin D include mackerel, salmon, tuna and egg yolk. Apart from these, sunlight is also an excellent source of vitamin D. A good supplement can help to deal with hair loss. 

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Biotin (Vitamin B7)-  Biotin plays an important role in maintaining hair and skin health. Organ meat, egg yolk, salmon, tuna, beans, lentils, avocado and walnuts are some foods that should be included in the diet to get adequate Biotin. Supplements are recommended to fulfill the body's requirements.

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Niacin (Vitamin B3)-  Niacin is the other member of the Vitamin B family that is essential for maintaining hair health. Rich sources of Niacin are poultry, tuna, and salmon. Plant based sources of niacin include legumes and brown rice.

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Zinc- Inflammation in our body can be reduced by including zinc rich foods in our diet. As mentioned earlier, Alopecia has a close association with inflammation. Hence, adequate zinc levels are crucial for optimum hair health. Oyster, eggs and seafood are good sources of zinc. A good zinc supplement is recommended for the people struggling with Alopecia.

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Iron- Inadequate levels of iron leads to hair loss. Hair loss is common in women with iron deficiency. Good sources of iron are organ meat, cooked leafy vegetables, moringa and halim seeds.

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Probiotics and Prebiotics- Imbalance in gut or skin microbiome leads to increased inflammation. Balancing gut microbiome can help in correcting Alopecia caused due to autoimmune conditions and inflammation. Some good sources of prebiotics are bananas, apples, cherries, and tomatoes. A2 milk yogurt, coconut water kefir and kimchi are probiotics that can help in restoring the gut microbiome.

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Protein- Hair is primarily made of keratin, a protein. Sufficient intake of protein is essential for optimum keratin production in hair follicles. Chicken, fish, eggs, legumes and pulses are some sources of protein that should be included in diet.

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Hair loss treatment can be challenging but functional nutrition offers a holistic approach that addresses the root causes and supports overall health.Conventional treatment for alopecia increases the reliance on medications which once discontinued may start the problem again. By adopting dietary and lifestyle changes, alopecia and other diseases can be treated in a sustainable way.