If you're just starting your weight reduction journey, you might be concerned about unexpected side effects like hair loss. If you're already well into this trip, you may have seen some hair thinning. In any case, it's critical to discover the facts concerning the link between weight loss and hair loss and rule out other possible reasons.

Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active tissues in the body. Hair development can be hampered if you restrict your caloric and/or protein consumption, or if you are deficient in micronutrients. These connections are complicated, so if you're experiencing hair loss, your food might be the culprit, but so could other reasons.

To fuel your hair follicles, your body needs a certain amount of calories and protein. Some experts believe that the more weight you lose, the more probable it is that you may have some degree of hair loss.

Protein insufficiency can have an influence on your skin, hair, and nails because they are mostly made up of protein. Protein is required for hair development, thus a lack of good protein in your diet might result in damaged hair strands that are difficult to regrow.

Iron insufficiency: Iron deficiency, which is the most prevalent dietary deficit in the world, is a well-known cause of hair loss. It is uncertain what level of insufficiency causes hair loss, and research has been equivocal. Menstrual blood loss, malabsorption (e.g. celiac disease), and a vegan or vegetarian diet are all risk factors.

Zinc deficiency: This key component is necessary for the health of your skin and hair, as well as other important bodily processes. Although this form of deficiency is very rare, risk factors include age, gastrointestinal disease, anorexia, malabsorption, chronic liver or renal disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, cancer, alcoholism, and a vegetarian diet.

Vitamin D deficiency: Because vitamin D encourages the formation of new hair follicles, researchers believe a lack might result in hair loss or thinning. The best indications point to a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder characterized by patchy hair loss.

Hair loss as a result of weight reduction is a transitory symptom that happens when a person loses weight by following a strict diet. Hair loss with weight reduction is usually caused by vitamin inadequacies, as well as the additional impacts that quick and abrupt weight loss can have on your body. The cause might be stress on the body or nutrient deficits. Proper nutrition is essential for the development of healthy hair shafts and the stimulation of hair growth. Hair loss may be worsened by diets poor in iron and zinc. Fatty acids, selenium, and vitamin D are among other nutrients that may influence hair development.

Hair loss as a result of losing weight is neither hazardous nor permanent. Within a few months, the body adapts and hair production returns. A rigorous weight loss regimen’s nutritional deficit might be harmful. Reducing the quantity of iron in the diet, for example, can result in iron deficiency anemia, which has a number of major health consequences.

PNFP Jezer Z. Calingacion, RND

References:
https://www.lindora.com/faq/what-causes-hair-loss-during-dieting//
https://www.lindora.com/faq/what-causes-hair-loss-during-dieting/#:~:text=Hair%20follicles%20are%20among%20the,but%20so%20could%20other%20factors.
https://ms-my.facebook.com/m0diShubham/posts/hair-problems-are-very-common-it-can-be-due-to-many-reasonslets-learn-about-some/110818814394688/
https://www.hairlossprotalk.com/is-keto-hair-loss-permanent/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/weight-loss-and-hair-loss/