Detox & Hair Loss

A detox or detoxification is used to rid the body of toxins. Toxins can build up in the body in a variety of ways, such as by eating processed or toxic foods, drinking contaminated water, or by breathing in polluted air. When harmful toxins build up in the body for a long period of time they may cause certain symptoms such as headaches, nausea, disease, and fatigue. However, while detox diets may rid the body of harmful substances, they should not be used for a prolonged period of time because they can have negative side effects such as hair loss.

Detoxifying

• A detoxification diet involves temporarily giving up certain foods in an effort to “cleanse” the body of toxins. Certain foods that are primarily given up include dairy products, caffeine, certain grains, meat, and sugar for about 10 days. The first phase of a detox diet starts with fasting. Fasting is when you consume no food, and either no liquids or just clear liquids. After the fasting phase the next part of detoxing involves only consuming raw vegetables, water, fruit, and fruit juices. You may want to also take an herbal laxative to speed up the toxin expelling process.

Hair Loss

• While a detoxification diet can help the body to remove harmful toxins it can also lead to other problems. Problems with a detox diet include malnutrition, anemia, irregular heartbeat, and low blood sugar. When you are malnourished it affects every part of your body from your mental clarity to your hair.

  There are different hair loss conditions that stem from detox diets. Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when the body has been through a shock that can be caused by sudden weight loss or nutritional deficiencies. This condition affects the hair a month or two after the initial shock, and tends to correct itself once the conditions that caused it have been corrected. Hair loss is also caused by poor nutrition. When the body lacks certain vitamins and minerals such as iron, and protein it can create hair loss because the body does not have what it needs to function correctly.

Considerations

• If you plan to go on a detox diet you should first consult with your primary care provider to determine if it is the right choice for you. You should never go on a detox diet for a prolonged period of time as it may cause nutritional deficiencies that can lead to hair loss. It is recommended to eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein; drink water, and exercise regularly for optimum health. If you still lack the essential nutrients in your diet, you may want to take a multivitamin daily to ensure proper nutrition.