How to Stop Premature Balding

Hair loss affects millions of people, both men and women. Most cases of premature hair loss in men are due to hereditary male pattern baldness or nutritional deficiencies. For women, hair loss is more difficult to diagnose and can be the symptom of many factors -- pregnancy or menopause, hormonal imbalances or even parasites. For everyone who experiences premature hair loss, the condition is not entirely preventable but can be significantly slowed by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Instructions

Steps

• 1

  Consult with a doctor and have him or her perform a hair analysis. According to Janet Zand, OMD and Allan Spreen, MD, authors of Smart Medicine for Healthier Living, minerals and amino acids present in the blood are laid down in the hair as it is formed in the scalp. Therefore, a hair analysis can give you a clear picture of your blood profile and general health. This may also help you to uncover any toxic metals present in the body or nutritional deficiencies that may be the cause of your hair loss.

• 2

  Change your diet. The average American diet is heavy in meat, dairy and sugar, and many experts have made correlations between the typical Western diet and hair loss. "On some level, male pattern baldness might be tied to increased testosterone levels during puberty, which are often the result of a high-fat diet or eating too many animal products. It's clear that a high-fat, meat-based diet raises testosterone levels, and that may adversely affect hair follicles," says Michael A. Klaper, M.D., a nutritional medicine specialist in Pompano Beach, Florida, and director of the Institute of Nutritional Education and Research. To slow down the aging process and improve your health in general, incorporate more fresh, whole natural foods into your diet such as vegetables, fruits and unprocessed lean meats.

• 3

  Consider a zinc supplement. Zinc is a necessary nutrient for the body to process collagen, and without enough of it, the hair and skin begin to suffer. Acute zinc deficiency can cause thinning or hair loss, slower growth or dermatitis, as well as brittle nails and dry skin. If you suffer from these symptoms, try adding a zinc supplement, recommends Elson M. Haas, MD, author of Staying Healthy with Nutrition.

• 4

  Take a probiotic. For women in particular, premature hair loss may be caused by a problem in the digestive system. "Occasionally, it's a sign of insufficient stomach acids or that she's not absorbing protein, zinc and other nutrients," says Klaper. Supplementing with a probiotic such as acidophilus, as recommended by Dr. Klaper, may help strengthen the body's digestive processes and improve nutrient absorption enough to make an impact on premature hair loss.