Alopecia Areata: Know What Foods To Avoid!

Man with baldness combing hair | Trouble With Hair Loss? Things To Avoid When You Have Alopecia Areata

Have you ever observed people with bald patches on their heads? This is caused by a condition known as alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes unexpected hair loss in one or more circular bald patches. It kills certain hair follicles and may be induced by high-stress levels. According to Harvard Health, several foods promote and exacerbate autoimmune conditions by encouraging inflammation. You may be able to reverse alopecia areata or at least alleviate some of the most unpleasant symptoms by following specific dietary recommendations. Let's speak about what you should avoid if you have alopecia areata.

Causes of Alopecia Areata

Some possible causes include:

Alopecia areata genetics or family history
Other medical disorders, such as vitiligo, Down syndrome, psoriasis, thyroid illness, and so on.
A lack of vitamin D
Alopecia areata occurs in patients receiving cancer therapy with cancer medication. In many cases, hair loss signals that the drug is working.

Things to Avoid when you have Alopecia Areata (AA):

When you have alopecia areata, you should avoid the following:

Gluten is one of the foods to avoid if you have alopecia areata since it has been linked to hair loss.
Inflammatory foods should be avoided since they might cause hair loss and aggravate alopecia areata.
If you have AA, you should avoid drinking alcohol.
Food additives are among the things to avoid if you have alopecia areata.
Polyunsaturated fats should be avoided while taking AA.
If you have alopecia areata, you should avoid foods with a high glycemic index.
Hair loss may result from eating fish rich in mercury. If you have alopecia areata, you should avoid eating fish.
A frontal fibrosing alopecia diet should contain vitamin D-rich foods. If you have alopecia areata, you should consume anti-oxidant rich foods such as apples, apricots, berries, other brightly coloured foods, and green vegetables. Biotin-rich foods should be incorporated to encourage hair development. Increasing your diet of soy and protein-rich meals will help you reverse your alopecia areata symptoms.

Stress is another crucial factor to avoid if you have alopecia areata since it causes hair loss.
Other things to avoid if you have alopecia are harsh chemicals and hairstyles that might cause hair loss.
Patients with alopecia areata should avoid exposing their scalp and hair to the sun. When going outside, it is best to use sunscreen and protective clothing.

8 Alopecia Areata foods to avoid

Although there is no cure for alopecia areata, there are certain things you may do to improve your outlook on the problem. Avoid these foods if you have alopecia areata:

1. Dairy products:

Dairy products are high in fat, which increases testo levels in the body. It is only one of the numerous reasons for hair loss that have irritated many individuals. Dairy products may also worsen skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff in persons who are prone to them. As a consequence, hair loss occurs.

2. Excessive Nuts

Avoid it if you are allergic to nuts. Most nuts contain selenium, which, although essential in low levels, may lead to hair loss if ingested in large quantities. Brazil nuts should be avoided since they are rich in selenium.

3. Sugar

Excess sugar consumption leads to impaired blood circulation. This makes getting blood and nutrients to your hair follicles difficult. Some persons who ingest an excessive amount of sugar have scalp irritation. Because of limited blood flow, an inflamed scalp produces a burning sensation rather than an extremely chilly scalp. It, once again, results in damaged hair.

4. Polyunsaturated fats

Corn oil and sunflower oil contain polyunsaturated fats. As a consequence, eating steamed meals rather than fried ones is preferred. Bake or sauté your meal softly.

5. Caffeine

Caffeine is a fantastic topically applied hair growth stimulant, but too much caffeine isn't good for persons with hormonal difficulties, particularly those with low or high cortisol levels.

Avoid Nightshades: If you have alopecia areata, you should avoid eating peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes since they cause inflammation.

6. Greasy or oily foods

The scalp secretes an oily substance known as "sebum." This sebum hydrates your hair as well as the skin on your scalp. However, when your body is overwhelmed with grease, this sebum becomes greasy. As a consequence, your hair will seem limp and oily. As a consequence, hair loss occurs because the oil that coats your hair follicles makes it impossible for your hair to develop.

7. Carbonated drinks

Carbonated drinks interact with the insulin in your blood, reducing its sensitivity to sugar. It raises blood sugar, lowers blood flow, and limits nutrients reaching hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

8. Refined Carbs

One of the numerous variables that lead to hair loss is refined carbohydrates, which may be found in bread, cake, spaghetti, and pizza. Foods containing refined carbs interfere with your body's stress defenses. And once consumed, they decompose into sugar. We've previously discussed how sugar affects your hair, so, sure.

Can diet affect alopecia areata?

Yes! Your diet might be to blame. Genetic causes are often to blame for hair loss. Androgenic alopecia, often known as male or female pattern baldness, is a relatively prevalent inherited disorder. However, food and nutrition may also play a role in increasing hair loss.

Best probiotics for alopecia areata

By taking a probiotic to restore the usual bacteria in the stomach and lower inflammation, one may enhance the skin's microbiome, reversing some hair loss or, at the very least, keeping it from increasing.

Probiotic-rich foods include kefir, kombucha, veggies, yogurt, and apple cider vinegar. It may help strengthen your immune system and provide treatment for alopecia areata.

Take Away

Alopecia areata is characterized by hair loss from numerous body areas such as the scalp, eyelashes, brows, face, beard, and so on. Alopecia areata is more common in those who have autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, thyroid disease, or vitiligo. Although there is no treatment for alopecia areata, there are several things to avoid if you have it. You may be able to reverse alopecia areata or, at the very least, alleviate some of the most unpleasant symptoms. In your diet, avoid peppers, dairy products, sweets, tomatoes, caffeine, eggplant, potatoes, and polyunsaturated fats. Instead, eat fish, fruits, veggies, onions, bone broth, and healthy oils.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is chicken good for alopecia?

Yes, Chicken is a high-protein meal that may help with hair growth.

2. What makes alopecia areata worse?

When your stress levels are high, you are more prone to lose hair. While alopecia isn't directly connected to stress, it is more likely to flare up when you're under a lot of pressure.

3. Can you live a normal life with alopecia?

The majority of individuals who have the condition are healthy and have no additional symptoms. Alopecia areata progresses differently in each individual. Some people experience hair loss events throughout their life, while others only have one. Recovery is also variable, with some patients seeing complete hair regrowth while others do not.

References:

Foods that fight inflammation - Harvard Health Publishing