Hair loss is a problem experienced throughout the population, affecting nearly 10 million people in Korea, and is increasingly seen among the middle-aged as well as the young, including those in their 20s and 30s. As they become more susceptible to stress and more attentive to their appearances, a growing number of people worry about hair loss that is a result of severe levels of stress and excessive weight loss. For this reason, hair loss has become more than just a bothersome issue, but a somewhat serious problem that affects the social lives of those who suffer from it.
Winter is known as 'the season of hair loss' because more people are affected during this season. This is because our hair goes through a transition period of slow growth in winter, while it grows quickly in spring and summer. Moreover, the dry weather of this during this season dries out our scalps and increases the amount of dead skin cells, which promotes hair loss. The chilly weather of winter affects the regenerative ability of the scalp and hair roots become weak, easily leading to hair loss.
Those who are experiencing the following symptoms may be suffering from hair loss:
1) The hair on the top of the head is thinner than other parts of the head
2) More than 100 strands of hair fall out when being dried by a hairdryer
3) More than three or four strands of hair fall out when grabbing and pulling out 10 to 20 strands of hair with two fingers
4) The volume of hair has decreased.
To prevent hair loss, it is important to reduce stress as well as consume sufficient nutrients and have a good night's sleep. Among those measures, the most basic thing is nutrition management. Since the main ingredient of our hair is protein, the consumption of adequate nutrients, including proteins, minerals, and vitamins, is helpful for the prevention of hair loss.
A fruit that is good for preventing hair loss is the humble tomato. As one of 10 globally known super foods, tomatoes contain ample amounts of lycopene playing an important role in hair loss prevention. The most important thing for people experiencing hair loss is to have good blood circulation. With poor blood circulation, hair loss rapidly increases because hair cannot fully receive nutrients. Lycopene in tomatoes improves blood flow and helps cell restoration, which is very beneficial for the health of the scalp. While fully ripened tomatoes contain more lycopene than unripe tomatoes, the processing of tomatoes increases the concentration of bio-available lycopene. For this reason, tomato paste is more beneficial than raw tomatoes. Cooking and crushing tomatoes and serving them in oil-rich dishes (such as spaghetti sauce or pizza) greatly increases absorption from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. In addition, tomatoes contain a wide array of vitamins that block oxidative stress, helping to prevent hair loss.
Garlic and chilies are other helpful forms of food for hair loss prevention. The allicin component of garlic promotes elimination of body toxins, including lead and mercury, accumulated in our bodies, and aids metabolism. Not only is garlic rich in hair growth supporting vitamin B, it also contains MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane), an important nutrient for the health of our connective tissues including bones, cartilage, skin, and hair. Therefore, consistent consumption of such food makes hair not only silky and elastic but also strong enough to be less likely to fall from the scalp.
Likewise, chilies contain capsaicin which strengthens blood vessels. Capsaicin plays a helpful role in the prevention of hair loss because it promotes blood circulation to provide sufficient nourishment to the scalp. As chilies are rich in vitamin B, they promote hair growth by keeping scalp and hair healthy.
Among 'black foods,' black beans are another example of food that helps prevent hair loss. Vitamin E and essential fatty acids found in black beans stimulate blood circulation by expanding peripheral blood vessels, which prevent hair falling out of your head and maintain hair strength. Carrots, a food rich in antacids, are also helpful in the prevention of hair loss because they prevent damage to scalp cells.
If the problems are ignored for long, it is hard to recover from hair loss that has already progressed. Therefore, hair loss should be treated in the early stages. Prevention by consuming proper nutrients is a smart way to beat hair loss rather than trying to cure it once it has already occurred.
The writer is a doctor who runs the We Clinic in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, which is dedicated to health and beauty. She is certified by the Korean Vegetable Sommelier Association for her expert knowledge on the characteristics of fruits and vegetables, and she also serves as an honorary ambassador for Sun at Food, a chain restaurant operator.
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