Ideal Diet Plan for Alopecia Areata
If you’re reading this you might know that alopecia is a form of hair loss. However, this condition comes in various types and alopecia areata is one of the most common forms. The very clear and visible symptoms might come with irregular spots on the heads. It is a form of autoimmune disease where the immune system targets the hair follicles.
If you’re experiencing hair loss. Get in touch with our specialist from a reputed stem cell therapy hospital India to know your condition more appropriately.
In this particular condition alopecia areata, the hair follicles of your scalp are affected and the attached hair falls out from the roots. This disease can cause hair loss, but it can rarely destroy the hair follicles, which means that the hair can regrow. To help this hair regrowth, it is vital to take proper treatment and also make some nutritional and lifestyle changes for a major improvement of your hair follicles.
Know Some Common Causes of Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a type of autoimmune condition, and it occurs when your immune system misreads healthy cells as a foreign substance and by mistake, your immune system attacks your hair follicles. However, the exact cause of alopecia areata is still unknown, but some potential causes are:
- Deficiency of vitamin D
- Family history of alopecia areata
- Experiencing other health conditions like Down syndrome, thyroid, etc.
- Undergoing any cancer treatment
Can diet really help in improving the symptoms of alopecia areata?
To fully cure this condition can be a difficult task but treatment like stem cell therapy can help you manage your symptoms of hair loss, but there can be some mixed results around improving signs for some medications and treatment methods and hence individual who experiences hair loss opt for natural approaches to treat the condition such as dietary changes.
According to a case study in 2020, an 8-year-old boy with this certain hair loss condition had achieved complete remission after following a pre-planned diet curated of whole and unrefined foods and vitamin D supplements, zinc and other micronutrients.
Best Food and Drinks to Add to Your Diet Plan
The main objective of the diet for alopecia areata is to reduce inflammation. The more reduced inflammation, the greater the chances of hair regrowth.
The diet of alopecia areata must consist of anti-oxidants, healthy fats, and biotin.
Fruit and vegetables: Try to include bright-coloured vegetables and fruits in your diet plan meals. You must add fruits and veggies containing anti-oxidants that help reduce inflammation. You can include the following list of vegetables and fruits
- Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Pineapple
- Green cabbage
- Apricot
- Apples
Utilize good oils: If you have this condition, you can notice that the patient has a dry scalp that cannot grow new hairs, so consuming good oils in your diet can help you decrease the inflammation as these oils consist of the oleic acid which is an omega 9 fatty acid. Include good oils such as:
- Nutritious and tasty coconut oil
- Canola oil
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
Consume nuts: Omega 3 fatty acid is one of the main key ingredients to reduce inflammation and the other symptoms of alopecia areata. You can include almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. You can have these nits as munchies in between meals or any time of the day.
Enhance the intake of onion: As we have discussed the benefits of consuming anti-oxidants when experiencing hair loss. Onions are a very good and rich source of antioxidants; it helps in reducing inflammation and cholesterol levels you can easily more raw onions in your dishes like sandwiches and salads. Other than this, you can also utilize these onions as a natural homemade topical solution for hair.
Fish: Wild fishes contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and consuming them can support you in improving numerous signs and symptoms of alopecia. They are very nutritious and are rich in protein. Adding these fish to your diet plan will not worsen the effects of alopecia as they do not contain toxins.
Protein: We all know that our hair is made from protein, so to help them grow by incorporating well balanced protein rich diet is essential. Add protein-rich items such as:
- Egg
- Liver
- Beans
- Chicken
- Milk
- Seafood
Bone broth: It will be a wonder if you can add bone broth in soups and stews to your diet. They can be easily digestible and are loaded with numerous nutrients. This broth will contain:
- Gelatin
- Collagen
- Glycine
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Phosphorous
These will help in boosting your immunity, nourish your hair, skin and reduce inflammation.
Foods to Avoid in Your Hair Loss Diet Plan
Dairy food products: Sometimes dairy items like milk, soy milk, tofu etc. can affect your immune system responses as dairy products contain a protein known as casein and this can cause irritation to the immune system and eventually worsen the symptoms of alopecia.
Excessive use of caffeine: If you applied caffeine topically it can act as a great hair growth stimulant, however, it isn’t so beneficial for individuals with hormonal issues.
Sugar: Consuming sugar can cause inflammation, so avoid utilizing sugar in your diet. But you can add a small amount of honey to sweeten the dish instead of sugar.
Polyunsaturated foods: Polyunsaturated fats are very unhealthy fats. Corn oil and sunflower oil contains this type of fat. So, it is recommended to consume steamed foods rather than fried foods.
Exclude nightshade foods: Eliminate foods like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and potatoes from your diet plan as these food products cause inflammation.
Some Healthy Eating Tips to Stick to Your Alopecia Areata Diet
Along with certain nutrients, maintaining healthy eating habits can also contribute to improving overall well-being and symptoms of alopecia areata. So, consider the following bits of advice to make fruitful progress:
Keep your body hydrated: Promote your hair health and overall well-being by drinking an adequate amount of water in a day.
Control your food portion: Try to maintain a healthy body weight as it is very crucial for your overall well-being. You can avoid excessive calorie intake by practising portion control.
Consider food intolerances: Some people with alopecia areata might face food intolerances that could possibly aggravate the symptoms. So, make sure to seek help from your healthcare provider to identify your food sensitivities.
It is always recommended that before implementing any type of dietary changes you should consider taking suggestions from healthcare experts. However, by combining these above tips and advice with medical treatments like stem cell therapy Delhi patients with this condition can actively participate in managing their symptoms and supporting their hair regrowth.