Why Hair Falls Out

You naturally lose 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. But much more than this might signal a problem

YOU’RE HIGHLY STRESSED Feeling anxious from time to time is unlikely to cause your hair to fall out. But a life-threatening medical diagnosis or the death of a loved one can trigger hair loss. Your hair can grow back once you control your stress.

YOU USE HARSH HAIR PRODUCTS

Guilty of using hot tools for sleek, shiny hair, or straightening chemicals? You may be raising your risk of hair loss. Instead try to buy natural hair products.

YOU STARTED A NEW MEDICATION

Certain drugs can lead to hair loss. Read over the drug label warnings to check. But don’t stop any medication without first consulting your doctor.

YOUR DIET IS LOW IN PROTEIN

A lack of protein can cause your hair to fall out. Women should get at least 46 gm of protein per day and men at least 64 gm. Protein should come from a variety of sources. Beans and legumes are ideal.

YOU’RE DEFICIENT IN IRON

A diet low in iron may lead to hair loss. Women aged 19–50 should get 18 mg of iron per day; males and women 51 and older, should get 8 mg. Add iron-rich foods to your diet, such as kidney beans, soybeans and spinach.

YOU HAVE A THYROID PROBLEM

Both an overactive and a underactive thyroid can cause hair loss. If you have abnormal hair loss and other symptoms of thyroid disease, seek your doctor’s advice.