Are you losing your hair? Is your hair thinning? If so, you are not alone. Approximately 50% of men and women, young and old, will experience hair loss at some point in their lifetime. There are many different causes of hair loss– autoimmune issues, hormonal imbalances, poor gut health, insulin resistance, and environmental toxicity (think certain plastic water bottles). Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Elizabeth Boham of The UltraWellness Center discuss the Functional Medicine approach to treating hair loss and how it differs from the conventional medicine approach. (podcast link below). The functional medicine approach provides so much hope and promise for hair health and regrowth. Here are some key Healthshifter takeaways from the informative podcast episode:
There are many different types of hair loss. Complete hair loss on parts of the scalp and on the body is known as alopecia. This is actually an autoimmune process which Dr. Hyman notes can be reversed. He shares a story about a patient with alopecia who was able to regrow her hair! Some individuals, on the other hand, find their parts begin to widen while others notice thinning hair. Often times, conventional treatments include steroids like Rogaine or hair transplants. Functional medicine treats hair loss very differently. Functional medicine practitioners take out their detective hats and look for clues to find out the root cause of hair loss/thinning. Once those root causes are addressed, patients often see their hair regrow and become healthier and thicker.
So why does the hair change? Dr. Hyman and Dr. Boham explain that a patient’s hormones, nutritional status, and exposure to toxins all may contribute to hair loss. For example, a patient’s exposure to gluten or other inflammatory foods may impact digestion and nutrients. The doctors will test for nutritional deficiencies such as low protein intake or absorption or iron deficiencies-both of which can impact hair loss. They will test for hormonal changes, PCOS, high testosterone and DHEA levels, as well as insulin resistance. These hormonal changes can cause hair to become thin or to grow dark and course on a patient’s chin or belly. The doctors will often times treat the hair loss with dietary changes, supplements and other lifestyle changes. For example, hair loss is known to be caused by eating the wrong foods such as sugar and highly processed foods. Once the nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and diet are addressed, often times hair will regrow, becoming thicker and healthier.
Thyroid issues can also cause hair loss/thinning. Dr. Hyman and Dr. Boham explain how subtle changes may signal an underactive thyroid. For example, dry hair, thinning hair, hair loss on the outer 1/3 of the eyebrow, brittle nails, high cholesterol, and even depression may tell a functional medicine practitioner that the thyroid is not working as it should. The practitioner will then take a very detailed history and order very comprehensive thyroid testing (not typically ordered by conventional medicine doctors) to see how the thyroid is actually performing. Often times, thyroid problems are missed, and it is estimated that 50% of individuals are undiagnosed and not treated. When properly treated hair loss can be reversed.
There are many triggers for hair loss and the stage may be set at a very young age. Eating a high sugar diet and highly processed foods can lead to weight gain, belly fat, insulin resistance and yes, you guessed it, hair loss. Functional Medicine doctors can diagnose nutritional and hormonal deficiencies, gut issues and can treat patients with diet and supplements. Given the right treatment hair can be helped. To learn more, listen to the podcast below.
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