Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune cells to attack hair follicles. The result is hair loss, often in patches across the scalp. Research indicates the disease may be genetic, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says.
The bald patches normally are about the size of a quarter. In some people, however, hair loss may be more severe and even lead to total baldness.
While there is no universal treatment for alopecia, corticosteroids, minoxidil (Rogaine), and some medications used to treat psoriasis may help stimulate hair growth among people with alopecia, the institute says.
Healthy Hair Diet
If dry, limp hair is weighing you down, then this diet is for you. Did you know that what you eat is reflected in the health of your hair? All of the hair-revitalizing shampoos in the world won't help if you aren't nourishing your body. Here's how the Healthy Hair Diet can help:
- Just like your body, your hair needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. That's why this food plan contains a rainbow of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, whole grains for minerals, nuts and seeds for minerals and vitamins, and lean protein for iron. A fortified breakfast cereal will help your body get all of the other good stuff it needs.
- Water not only hydrates your body, but helps keep your hair silky and shiny. This diet includes eight to 10 glasses of water and juices a day for maximum hydration.
- The fiber from fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes is good for your body and your hair. This meal plan features lots of fiber-containing food as an option at each meal.
See how your breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks can keep your hair -- and your body -- healthy.
BREAKFAST
Option one :
- Total breakfast cereal with skim milk and blueberries
- orange juice
Option two :
- Special K cereal with milk and strawberries
- grapefruit juice
Option three :
- All Bran cereal with skim milk and mixed berries
- orange juice
LUNCH
Option one :
- turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread with dark green lettuce and tomato
- tossed salad with green and red peppers and tomatoes
- tangerine
- milk
Option two :
- split pea soup
- dark rye bread
- broccoli and carrots with low-fat dip
- nectarine
- skim milk
Option three :
- garden vegetable pizza
- tossed salad with broccoli, green and red peppers and tuna
- kiwi
- skim milk
DINNER
Option one :
- classic roast beef
- mashed sweet potatoes
- steamed green beans
- mixed berries drizzled with honey or maple syrup
- milk
Option two :
- orange beef broccoli
- brown rice
- mixed orange and grapefruit sections
- milk
Option three :
- glazed lamb tenderloins
- brussels sprouts
- tossed salad with citrus dressing
- baked potato with low-fat sour cream
- strawberry shortcake
- milk
SNACKS
These delicious snacks will boost your energy levels at the same time that they nourish your hair. Be sure to choose at least one snack with nuts and one with soy every day.
- ¼ cup mixed nuts
- ½ cup mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit
- apple berry smoothie
- tofu cubes in best teriyaki sauce and marinade
- yogurt topped with wheat germ, nuts, and berries
- Shredded Wheat and low-fat soymilk topped with ground flax seed and fresh fruit
Healthy Dos and Don'ts Do
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants -- the more variety of color, the better
- Take a daily multivitamin supplement
- Choose less processed foods whenever possible for the highest amount of vitamins
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself well hydrated
Don't
- Drink alcohol
- Smoke
- Eat highly processed foods (most snack foods, cookies, cakes, candies)
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