Our weight and hair are two of the most obvious factors that affect our appearance. But these two things are more related to each other than you think or imagine. Today’s article may remind you of the diet you are following.
Naturally, we consider hair to be the outer part of the body, but forget that the health of shiny hair depends heavily on the food we eat. Following a low-calorie diet can lead to unhealthy dietary patterns. Limiting calorie intake in this way causes immediate weight loss, followed by hair loss.
The optavia diet is one of the calorie-restricted calories that you can expect to lose a lot of weight, but according to clients who have been on this diet for a while, it has side effects such as hair loss. This is directly related to the reduction of beneficial nutrients that are essential for maintaining a regular hair life cycle.
How is the Optavia diet related to hair loss?
Those who want to lose weight are tempted to follow the Optavia diet, which seems to provide a path to success. The Optavia diet plan limits calorie intake for the first 12 weeks to 800-1,200 per day, achieving significant weight loss. The second phase lasts for 6 weeks, during which the dieter can burn up to 1550 calories per day.
Therefore, Optavia sits between the following two categories of diets.
- Ultra-low calorie diet (VLCD) that enables 600-900 calories / day
- Low calorie diet (LCD) that can consume 1,000 to 1,500 calories per day
There is no doubt that reducing the number of calories you burn each day by following these diets can lead to rapid weight loss. This happens because the body needs a lot of calories to maintain the same weight. However, when weight loss occurs, it can affect hormone levels and cause hair loss.
In cases like rapid weight loss, hair is vulnerable to a condition known as acute Telogen effluvium (TE). The explanation is simple. Lowering calorie intake directly reduces the amount of energy that goes to the hair follicles for hair growth.
Hair loss does not occur immediately after losing weight. After losing weight with the Optavia diet, it takes about 3 months for hair loss to begin. The hair loss condition, acute TE, caused in this case does not last for more than 6 months. If it lasts for more than 6 months, it becomes chronic TE.
What else causes hair loss?
Hair loss on a diet sounds strange at first, but it’s pretty common. However, it is not the only factor that causes hair loss. Other points to note are as follows.
- Both psychological and emotional stress can lead to hair loss or TE.
- Side effects are common to almost all medicines, and some, such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and anticoagulants, can cause hair loss.
- malnutrition.. A diet deficient in vitamins, proteins, minerals and fatty acids can cause hair loss.
- Medical condition. Autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, and thyroid conditions are just a few of the conditions that can cause hair loss.
- A mental disorder characterized by the urge to pull hair out of the scalp.
- Traction alopecia. Trauma caused by tight hair and being forced into improper hairstyles can cause hair to fall out.
Most hair loss is caused by genetic or environmental factors, but diet also plays an important role. Eating a diet rich in fiber, minerals and vegetables and getting a good night’s sleep can help reduce hair loss and improve hair health.
Final idea
Before choosing a weight loss plan, you need to be aware of the nutrients you are potentially cutting out of your diet. Your hair, like any other part of the body, needs to be nourished. Failure to do so can lead to the development of acute or chronic TE. Lack of important nutrients such as protein, vitamins, zinc and iron can have a negative effect on appearance.
The proper way to lose weight without damaging your hair is to choose a diet that contains the essential nutrients your hair needs. If you notice hair loss after a particular diet and suspect that food changes are the cause, please contact us for expert advice. Vinci Hair Clinic offers free consultation to all new clients. Contact us to book your appointment!
