Call (866) 471-8869 for FREE Consultation
Going Vegan Could Cause Men to Go Bald
by April Maguire
Today, it seems like people are more food conscious than ever before. Whether it's for medical reasons, ethical reasons or simply a growing environmental awareness, more and more men are choosing to go vegan, entirely eliminating meat and any kind of animal product from their diets. While proponents of veganism will be quick to point out the health benefits, such as weight loss and increased energy, ditching meat entirely could harm you in other ways. Specifically for men, it could lead to a greater rate of hair loss.
Importance of Iron
At first glance, eating meat wouldn't seem to have much of an impact on whether or not men are able to retain their hair. However, it all comes down to iron. This common mineral is vital to the health and growth of hair, and it is incredibly abundant in all types of protein, from red meat to fish. Unfortunately, men who don't eat meat might not be getting enough iron in their system to support their hair. Additionally, since your body doesn't treat hair as an essential organ, it is often the last to receive vitamins and minerals. So even if you do get some iron in your system, your hair might not see the benefits.
Many Factors
Hair loss is incredibly pervasive. In fact, the problem is so bad that, according to some estimates, roughly 50% of men over the age of 50 have experienced a noticeable amount of hair loss. Now obviously, all of those men aren't vegans, which means that iron deficiency isn't the leading cause of hair loss.
Actually, the leading cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia, which is more commonly known as male-pattern baldness. This condition is genetic and results in follicles shrinking over time, producing hairs of increasing fineness until they stop producing hairs altogether. For men suffering from androgenic alopecia, it probably doesn't matter whether they eat meat or not; they're going to lose their hair regardless. However, there is evidence to suggest that iron deficiency can be a contributing factor for hair loss, which means it can make androgenic alopecia worse.
Therefore, it's important for everyone, including vegans, to make sure they get enough iron in their systems. If you've decided to stop eating meat and anything else that came from an animal, then spinach, dried fruit and beans are iron-rich alternatives. Hopefully, by paying attention to your diet, there is no reason why going vegan should have any noticeable impact on your hair.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hair loss and how to treat it, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
Call 866-471-8869 for FREE Consultation
