Lots of factors impact hair growth or loss. Genetics play a major role, especially expressed in families where the mother’s father becomes bald at a relatively young age. Women very often experience hair loss around the menopause time period as the decrease in estrogen is a causative factor. Thyroid, cortisol, testosterone and other hormone imbalances play a role as well. Stress is another major causation of hair loss.
Now, let’s focus on weight control: Does obesity OR the loss of weight impact hair loss/growth?
“Crash” diets that focus on very low caloric intake tend to be accompanied by a negative impact on hair. Women especially will notice hair thinning/hair loss if weight is lost too quickly when utilizing a very low caloric intake. However, when weight loss is accomplished with a balanced high protein/low carb intake, the chances of hair loss are minimized.
Obesity leads to more stress and stress itself produces a negative impact on hair growth. As weight loss occurs, less stress is present and this, in turn, produces a positive impact on hair growth.
Exercise also has a positive impact on hair growth. Incorporating exercise as part of the weight control strategy will therefore add an additional benefit to having “healthy” hair.
So HAIR is the bottom line: Controlling weight the “right” way (i.e. no crash diets) will produce a beneficial impact on the overall health of your hair. (In my case, the “comb-over” phase is HAIR to stay…I used to have Neil Diamond hair in the 70’s but aging really sucks!!!)