Hair loss / hair shedding

Symptom

Also known as: androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss

Foods That May Help

Foods linked to Hair loss / hair shedding in the research literature.

SoybeansReduces risk of
3/4 cup tempeh or soybeans per day
Daily soy isoflavones found in 3/4 cup tempeh or soybeans improved hair loss in RCT; weekly soymilk drinking associated with 62% lower odds of moderate-to-severe hair loss
Source: How Not to Age
PepitasProtects against
Source: The How Not to Age Cookbook
Soy FoodsProtects against
Source: The How Not to Age Cookbook
Chile PeppersProtects against
Source: The How Not to Age Cookbook
RosemaryProtects against
Diluted rosemary essential oil appears to work as well as Rogaine for keeping hair.
Source: The How Not to Age Cookbook

Bioactive compounds linked to Hair loss / hair shedding in the research.

SpermidineImproves
Amount of spermidine in a daily half teaspoon of wheat germ significantly reduced hair shedding compared to placebo.
Source: How Not to Age
Rosemary Essential OilImproves
10 drops per fluid ounce of lotion, applied twice daily
Quarter teaspoon of lotion with 10 drops rosemary essential oil per fluid ounce rubbed on scalp twice daily worked as well as minoxidil in balding men
Source: How Not to Age
EGCGImproves
Major green tea constituent promotes human hair growth in vitro but no clinical trials found
Source: How Not to Age
SpermidineProtects against
Spermidine promotes hair growth (Ramot 2011)
Source: Nutrition, Food and Diet in Ageing and Longevity

Foods and compounds that may contribute to Hair loss / hair shedding.

Fish
Women with high fish intake and high blood mercury levels whose hair loss reversed with fish-free diet
Source: How Not to Age