Hair loss is caused by a variety of factors in women and men. Whether your hair loss is caused by an emotional, lifestyle or medical factor, it is important to identify what is preventing your body from effectively absorbing the nutrients it needs to grow healthy hair. Learn more about some of the most common causes of hair loss.
 
Menopause & Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect the healthy hair growth cycle. Other hormonal changes in the body may affect hair thinning and loss in some women. Women can experience problems with their hair due to a hormone imbalance and increased sensitivity to the male hormones found naturally in women’s bodies.
Post pregnancy
Pregnancy, while a beautiful and natural process, can be a stressful event for a woman’s body. Post-partum, many women who had seen thick, beautiful hair growth during pregnancy will see a sudden increase in hair shedding and hair loss as their hormone levels begin to normalize. However, this is usually a temporary condition and should reverse itself in time. Please note that due to the marine extracts in Viviscal supplements, we do not recommend the product to women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 
Birth control
Birth control pills are the most common form of contraception for women. Birth control pills contain a mixture of progestin and estrogen, which occasionally can affect healthy hair growth especially in women who have a genetic predisposition to hair loss.
 
Age
In our 20s and 30s, we typically have 615 hair follicles per square centimeter. The number falls to 485 by the time we turn 50, and to 435 by age 80. Each hair also becomes thinner, thereby reducing hair volume.
Stress
In the face of everyday stress, the adrenal gland produces more adrenaline, which can lead to an increase in the production of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). If there are not enough other hormones present to counterbalance this, this imbalance can affect healthy hair growth*.
For some people, everyday stress can affect the condition of their hair and it can turn into a vicious circle: stress affects the hair growth cycle and the seeing this hair loss causes the individual even more stress.
Poor diet
A diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy hair and hair growth. The hair follicle is a nonessential tissue and, therefore, it is often one of the last parts of the body to receive nutritional substances. Therefore, any long-term deficiencies may lead to premature hair loss.
Protein
Eat at least five ounces (approximately 150 grams) of protein a day. Foods high in protein are meat, chicken, fish, beans, eggs, cheese and tofu. Because hair is made of 80% to 95% protein, this is an important area of your diet.
Vitamins
Biotin (Vitamin B7) helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein and thus essential in the formation of the hair structure. Biotin is found naturally in peanuts, almonds, sweet potatoes, eggs and oats. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to absorb more Iron into the blood, which in turn promotes hair growth. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli and berries.
Minerals
Important minerals for healthy hair functioning are silica (found in potatoes, red and green peppers, and bean sprouts), magnesium (found in green vegetables and nuts), and essential fatty acids (such as the omega fatty acids found in fish).
Over-styling
Excessive use of aerosol sprays, hair dyes, hair irons or curlers may result in damaged hair in the long term. Men and women who find their healthy hair is being affected may want to reconsider the products that they’re using on their hair and scalp, and consider other nutritional supplements and healthier styling methods.
Smoking
Smoking can affect healthy hair growth. Cigarette smoking has been shown to cause poor circulation, which can affect the amount of blood flow available to the hair follicles on the scalp.
   
 
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