Maria Turner | Vitamins for Hair Loss Guide

Does celiac disease cause hair loss? Many people suffering from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that is related to gluten intolerance, report excessive hair loss. Moreover, there is a higher than normal incidence of celiac disease among people with alopecia areata, another autoimmune disorder that attacks the hair follicles and leads to hair loss. In many of these cases, hair loss slowed or ceased when the patient switched to a gluten-free diet.

The topic of celiac disease hair loss has not been investigated very thoroughly, but the results of several smaller research projects as well as anecdotal evidence do point to a connection. Many people with celiac disease who accidentally ingest foods that contain gluten report a sudden increase in hair fall among other reactions. Once the gluten is out of their system, the hair loss subsides. This points very strongly to a connection between celiac disease and hair loss.

In a study on celiac hair loss at the University of L’Aquila in Italy published in the medical journal Gasterenterology, researchers reported on several patients suffering from alopecia areata and celiac disease. In one particularly dramatic case, a 14-year-old boy suffering severe hair loss on his head and body found that all of his hair grew back after switching to a gluten-free diet. Overall, the celiac disease hair loss connection was so strong that it led to the recommendation that all patients suffering from alopecia areata be tested for celiac disease. A study in the Eurasian Journal of Medicine conducted on 140 children backs up these findings.

Does Celiac Disease Cause Hair Loss?

First, it’s important to have a clear understanding of these conditions before you can determine if this could be the cause of your hair loss. First, we’ll take a look at alopecia areata.

What Is Alopecia Areata?

The type of hair loss associated with celiac disease is called alopecia areata. The hallmark of alopecia areata is patches of hair loss, usually appearing on the scalp but occasionally in other areas such as the beard as well. It’s an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles.

It normally starts with one or two patches before spreading to other areas. The patches may be peach-colored and contain hairs around the border that resemble exclamation marks, although this does not always occur. Hair loss that follows this pattern is the most common type to accompany celiac disease.

What Is Celiac Disease?

If you think you might have hair loss from celiac disease, there are a few symptoms of celiac to look out for. However, it’s important to keep in mind that celiac disease does not present itself in the same way in every person. While many sufferers complain of abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, others may have no obvious signs of this condition.

In children, short stature and slow growth can indicate the possibility of celiac disease. Because those with celiac disease have trouble absorbing nutrients, weight loss and fatigue can also be present. Some theorize that it is the malabsorption of nutrients that accompanies Celiac that is responsible for celiac-related hair loss in many individuals, particularly the milder cases of hair fall. Blood tests and endoscopy can confirm suspected cases of celiac disease.

Could Your Hair Loss Be Caused by Celiac Disease?

If you have already been diagnosed with celiac disease and are experiencing hair loss, there is a good possibility that the two conditions are related, particularly if you notice increased hair fall following ingestion of gluten.

If you suspect a connection, you could try eliminating gluten from your diet to see if your hair loss improves. However, if you have not been diagnosed with celiac disease, it is important not to put yourself on a gluten-free diet before testing as this can skew the results. Check with your doctor if you think you might have celiac disease. Although celiac disease and hair loss can be related, there are plenty of other possible causes of hair loss as well.

Is there a connection between protein and hair growth? Can you take protein for hair loss? Does taking whey protein cause hair loss? If you’ve ever attempted to research protein and hair loss, you might be frustrated by all the conflicting information out there. Maria Turner clears up some common protein hair loss confusion.

Can a protein deficiency lead to hair loss? Should you take protein for hair growth?

Technically, it can. However, the deficiency would have to be so severe that other more serious problems would also develop. If you are experiencing hair loss for the first time but are otherwise healthy, chances are a protein deficiency alone is not the cause. Deficiencies aside, lower levels of protein can make hair dry and brittle, which is the main reason some people look to protein for hair growth.

Most people living in the developed world with a functioning digestive system and normal eating habits have no problem getting a reasonable amount of protein in their diet. If you are losing hair, it most likely is not form a lack of protein; therefore taking protein for hair loss is unlikely to reverse the problem, although it can help strengthen dry or brittle hair.

People who are at risk for a true protein deficiency are those with certain medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis and colitis. Anorexia can also cause a lack of protein. In such cases, the lack of protein can indeed cause hair loss and medical treatment is necessary. A severe protein deficiency can cause much more serious problems than hair loss. If you suspect you aren’t getting enough protein in your diet, ask your doctor for a blood test and see what he or she recommends.

Many people who take vitamins and protein for hair growth find that their hair is stronger, more resilient, and less prone to breakage. That’s because hair itself is made up of proteins. Topical protein treatment for hair can also temporarily strengthen your locks and help protect against the type of hair loss that comes from physical damage such as heat styling and tight pony tails.

Is there a connection between protein shakes and hair loss?

In a word, yes. Regular consumption of certain types of protein shakes can cause hair loss. Many of the non-organic protein shakes have growth hormones in them. These hormones stimulate the production of DHT, which in turn leads to hair loss. It’s particularly problematic for men. However, it’s important to note that only frequent use of high quantities of these protein shakes is problematic.

This does not mean you need to give up protein shakes entirely. Instead, look for shakes that are labeled as organic, free of growth hormones, and without branch amino acids.

The great irony here, of course, is the fact that many men turn to protein shakes in the first place because they want to improve their appearance, not realizing that the tradeoff is losing their hair.

In a recent article in Perth Now, Western Australian hair transplant surgeon Jennifer Martinick places the blame for some hair loss squarely on protein shakes. “They are 20 or 30-something, go to the gym, some even have Botox, take protein shakes to build up muscle but don’t realise it can contribute to baldness.”

The key word here, of course, is “contribute”. If you have a full head of hair, consuming whey protein shakes is not going to cause you to suddenly wake up bald. Whey protein hair loss won’t happen to everyone. If you already have a genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness, it can make it worse. Otherwise there is little reason to worry about whey protein and hair loss.

Of course, if you have recently started protein supplements and are noticing more hair fall than usual, it’s a good idea to stop.

The Bottom Line on Protein for Hair Growth

Too much or too little protein can be problematic not only for your hair but your overall health as well. Consuming a well-rounded diet rich in sources of protein such as meat, nuts, eggs, and yogurt is a great idea for healthy hair and a healthy body. If your diet is severely lacking in protein, supplementing can help, but overdoing it can have the opposite effect. If you have any doubts about your protein levels, a quick blood test from your doctor is all it takes to find out for sure.