Hair loss is the excessive shedding of hair, while premature graying refers to the hair turning white at an early age. People often feel distressed about hair loss and gray hair. In modern society, poor dietary habits and high levels of stress can accelerate the speed of hair loss and graying.
Normal hair growth occurs in cycles, including a growth phase of 3-4 years, a regression phase of a few weeks, and a resting phase of 3-4 months. During the resting phase, hair gradually falls out and is replaced by new hair, which constitutes the process of hair metabolism. Under normal circumstances, daily hair loss during the resting phase does not exceed 100 strands. If it exceeds this range due to various reasons, it is considered pathological hair loss. There are many causes of hair loss, such as follicular damage, abnormal hair structure that is prone to breakage, and disruption of the hair growth cycle. Common diseases include seborrheic hair loss, various congenital and hereditary hair loss conditions, malnutrition, fungal or bacterial infections (such as tinea capitis and folliculitis), alopecia areata, syphilis, lupus erythematosus, as well as long-term X-ray exposure and the use of anti-tumor drugs.
On the other hand, premature graying is mainly caused by a decrease in melanin in the hair due to certain reasons, such as congenital depigmentation disorders, vitiligo, malnutrition, and exposure to certain chemicals.
If hair loss or premature graying is caused by malnutrition, it can be improved through dietary adjustments. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that there is a close relationship between hair and blood and kidneys. "Hair is the excess of blood" and "kidneys govern bones, and their essence is manifested in the hair." This indicates that if the kidney essence is abundant and the blood and qi are vigorous, the hair will grow thick and lustrous. Conversely, if the essence and blood are deficient, the hair will turn gray and fall out early. Therefore, both gray hair and hair loss are related to blood deficiency and kidney deficiency. The main treatment method is to nourish the blood and tonify the kidneys.
(1) For premature graying, the diet should be rich in nutrients, especially various vitamins, minerals, and iron-rich foods. Legumes, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods such as spinach, kelp, tomatoes, and black fungus are rich in iron and can be consumed more frequently.
(2) For hair loss, in addition to targeted treatment for the cause, the diet should be diverse, and attention should be paid to the intake of plant protein, vitamin E, collagen, iodine, calcium, iron, and other trace elements. It is advisable to eat more beans, soy products, fresh vegetables, fruits, sesame seeds, bone marrow, dairy products, kelp, and seaweed.
(3) Whether it is gray hair or hair loss, avoid stimulating substances such as tobacco and alcohol.
(4) People with hair loss should consume less sugary or high-fat foods.
(5) The latest research has found that silicon also helps slow down the graying of hair. Foods rich in silicon include onions, oats, millet, barley, whole wheat, and beetroot. To maintain hair color, choose foods rich in B vitamins, such as animal liver and other offal, raw malt, black rice, broccoli, royal jelly, etc.
In addition, massaging the scalp during hair washing or before bed can stimulate hair growth and increase local blood circulation, which can also have a certain auxiliary effect on treatment.
Recommended dietary therapy:
(1) Take 250g of black sesame seeds, fry them until cooked, and mix them with white sugar according to your taste. Eat 2-3 tablespoons in the morning and evening. This is suitable for premature graying and hair loss accompanied by anemia.
(2) Take 50g of black beans and 1 piece of pork ribs. Fry the pork ribs until half cooked, then add water and black beans to make a soup. Cook until done and consume. This is suitable for various types of gray hair and hair loss.
(3) Take 250g of walnuts, 250g of black sesame seeds, and 500g of brown sugar. Fry the walnuts and sesame seeds, boil the brown sugar with water until thick and sticky, add the fried sesame seeds and walnuts, mix well, cool, and cut into pieces to make a snack. This is suitable for gray hair, hair loss, forgetfulness, and insomnia.
(4) Take 10g of fresh Polygonum multiflorum, 5 red dates, and 50g of rice. Boil the Polygonum multiflorum in water to extract the concentrated juice, add rice and red dates, and cook porridge. Consume twice daily. This is suitable for premature graying of hair, dizziness, blurred vision, and constipation.
(5) Take 10g of Rehmannia glutinosa, 10g of Chinese wolfberry, 2 red dates, and 50g of black rice. Boil Rehmannia glutinosa and Chinese wolfberry in water to extract the concentrated juice, add black rice and red dates, and cook porridge. Consume twice daily. This is suitable for tinnitus, lumbar soreness, fatigue, premature aging, gray hair, and hair loss.
