7th January, 2022

Is the Keto Diet Causing Hair Loss?

Reviewed By

Dr Dhananjay Chavan

Dermatologist

Can Keto Diet Make Me Lose Hair?

Wondering if the keto diet can lead to hair loss? Learn about the connection between ketogenic diets, nutritional deficiencies, and hair thinning, and how to prevent it.

A ketogenic or keto diet is an effective strategy to start your weight loss journey. But, it comes with side effects, including damage to the hair and hair loss. However, there are ways to reduce the effect of such a diet on your hair. For most cases, taking vitamins such as Vitamin A, B and C combined with alterations to your fooding habits can help counter the impact and bring your hair quantity and conditions back to pre-keto levels. Today, in this blog, we will discuss all the causes and ways a keto diet affects your hair.

What’s covered in the article?

  • What is Keto Diet?
  • Causes of Keto Diet Resulting in Hair Loss
  • Prevention Tips for Reducing Hair Loss from Keto Diet
  • Conclusion

What is Keto Diet?

A keto diet comprises high fat and low carbohydrates with adequate protein. By following such a diet, the fats in the body are burned. Such a diet decreases carbohydrate intake to about less than 50 grams every day. The foods consumed in a ketogenic diet include eggs, avocados, veggies, cottage cheese, seafood, yoghurt, and berries.

Causes of Keto Diet Resulting in Hair Loss

A Keto diet causes numerous side effects, such as stressing the kidneys, nutrient deficiencies and digestive issues. It may also result in significant hair loss. Here are two common causes of how the keto diet results in such loss:

  • Reduced Calories Consumption

In keto diets, people lose their appetite, which results in reduced consumption of calories. This is how you reduce weight with such diets. However, low calories in the body lead to the shutdown of crucial functions such as hair growth.

  • Lack of Essential Nutrients

For healthy hair, intake of key nutrients and vitamins, including carbohydrates and roughage, is essential. By following a keto diet, you can reduce the intake of these nutrients, reducing the variety of nutrients that your body requires for hair growth and development. This, in turn, may lead to higher levels of hair loss.

Prevention Tips for Reducing Hair Loss from Keto Diet

Below mentioned are a few tips you can follow to reduce hair loss from Keto Diet:

  • Adequate Intake of Vitamins 

Low levels of protein, iron, and many other vitamins cause health problems and damage your hair quality. Therefore, you must consume a balanced diet for healthy hair.

  • Coconut Oil 

Regularly oiling your hair can help promote the growth and development of your hair. Coconut oil helps prevent hair loss, which occurs due to a lack of protein.

  • Avoid Alterations

When trying out a keto diet, your body takes time to adjust and adapt to it. Therefore, you must limit the different alterations to your hair, including straightening, colouring or tight braids.

However, if you are on a keto diet and facing serious hair loss problems, consult your dermatologist to understand how to enhance your hair volume levels.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, while the keto diet offers numerous health benefits, rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies may contribute to temporary hair loss. Maintaining a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, and ensuring you’re getting enough essential nutrients can help mitigate this side effect. If you’re experiencing significant or prolonged hair thinning, consult with a healthcare professional to assess the underlying causes and find the right treatment options.

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