The Root Causes of Hair Loss (And How to Reverse It) | Dr. Mark Hyman

Mark Hyman

Dec 6, 2024

Episode description

Is your hair thinning, and you’re not sure why? It’s likely your body is trying to send you a message. In this episode of “The Dr. Hyman Show,” I reveal how hormones, stress, diet, and nutrient deficiencies all contribute to hair loss and thinning. You'll learn how insulin resistance, poor diet, and nutrient deficiencies accelerate hair loss—and the simple steps you can take right now to reverse it.

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Mindsip insights from this episode:

Address gluten sensitivity to prevent total alopecia

Celiac disease and even non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause severe hair loss, sometimes leading to total alopecia, by triggering an autoimmune reaction in the scalp.

#autoimmunity

#hair-loss

Incorporate Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat for longevity benefits

Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat is a gluten-free seed loaded with longevity-promoting nutrients like rutin and quercetin, with a sprouted version being easier to digest.

#longevity

#nutrition

Identify medications that contribute to hair loss

Widely used medications like beta-blockers, blood thinners, and certain antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft can be a root cause of hair loss.

#hair-loss

Ensure adequate zinc intake to prevent hair loss

Zinc is a natural inhibitor of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, so a deficiency can lead to increased DHT and subsequent hair loss.

#hair-loss

#zinc

Maintain ferritin levels above 45 to prevent hair loss

To prevent hair loss, your ferritin (iron storage) level should be over 45, which is significantly higher than what standard lab reference ranges indicate as normal.

#ferritin

#hair-loss

Utilize progesterone to protect hair thickness

Progesterone naturally inhibits the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which explains why hair gets thicker during pregnancy and thins during menopause.

#hair-loss

#progesterone

Address insulin resistance to balance testosterone and DHT levels

Men with insulin resistance can have low total testosterone but high levels of hair-loss-causing DHT because insulin lowers a key binding protein (SHBG).