It seems you reduced foods that are allergens and causes inflammation (sugars, processed foods and daily/animal products). In my opinion, that was a key factor and not just the vegan part. Vegan does not always mean healthy, especially when one still eat sugars. I am plant based for years, and I have dealt with hair loss for the same number of years I have been plant based.

Without a healthy microbiome, we cannot absorb the nutrients we need from the food we consume. It has been shown that Americans have depleted microbiomes and it is presumed to be, in large part, due to our diet. There is emerging evidence that we can rebuild our microbiome with a whole food plant-based diet – but it takes patience, know-how, and time. I have a hunch that this may be why some people are able to grow hair on a vegan diet.

I attempted to rebuild my microbiome six months ago based on the evidence I have gathered. I ate as many different kinds of plant foods as I could and I also dropped excess fat from my diet. Of course, I eliminated all processed foods, sugar, processed oils, and most animal products. Six months later and my hair has grown thicker than it was. My fingernails are also stronger and I feel better than ever. My digestive issues have cleared up. Like my mother, my evidence is only anecdotal, I really have no idea what might have caused my hair growth. 

My point in writing this is that fad diets, like vegan and keto, might cause hair loss because of a potential shift that happens in the microbiome when we drastically change what we eat. There are well-documented studies showing significant shifts in the microbiome when eliminating animal products from the diet. It has also been well-documented that western diets, which deplete the microbiome, also promote digestive issues. We know that digestive issues can cause hair loss. The microbiome is a crucial consideration when linking diet to hair growth.

You mentioned how comments in the forum devolve into attacks and biased generalizations. Obviously, different approaches work for different people and most, if not all, of the evidence in the comments is subjective. However, you acknowledge in this article that your experience on a vegan diet may have been tainted by a calorie deficit. It may also have been affected by the bacteria in your microbiome in addition to many other possible factors. Your article was based on anecdotal evidence. And yet you chose to name that particular article based on a generalized claim that was applied to your readers (you told us that a vegan diet would NOT grow our hair). Is it not obvious that click-bate titles, making broad and biased claims serve to fuel the fires of more baseless arguments? When we are in positions of authority, like you are, we have a responsibility to be conscious of how we are affecting those who we influence. A more accurate title would have been “my experience on a vegan diet.” The rest of your articles have clear and unassuming titles. Why did you choose to name that article in such a way? I am honestly curious…

a mostly unnoticed study in Italy compared the dietary patterns of people suffering from AGA vs people not suffering from AGA found noteworthy differences: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29181579/

Cheers
benjt

I just wanted some clarification on omega 3 and 6. Between articles found online and the comments section here, it sounds like there are some benefits to specifically trying to increase intake of omega 3. However, in the section above where you boiled down some dietary advice that is all over the place online, you mentioned that it could be concluded that one should “Reduce prostaglandin activity: minimize polyunsaturated omega fats (specifically, omega 6).” I tried to google search this to see what the hitch is with omega 6 and hair loss, but I couldn’t find anything.

For a little context, here’s why I’m asking. I’m currently mixing a handful of oils and extracts and together to apply topically (as per the info gathered in your Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed Oil articles and their comments sections). The serum is so, though, thick and sticky that it tends to pull some hairs out as I’m massaging it in to my scalp. In searching for a non-synthetic oil that could increase viscosity, I found rice bran oil and I figured I’d add this. However, it’s said to be high in omega-6. I just wanted some clarification if, in your findings, omega 6 is generally thought to be bad for hair loss, or if maybe the omega-6-rich rice bran oil could be a viable solution to the viscosity issue. Any input would be awesome!

Thanks,
-Tanner

Hey Antonio,

It’s a great question. Based on the investigators with whom I’ve spoken, the two phenomena observed (for hair loss) in people moving from Asia to the US, UK, Australia, and/or New Zealand are:

1. A higher rate of pattern hair loss for the immigrating family’s children
2. Earlier onset pattern hair loss amongst children (typically onsetting 10+ years earlier than when the mother/father experienced it)

In my opinion, the connecting point is insulin insensitivity as a result of dietary and environmental changes: more processed foods, higher amounts of sugar, less sleep, etc. These things all increase insulin resistance, which (if chronic) can dysregulate both androgen and estrogen production. Pre-puberty and puberty are particularly sensitive times here, so if androgen activity (and thereby 5-alpha reductase, androgen receptors, etc.) are imprinted as more “turned on” during pubertal development, these effects likely carry over into the hair follicles and someone’s predisposition for male and female pattern hair loss.

In these cases, diet / environmental changes would be considered an accelerator of AGA.

Best,
Rob

How would then explain the fact that Asians have a lower indicende of male pattern baldness than the wester world, but when they move and adopt the western diet it evens out?

Thanks.

suspend PUFA, increase Sattured fatty acids and stop with grain and wheat products helped me a lot. I;m still in the process

Personally, it has somewhat shifted my views on carbs (which in other diets are usually portrayed as evil). Would love to hear if you have any thoughts on their diet approach (especially the carbs angle)?

Thanks!
Ron