Health Q&A: low-carbohydrate diet and hair loss

Is there any link between diet and hair loss? I have been following a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet (a version of Atkins) for the past few months and although I have lost weight my hair has become thinner. Is there anything else I can do to help hair loss with either diet or treatments? THE GP Rupal Shah It sounds as though you have telogen effluvium, a common type of hair loss that can occur as a result of sudden weight loss. The good news is that it is reversible, usually within a few months. In the meantime, try to eat a balanced diet and avoid stress. Low iron levels can be linked with hair loss, so it may be worth checking that you are not anaemic. Consider seeing your GP for extra tests if the situation isn’t improving. THE NUTRITIONALTHERAPIST Melanie Brown About 10 per cent of people on carb exclusion diets experience hair loss, possibly due to a lack of nutrients like B vitamins and silica. Some believe that the 'stress’ of ketosis (the mechanism by which fat is burned) causes hair loss. When removing a major food group it is essential to replace nutrients found easily in grains and fruit and not just eat steak and cream! Take some dietary advice so you get it right. THE REGISTERED DIETICIAN Nigel Denby Hair loss can be caused by a number of things including stress and anxiety, but the most likely dietary cause is a lack of iron. Your high-protien diet means you should have been eating plenty of red meat and eggs, but I wonder if you’ve been getting enough Vitamin C which helps the body absorb iron. Try to eat tomatoes, oranges or other fruits rich in vitamin C. It’s also worth noting that high protien diets don’t suit everyone and this could be a side effect.