DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Hair Loss Linked to Diet, Not Just Genes, Japanese Doctor Says

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Japanese doctor Tetsuya Iseyo identifies three dietary habits that increase hair loss risk and three that promote hair health.
  • High-glycemic index foods like udon and ramen, excessive animal fats, and alcohol can damage blood vessels and hinder hair growth.
  • Ginger, oily fish, and dark chocolate are recommended for improving blood circulation and scalp health.

Hair loss is not solely determined by genetics, according to Japanese physician Tetsuya Iseyo. He points to everyday dietary choices as significant factors affecting scalp and hair follicle health. Iseyo identifies specific foods that can increase the risk of hair loss by impairing blood circulation.

Hair loss is not just a genetic problem; daily diet can also affect scalp and hair follicle health. Udon and ramen increase the risk of hair loss.

— Tetsuya IseyoIntroduction to the article's findings on diet and hair loss.

Among the culprits are udon and ramen noodles. Udon is a high-glycemic index food that causes rapid blood sugar spikes and drops, which can damage blood vessel linings and prevent hair follicles from receiving adequate nutrients. Ramen exacerbates this issue with refined noodles and high-salt, high-fat broths, doubling the impact on blood vessels.

Foods that hinder blood circulation increase the risk of hair loss.

— Tetsuya IseyoGeneral principle linking diet to hair loss.

Excessive consumption of animal fats is also flagged for raising LDL cholesterol, accelerating blood vessel aging, and worsening blood flow. Furthermore, these fats can interfere with male hormone metabolism, contributing to hair loss. Alcohol is another dietary factor, as its metabolite acetaldehyde depletes amino acids essential for hair growth and promotes DHT, a hormone linked to male pattern baldness.

Udon is a high-GI food that causes blood sugar to spike and then drop rapidly, damaging the inner walls of blood vessels, so the scalp and hair follicles cannot get nutrients.

— Tetsuya IseyoExplanation of why udon contributes to hair loss.

Conversely, Iseyo recommends ginger for its ability to improve blood circulation, ensuring nutrients reach the hair matrix cells. Ginger's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also slow scalp aging and reduce issues like itching and dandruff. Oily fish such as sardines and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which maintain blood fluidity and promote scalp microcirculation. Finally, dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more) offers polyphenols that boost blood flow and theobromine, which can alleviate stress and reduce scalp inflammation.

Too much meat with excessive animal fat increases LDL cholesterol in the blood, accelerates blood vessel aging, and worsens blood flow.

— Tetsuya IseyoExplanation of the impact of animal fats on blood vessels and hair loss.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog