Hair loss, or lack of hair growth, is one of the most common concerns that I see in my office. Many women, of varying ages, are suffering from thinning hair. There are a few times in life when hair changes are considered normal

• Pregnancy- High levels of estrogen prolong the growth phase of the hair, resulting in less shedding and thicker hair
• Postpartum- Once hormone levels return to pre-pregnancy levels, a large shedding of hair happens. This usually occurs between 3-6 months postpartum. These are all the hairs that were in the prolonged growth phase while pregnant

Women may lose up to 100 hairs per day, but it is not normal to notice an overall thinning of your hair!

Common Causes of Hair Thinning

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)- Hair is often thinning in a “male pattern”: the crown of the head, the front hair line, and the top of the head. This is due to excessive testosterone levels. For more info on PCOS, click here
• Thyroid Problems- Hair often thins evenly over the scalp. Your thyroid is involved in the process of hair growth and an under functioning thyroid gland essentially slows down the speed at which your hair grows, and leads to more hair loss. For more info on an under functioning thyroid gland, click here.
• Low Iron- Also known as anemia. When your body does not have enough iron, there is not enough hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to our cells. Without adequate oxygen, proper hair growth is not stimulated. I always measure ferritin (the stored form of iron, AKA how much money you have still in the bank). Ferritin levels need to be at least 60 for optimal hair growth.
• Birth Control- Many women who are sensitive to hormones have a large shed when stopping the birth control pill. This happens because when you are on birth control, you are given extra estrogen. Estrogen fuels hair growth. When you stop, more hair goes into a shedding cycle. When with a large post birth control pill hair shed should be investigated for PCOS, as the birth control pill masks PCOS symptoms.

Hair follicles have a high turnover rate. That is why when people are under going chemotherapy, their hair often falls out. Chemotherapeutics attack rapidly dividing cells: cancer cells, reproductive cells and hair follicles. Having a high cell turnover rate means that hair follicles require excellent nutrition to keep pace with the demand for hair growth.

Top Nutrients for Hair Growth

• Iron- Women who are menstruating need to consume 18 mg/day. Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency that I see in my practice among women. Food Sources: red meat, spinach, lentils, sesame seeds, and leafy greens
• Protein- A deficiency in the amino acid lysine has been shown to increase hair shedding. Did you know lysine is also used to prevent and treat cold sores?! Food Sources: beef, eggs, chicken, pork, pumpkin seeds, and beans
• Omega 3’s- Contribute to scalp health, and can help down regulate androgens like testosterone, which lead to an increase in hair shedding. Food Sources: fish, fish oil
• Niacin- A member of the family of B vitamins, niacin is depleted by taking the birth control pill. Food Sources: liver, chicken, tuna, turkey and salmon
• Selenium- A critical nutrient for optimal thyroid health. It is important to not supplement with selenium without the advice of a medical practitioner, as too much can be toxic to the thyroid gland. Food Sources: Brazil nuts, tuna, pork, beef, turkey, chicken
• Biotin- Another one of the B vitamins, biotin is linked to keratin production. Food Sources: liver, egg yolk, avocado and salmon.

It takes up to 3-4 months to notice changes in your hair because of the length of the hair growth and shedding cycles. If you are already eating many of the foods listed above, and are still experiencing hair loss, it is time to book an appointment with Dr Alexis for an assessment!

Have/Do you suffer from hair loss?

Dr Alexis

Dr Alexis practices in Kanata and is currently accepting new patients.

Naturopathic Medicine is covered by most extended health benefits.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is not a whole lot of fun. It typically presents as a red, scaly itchy rash that likes to appear on the creases of the elbows, the backs of the knees, behind the ears, on the face, on the hands. Eczema is quite common in babies and can be found anywhere on the body. It is a form of chronic inflammation of the skin.

5 Foods That Can Make Eczema Worse

1) Dairy- The proteins found in dairy (casein and whey) are the triggers for eczema. It is not an issue with lactose (as in a lactose intolerance) and eating lactose free dairy does not help. Elimination of all dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter) for 3 weeks should lead to improvement

2) Eggs- Are the second most common food sensitivity in children under 4 and is associated with eczema. Eliminate egg whites and yolks for 3 weeks. Eggs are often hidden in a lot of foods. For a handout on hidden sources of eggs please send me email to alexis@ecochicmovement.com

3) Gluten- Also present in many foods in hidden forms. Eliminate for 3 weeks

4) Tomatoes-Can be very inflammatory to young children’s skin, especially if eaten frequently

5) Citrus- Has similar effects as tomatoes in young children

If you wish to have Food Sensitivity Testing done, instead of doing trial eliminations, book an appointment with Dr Alexis 

Tips To Calm The Itch

1) Oatmeal- Take 1 cup of NON quick cook oats and place in the foot of a pantyhose. Steep in approximately 1 L of boiling water for 5-10 min. Allow to cool, and add to bath. Bathing should be a infrequent as possible, and definitely not daily.

2) Oil- Add a few drops of our Baby Oil to bath water to help keep their skin hydrated

3) Quality Moisturizer- A natural moisturizer (petroleum free) should be applied to the affected areas. Ingredients to look for are: Shea Butter, Calendula and Aloe. Keeping the barrier of your child’s skin intact is very important. If the skin is raw and broken with eczema, proteins can pass into the bloodstream making the child more likely to develop food allergies. This phenomenon is known as “leaky skin”. It is a good idea to use a good barrier cream all over the body, like a Body Butter with Shea Butter, and to use our Skin Condition Cream for spot treating the eczema

5 Strategies To Reduce Eczema Flares

1) Food- Eliminate foods that can make eczema worse. Increase intake fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

2) Vitamin D- Can be directly supplemented by the child.

3) Bacteria!- Pre and Probiotics! Research indicates that fructooligosaccharide is the most effective probiotic while Lactobacillus rhamnosus is the most effective probiotic. If mom is still breastfeeding, she will supplement.

4) Nature- Exposure to different bacteria in nature has been shown to reduce the severity of eczema. Exposure to farm animals and forest has been shown to be most beneficial.

5) Chemical Reduction- Chemical exposures from pesticides, skincare products, cleaning products can interact with proteins in the body, initiating an allergic response which can result in eczema.

Eczema can cause quite a bit of stress for parents. If you are suffering from eczema or having to watch your child suffer it is a good idea to see a naturopathic doctor and get a treatment plan tailored to you. Eczema is something that can be overcome usually with some fairly simple interventions. Please speak to your health care provider before starting any new medication or supplements

Any questions or comments, post below and I will be happy to address them

Dr Alexis

Dr Alexis practices in Kanata, and is currently accepting new patients.

Naturopathic medicine is covered by most extended insurance benefits