Is there a connection between hair loss and kidney deficiency?

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, hair loss and kidney health are essentially linked. It is believed that the kidney stores essence, controls reproduction, and its essence is in the hair. That is to say, when the kidney is deficient, the body's blood circulation will deteriorate, which will affect the nutrient delivery of hair follicles, thereby affecting the growth of hair quality, and ultimately leading to hair loss. Therefore, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, strengthening kidney conditioning on a regular basis is helpful in preventing hair loss.

Is there a connection between hair loss and kidney deficiency?

"Kidney deficiency can indeed cause hair loss." The expert explained that Chinese medicine believes that the kidney is the foundation of one's innate nature. "The kidney stores essence, controls reproduction, and its beauty is in the hair." If the kidneys are deficient, the blood circulation throughout the body will be weak, and it will be unable to transport nutrients to the highest point of the human body, the "top of the head". The hair follicles on the head will not be nourished and will gradually atrophy, causing hair loss.

However, hair loss is not necessarily caused by kidney deficiency. In addition to kidney deficiency, damp heat, blood deficiency, and liver depression can also lead to hair loss. In addition, hair loss is divided into different situations. Some hair loss is pathological and is caused by disease.

Some hair loss is caused by genetic or hormonal reasons, while some hair loss is caused by alopecia areata. Patients will not only have symptoms of hair loss, but in severe cases, hair in other parts of the body may also fall out. Mental factors, fungal infections, genetics, endocrine system, etc. can cause hair loss, and even shampoos and conditioners can cause hair loss.

Blindly replenishing the kidneys will bring some adverse consequences to the body, such as dry mouth, high blood pressure, irritability, etc. Even kidney deficiency can be divided into kidney yin deficiency and kidney yang deficiency, and the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of the two are different. If you have kidney yin deficiency but use kidney-tonifying and yang-enhancing medicines, it will be like adding fuel to the fire; if you have kidney yang deficiency but use kidney yin-tonifying medicines, it will make the situation worse and aggravate the condition. Therefore, it is extremely irrational to replenish the kidneys when suffering from hair loss.

There are also standards for hair loss in clinical practice. Under normal circumstances, it is normal for an adult to lose 30 to 100 hairs a day. If you find that you are losing significantly more hair than usual and it lasts for more than 1 to 2 months, or if you are losing hair in clumps, you need to pay attention.

1. Protein-rich foods

The main component of hair is protein, so the human body must have sufficient protein to ensure healthy hair growth. Generally speaking, the protein we consume from our daily diet is enough to meet our needs, but some people who lose weight excessively, are malnourished or picky eaters may suffer from protein deficiency. At this time, they should supplement with more protein-rich foods such as beef and eggs.

2. Foods containing iron

According to clinical studies, people with hair loss often have a lack of iron in their bodies. Therefore, patients with hair loss can add some iron appropriately. Foods rich in iron include spinach, bananas, black beans, shrimp, eggs, carrots, hairtail, cooked peanuts, soybeans, carp and potatoes, etc.

3. Foods containing vitamin E

Adding vitamin E can help resist hair aging, promote rapid cell division, and help hair growth. Foods rich in vitamin E include fresh lettuce, cabbage and black sesame, etc.

4. Foods containing iodine

The glossiness of hair is related to the thyroid gland in the body, and adding iodine can help enhance the secretory function of the thyroid gland, which is beneficial to the health of hair. Foods containing iodine include kelp, seaweed and oysters, etc.