Can Intermittent Fasting Make You Go Bald?

Intermittent fasting (IF) is not usually directly associated with baldness, but there are indirect factors to consider.

Hair loss can be caused by multiple factors, and changes in diet or lifestyle can play a role. Hair needs essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, biotin, vitamins B, D, and protein. If IF leads to a deficiency of these nutrients (for example, due to insufficient or unbalanced nutrition during the eating windows), this can contribute to hair loss.

For some people, IF can cause stress, especially if the body has difficulty adjusting to the new eating routine. Chronic stress can increase the hormone cortisol, which can cause hair loss (for example, telogen effluvium, a stress-related form of hair loss).

IF can affect insulin levels, thyroid function, and other hormones, which can indirectly affect hair growth. For women, depending on the length and intensity of the fast, IF can affect hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can disrupt the hair cycle.

Sudden or extreme weight loss from IF can cause hair loss. This is often seen with telogen effluvium, where more hair than normal enters the resting phase of the hair cycle.

Intermittent fasting does not usually cause baldness outright, but can promote hair loss if it leads to nutrient deficiencies, increased stress, or sudden weight loss.

Source: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)01311-4

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-12-17 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024