Despite the fact that your condition may be hereditary, the way you live your life does make an impact on your hair loss. So take note of your diet and your stress levels and try to adapt the following guidelines into your lifestyle.

Diet

Disclaimer: The information here is intended as a general guideline only and should not be taken as an alternative to medication or advice from a health professional.

"Unless your diet is extremely deficient in carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and proteins, it will not cause hair loss.

But a poor diet may accelerate the rate at which Male Pattern Baldness progresses. An adequate intake of calories, a good daily vitamin/mineral supplement and the equivalent of three glasses of skim milk for essential proteins will provide all the nutrition necessary to prevent diet-induced acceleration of Male Pattern Baldness."

Managing Male Pattern Baldness.
James McSherry, Walter Unger
The Medical Post (pp. Q1-Q7)
April 27, 1999

What to Eat

Foods that are rich in iron and essential amino acids are important for fostering hair growth. So boost your intake of foods like:

• Lean red meat
• Offal (liver, kidneys, etc.)
• Fish
• Cheese

As well, increase your intake of secondary sources of iron, like:

• Eggs (yolks)
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Legumes (beans, lentils, etc.)

Vitamin C and folic acid also helps your body absorb the iron from your food.

Lifehealth: Keep your hair on.
Jane Clarke
The Observer - Life Page (p. 42)
August 22, 1999

Stress

Disclaimer: The information here is intended as a general guideline only and should not be taken as an alternative to medication or advice from a health professional.

"If hair loss is in your genes, stress can increase the production of androgens, the male sex hormones destined to kill your follicles. Reducing your stress levels might cut production of androgens and slow your hair loss, but it won't make a single hair grow back."

In Thickness And In Health - baldness may be your destination, but how long it takes to get there is optional
Martin Padgett Jr., Brett Bara
Men's Health (p. 64)
January 1, 1998

Stress-Busters

Too many late nights at the office, traffic jams and not enough hours in the day? Don't let stress get on top of you. These quick tricks can help calm you in minutes:

1. Breathe deeply. Inhale slowly and deeply, making sure that your belly rather than your chest rises. Hold, then exhale slowly. Pause, then repeat six times. You can do this anywhere—at your desk, sitting in traffic or waiting for a bus.
2. Take time out. Leave the office, go outside and get some fresh air or at least wander around. The change of scenery will clear your mind and do you the world of good.
3. Stretch. To reduce neck and shoulder tension: stand up straight, hands above your head and reach up; don't lock your knees; slowly bend forward from the waist and hold, with your hands hanging down; rise slowly; repeat three times. Mind your back.
4. Visualise. Sit or lie comfortably with your hands resting at your sides. Close your eyes and imagine you're in a calm place, e.g. by the sea or in the mountains. Imagine the sight, sound and smell of the place. After a few minutes, slowly open your eyes.
5. Try a relaxation exercise. Tense the muscles in your toes and feet, hold to the count of five then release. Then do the same for your calves, gradually working your way up the body to your face and neck muscles. Feel that tension melt away.