Can Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss, and it refers to the loss of hair from any part of the body.

Alcohol consumption affects the body in many ways, including our physical appearance. Drinking alcohol can even cause hair loss. 

Excessive alcohol intake can lead to loss of important nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium.  Both are important for maintaining and regrowing hair.

Studies show a strong connection between alcohol withdrawal and thyroid disorders.  Disease of the thyroid can lead to hair loss. 

Alcohol causes dehydration because it is a diuretic, a substance that increases salt and water loss from the body. This is why people wake up very thirty when hungover. Dehydration causes people to feel weak from loss of electrolytes and water from the body’s diuresis.

Drinking alcohol in excess can also lead to folate deficiency. Folate is vitamin B-9 and is important to our overall health. Folate deficiency causes graying of our hair. 

Alcohol consumption negatively affects our sleep by causing insomnia and preventing deep, restorative sleep.  This in turn leads to increased stress and resultant hair loss. 

Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to decreased testosterone and increased estrogen levels in men.  This change in normal hormonal balance leads to hair loss and poor hair growth. 

In order to prevent hair loss from alcohol: -Avoiding drinking in excess -Consume a nutrient-rich diet -Get adequate sleep every night

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