The Benefits of a Vegan Diet for Hair Growth – A Scientific Review

Plant-based diets including vegetarianism and veganism have been around for thousands of years, though they have more recently begun to gain popularity with the general public.

A plant-based diet can have a wide array of health benefits for its followers which is why it seems its popularity has grown so quickly (1). From the treatment of hypertension and high cholesterol to its positive effects on mental health, there is no shortage of benefits offered by veganism.

This article will introduce the vegan diet and the many ways in which it contributes to a healthy hair growth cycle. This will include a look at the scientific studies to back these claims.

An Introduction to the Vegan Diet

The vegan diet, also known as veganism, is an eating plan that involves abstaining from the consumption of meat, fish, and animal products including eggs and dairy. Veganism is the strictest variety of vegetarianism.

The majority of this diet focuses on fresh produce and whole grains, but it also includes legumes, nuts, and seeds. While sometimes considered controversial, this diet has been shown to reduce the risk of various health conditions and even prevent obesity (2, 3).

The Benefits of a Vegan Diet for Hair Growth

Veganism offers many health benefits, but one benefit that is often overlooked is its role in hair growth. Here is a closer look at how a vegan diet can improve your overall health and, less directly, your scalp and hair.

1: It Lowers Blood Pressure

Did you know that individuals with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) than their non-AGA counterparts? While the link is not entirely known, the newest research on the topic suggests that a mutation of the Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 (FGF5) gene may be the cause (4).

Various genes play a role in the hair growth process. FGF5 is one such gene, and its major contribution is in the determination of hair length in humans.

However, this gene has also been implicated in the development of hypertension (5).

All of this is to say there is a link between pattern hair loss and hypertension. So if AGA patients are at a higher risk of hypertension, it makes sense to lower that risk by combating hypertension and perhaps also interrupting the progression of AGA.

One way to achieve this is with a diet change. More specifically, with a plant-based diet.

A vegan diet has been shown to reduce the risk of hypertension by up to 75% when compared to an omnivorous diet (6). This is even better results than a vegetarian diet which reduces the risk by up to 55%.

2: It Reduces Inflammation

When inflammation occurs over a long period, it can be indicative of a deeper issue. For hair loss sufferers, this issue is likely to be sensitivity to DHT which occurs in the hair follicles.

In men and women with AGA, the hair follicles are sensitive to the androgen hormone DHT. This sensitivity leads to miniaturization which causes excessive shedding and eventual balding. If left untreated, the baldness that results can be permanent.

Reducing inflammation is the best way to combat AGA hair loss, and there are many ways for you to do so. These include blocking DHT and removing allergens from your environment. However, veganism is also a viable solution.

Plant-based diets such as veganism have been shown to reduce inflammation (7). The exact reason for this is unknown, but the reduction in inflammatory biomarkers including IL-6 and hs-CRP has shown these claims to be legitimate.

3: It Lowers Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels are an important indicator of health, but did you know that high cholesterol may contribute to the progression of hair loss?

A study published in 2002 showed that androgens can be produced from cholesterol (8). This means that high cholesterol levels may contribute to higher levels of androgens including DHT at the hair follicles.

This is bad news for anyone with AGA as the increased presence of DHT will trigger further miniaturization of the follicles and increase the rate of hair loss.

That is not to mention all of the poor health effects that high cholesterol levels can have on the body, including an increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) (9).

People who follow plant-based diets tend to have lower serum cholesterol (10). This is very likely due to a decrease in consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol and an increase in fiber (11).

4: It Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels

Blood sugar spikes and Insulin Resistance (IR) are hallmarks of metabolic conditions, but they also have an interesting link to hair loss (12).

The cause for this association is unknown, though one possible theory is that high blood sugar levels increase follicle sensitivity to DHT. And while certain conditions can make it difficult to get your blood sugar levels under control, one of the best ways to do so is with dietary changes.

Diets that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats and sodium are ideal for people with IR. One such way to achieve this is with the vegan diet (13).

Animal products contain saturated fats as well as cholesterol. These contribute to cardiovascular diseases and can make it difficult for anyone with IR to keep their blood sugar levels in check.

A healthy vegan diet though, which focuses on high-fiber and low-glycemic foods, can keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day. This will result in fewer spikes and a healthier lifestyle overall.

4 Tips for a Sustainable Vegan Diet

If you would like to make the switch to a vegan diet, you may be overwhelmed by the restrictions. However, it is possible to follow this eating plan for the long term if you follow the tips below.

1. Build Your Meals Around Protein

Protein is an important macronutrient – one that the body uses to build and repair tissues – and one that vegetarians and vegans must make a special effort to incorporate into their diet. Why? Because protein is found in higher amounts in meat, fish, and animal products than it is in produce and grains.

That does not mean that you still cannot get the appropriate protein intake on a vegan diet, though.

There are plenty of vegan foods that are high in protein. And when you build your meals around your protein sources, you will be sure to meet your Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) (14). A few of these foods include:

• Beans
• Lentils
• Nut butters
• Nuts and seeds
• Oats
• Tempeh
• Tofu
• Whole grains

If you find yourself struggling to consume your RDI on a regular basis, you can also incorporate smoothies into your routine. These delicious drinks can be packed full of protein-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, and even whole grains, and they’re also filling and easy to make.

2. Choose Whole Grains

Produce and grains tend to make up a large part of the vegan diet. But processed grains such as white bread and quick-cook oats do not contain all of the nutrients your body needs. That is where whole grains come in.

A whole grain is any cereal grain that contains all three original components: the endosperm, the germ, and the bran (15). This is in contrast to refined grains which only contain the endosperm.

Whole grains contain higher amounts of vitamins and proteins and the bran (the outside layer of the grain) contains protein and fiber. These will keep you full longer than refined grains as your blood sugar levels will remain stable for longer.

Whole grains also naturally contain iron which is often added to refined grains (known as fortification) after the refining process.

3. Stay Away From Prepared Foods

There is no doubt that prepared vegan meals – such as those found in the freezer aisle – have made the daily lives of vegetarians and vegans much easier. However, these meals tend to contain high levels of sodium and sugars and they do not offer the variety your diet needs.

While it is okay to rely on these meals every once in awhile, it is important not to make them a regular habit. Instead, you should focus on eating whole foods which can be found along the outer perimeter of the grocery store.

These include fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and whole grains such as quinoa, bulgur, millet, buckwheat, barley, and brown rice.

If you are still looking to have convenience during the busy weekdays, you can also prepare many of your meals beforehand and store them in the fridge (for up to three days) or in the freezer (for up to three months). You will still have the convenience of frozen dinners without the added sodium, sugars, and fats.

4. Make a Slow Transition

If you would like to get started with the vegan diet, it is best to begin by slowly incorporating more vegan-friendly foods to replace meat, fish, and animal products such as dairy and eggs.

While you can certainly make the transition quickly – cutting meat and animal by-products from your diet from the very start – this is not usually recommended. After all, it is easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged when you make such a drastic lifestyle change.

Instead, you should focus on including more vegan-friendly foods in your diet. These include:

• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Legumes
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Tofu
• Tempeh

One of the best ways to make this transition is to replace your usual meat-based meals with vegan recipes. You can even use meat replacements that are often found at health food stores if that makes the transition easier for you.

Remember that you want this to be a long-term change for you and, as such, you should go easy on yourself as you make the changes.

Precautions and General Warnings

The vegan diet is not for everyone, and it is best to speak with your physician before you make the change. This is especially true if you have a chronic medical condition that requires close monitoring, or if you have a history of anemia (low iron levels) or malnutrition.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important to speak with your obstetrician about your diet so they can monitor your nutrient and vitamin levels.

For men and women with hypo/hyperglycemia, it is important to continue to monitor your blood sugar levels. If you currently take any prescriptions for preexisting conditions, continue all medications (including those for blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Conclusion

While plenty of diet fads have come and gone in recent years, plant-based diets such as veganism have been around since antiquity. Veganism provides an array of positive health effects one of which is healthy hair growth.

The truth is that treating and reversing hair loss requires a lifestyle change overhaul. You must be committed to making lifelong changes – including the cessation of smoking and drinking and an improvement in your overall health – if you want to see positive results.

And while the vegan diet can help you to achieve a healthier body, it does not necessarily mean it is the right diet for you.