Can Eating Oatmeal Improve Hair Loss?

Hair loss can occur for a number of reasons: genetically determined alopecia, severely damaging hair treatments or extensions, a hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle factors such as dietary habits. Specifically, a diet lacking essential vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds can cause malnutrition, which, in turn, may lead to hair loss. Eating oatmeal provides a healthy start to your day, and adding nutrient-packed foods to your oatmeal may help with nutrient deficiency-related hair loss.

Add nuts to your oatmeal to help combat hair loss. Healthy hair relies on nutrients called omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats required as part of your diet. Failure to eat enough omega-3 fatty acids can lead to defects in hair growth; increasing your intake of these nutrients may relieve hair disorders, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Walnuts provide an especially rich source of omega-3s, so adding 1 oz. of the nuts to your oatmeal may help fight hair loss.

Top your oatmeal with berries, such as strawberries or blueberries. These fruits contain vitamin C, an essential nutrient, and a vitamin required for maintaining your hair. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, vitamin C deficiencies can cause scurvy, a disorder that leads to hair loss, as well as abnormal bruising and joint pain 1. Adding berries to your oatmeal also imparts sweetness and flavor, all while helping to prevent or treat vitamin C deficiency-related hair loss.

Fight hair loss by adding pumpkin to your oatmeal. Pumpkin contains a number of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, or retinol. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin A helps hair development and maintenance, so vitamin A deficiencies may lead to hair loss 1. Prepare pumpkin pie oatmeal by adding 4 oz. of pureed pumpkin and 1 tsp. of pumpkin spice to your oatmeal before serving, to consume vitamins that support hair growth.