Question from Jeena: I have been going bald since I turned 40. I am constantly tired, putting on 
weight and losing hair. I have to brush my hair in a certain way to hide the baldness. What can I do?
These symptoms are not uncommon for a lot of women who are in their 40′s.
If you are eating well and using a non-harsh chemical shampoo it may be due to hypothyroidism or inactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the base of the neck that produces a number of thyroid hormones of which one is called “Thyroxine” or “T4″.Hair
Hair loss can be one of the first signs of an underactive thyroid. Because the thyroid affects your metabolism and cell growth, when the thyroid gland slows down, your hair loss speeds up. Your Doctor can organize a thyroid test or you can purchase a simple pinprick blood Home Kit. It costs £30.You can get this from us.
Also, check out if you are a pre-diabetic.
This means that you may have impaired glucose intolerance―blood glucose levels higher than normal, but not quite high enough to qualify you as a patient with Type 2 diabetes. A pre-diabetic condition can lead to many hormonal symptoms such as tiredness, increased belly fat and thinning of the hair. Start a low-glycemic and low-inflammation diet. Email us for a diet sheet.
AVOID simple carbohydrates, added sugar, alcohol and dairy.
Eat foods that are high in fibre, healthy in fats and high in protein. These foods will slow down the digestion process and in turn, result in a decrease in glucose and insulin spikes after each meal. This will not only help balance your hormones and give you a healthier head of hair but will also leave you feeling fuller longer and help you lose weight.
Sometimes an iron deficiency can be a cause.
Eat food rich in iron e.g. green leafy salads. Other essential nutrients for a healthy head of hair include biotin. You can get it from eating two eggs a day and Vitamin D, that can come from added sunshine or recommended supplements such as Nutrigro Hair Food Capsules or Noukrin capsules.
My 4 top foods to help boost the thyroid gland are:
1. Edible Seaweed – full of iodine-essential for a healthy thyroid gland-have 2 tablespoons daily.
2. Miso soup has a lot of zinc in it. Iodine and zinc work together to increase thyroid hormone production. Email for a quick Miso soup recipe with an Indian kick.
3. Vitamin A Foods can help rev up your thyroid just enough to get it functioning at a good level. Daily sources of vitamin A include ½ cup of sweet potatoes.
4. Selenium – 2 Brazil nuts daily will provide food for normal thyroid functioning.
