Is There A Link Between Gluten and Hair Loss : Hair loss is actually a more complicated phenomenon than what most people imagine. This is because there are many contributing causes. And a growing number of people believe that gluten may be a possible variable which leads to unwanted shedding. So far, the evidence for this is inconclusive. But some individuals report that their hair grew back after eliminating gluten from their diet. Therefore, it may be important for individuals to educate themselves about all potential factors which may be responsible for their condition, advises Dr.

Possible Link Between Gluten and Hair Loss: What Is Gluten ?

Gluten is a composite of different proteins. It is found most commonly in wheat, as well as barley, rye and triticale. Experts believe that other grains, like rice, contain gluten as well. However, the characteristics of gluten which seem to be associated with health issues typically come from wheat.

Is There A Link Between Gluten and Hair Loss? Types of Gluten Intolerance

Adverse reactions to gluten typically result from different forms of intolerance to this protein composite. These include:

(1) Celiac’s disease (The only know situation confirming a link between Glutein and hair loss)

In Celiac’s disease, gluten will trigger immune responses where unusually strong antibodies are released. These antibodies will cause the villi of the small intestines to atrophy. At a certain point, the walls of the intestines becomes quite permeable. This causes various proteins and partially digested food matter to enter the blood stream.

Also, this condition causes the individual to become unable to properly absorb key nutrients.

To determine if a person has Celiac’s disease, Dr. U explains that a physician will administer blood tests to detect the presence of antibodies to gluten. If results are positive, the patient may need to undergo an endoscopy to look for evidence of damage to the small intestines induced by gluten.

(2) Wheat allergies (Does not show a link between glutein and hair loss)

Wheat may cause some people to release high amounts of histamine. In an allergic response, the allergan causes the release of antibodies (e.g. immunoglobulin E, also known as IgE) which attach themselves to mast cells.These cells will then release a chemical called histamine which is responsible for many forms of allergic reactions.

Typical responses include: watery itchy eyes and runny noses. Histamine can also affect the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, skin and respiratory system.

In wheat allergies, individuals will experience immediate reactions which include:

stomach pain
hives

This is very different from Celiac’s Disease where there is not an immediate reaction.

(3) Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (Does not show link between glutein and hair loss)

With this condition, individuals will test negative for both Celiac’s disease and wheat allergies. However, based on their experiences, they may feel that certain health conditions result from the consumption of gluten.

To test for this general condition, the individual will go on a program to eliminate gluten from the diet. And the occurrence of positive improvements is sufficient to support the existence of (non- Celiac) gluten sensitivity

Link Between Gluten and Hair Loss

Since Celiac’s Disease can result in a malabsorption of nutrients, this can impact the hair follicles. Poor nutrition is a form of stress which may cause these structures to enter the telogen resting phase. And in some people, noticeable hair loss may occur about three months later. Thus the link between glutein and hair loss is indirect and a problem in people with glutein sensitivity resulting in celiac malabsorption.

One user on the forum, Hair Loss Talk, describes the fact that he was at the Norwood 2 level of baldness. And he had always had thin hair with the inability to grow a beard. After he was diagnosed with Celiac’s disease, he decided to switch to a gluten free diet. Soon thereafter, he started noticing new growth in his hairline as well as the beard regions on his face! According to his testimony, what appeared to be male pattern baldness was actually a gluten intolerance confirming an indirect link between glutein and hair loss.

In the case of wheat allergies, histamine may disrupt blood flow to the capillaries which normally supplies oxygen and nutrition to the hair follicles. And this can certainly lead to shedding.

Although hair loss from food allergies is believed to be rare by most medical experts, it is not an impossibility.

So far, it is estimated that nearly 10-15% of the population suffers from some type of gluten intolerance. And beyond these statistics, many people continue to remain undiagnosed.

Non-Celiac Gluten sensitivity can be thought of as more of a catch-all category, as opposed to a distinct and specific disorder. Individuals may notice that certain symptoms manifest shortly after they consume a product made from wheat or other ingredient containing gluten. And when they change their diet to eliminate gluten, they are able to experience the improvement that they had sought.

There are many symptoms associated with gluten intolerance. And hair loss is certainly included in this list.

Possible Link Between Gluten and Hair Loss — Gluten which is found in wheat may be linked to certain forms of hair loss (Flickr- Creative Commons)*

Diet and Loss of Hair

According to statistics, only 1% of the population can be accurately said to have a food allergy. And most medical experts feel that the connection between specific foods and hair loss is rather weak and may be caused by more of an indirect relationship.

Individuals with food allergies often have related conditions which affect the hormones. Examples include:

(1) adrenal fatigue

(2) thyroid disorders

Changes in hormonal levels are more likely to affect hair loss.

Since individuals with food allergies often avoid eating certain items, they may also suffer from nutritional deficiencies. And this can also lead to hair loss.

Furthermore, food allergies may be linked an auto-immune reaction known as alopecia areata where the hair follicles are attacked, leading to the loss of hair.

According to Dr. U, hair loss should really be examined and addressed on an individual basis. There are many factors that contribute to shedding, thinning and baldness. And different people will experience them in different degrees. So just because a certain causal variable may have a very low probability of occurring, it does not mean that it should be completely ruled out.

Hair loss due to food allergies is actually a rather common phenomenon in pets, according to PetMD.com. But it can also occur in humans too. So men and women should accept this as a possibility.

Hair loss sufferers may want to closely monitor their diet and strive for long term healthy eating habits. Even if they are not allergic to foods or have a gluten intolerance, it is still possible that nutritional deficiencies may be exacerbating their condition.

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