Malnutrition often leads to hair thinning or loss. Seemingly healthy vegetarian diets that are lacking in protein or other diets too low in iron or zinc can also cause hair loss.

Even physician-approved diets can result in some hair thinning. The loss is gradual and diffuse and may not be noticed until nearly half of all hair is lost. This hair loss almost always reverses and results in hair regrowth when an adequate diet is restored.

For more information on Medical Causes of Hair Loss, request our free Medical Guide.

Information on this page, provided as a service by Peggy Knight Solutions, draws upon information from the following primary sources: the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.