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The #1 Worst Food to Eat for Hair Loss, Says Dietitian

This healthy food can also cause some unwanted side effects.

Hair loss is a natural part of the aging process, but it can be incredibly frustrating. It can be especially tough to cope with when it's caused by things that are difficult or impossible to change, such as genetics, stress, and certain necessary medications.

Thankfully though, there are certain foods you can eat, exercises you can do, and supplements you can take that may help. And to get to the bottom of the foods you may want to avoid when you're struggling with hair loss, we talked with Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at GoWellness. And the answer may surprise you!

According to D'Angelo, some of the worst foods to eat for hair loss are tuna, swordfish, shark, or king mackerel. Here's why, and for more healthy eating tips make sure to check out The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

Canned white chunk tuna
Shutterstock

First, it's important to note that fish is packed full of health benefits. For example, fatty fish have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, an improvement in cognitive health, and have even been known to help with depression symptoms.

And while fish can do wonders for your health, it is important to know about the potential risks in eating too much of certain kinds of fish, especially with their higher levels of mercury.

"High levels of mercury have been linked to hair loss, and these fish mentioned above have higher mercury levels than other seafood options," says D'Angelo. "Stay clear of fish like swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and even some tuna to avoid greater hair loss."

If you are experiencing hair loss right now, you could also try incorporating more vitamins or nutrients into your diet. You could start with a multivitamin, and research has even suggested that vitamin D supplements may help with hair loss as well.

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Samantha Boesch
Samantha was born and raised in Orlando, Florida and now works as a writer in Brooklyn, NY. Read more about Samantha