While not all of us are endowed with a mane of gorgeous locks or silky lustrous hair, we all value our hair, and no matter how much we crib about, we'd be miserable if it were gone. Hair does add greatly to our appearance, and as self conscious thinking animals it's only natural for it to matter a lot to us. Hair loss can be extremely worrying, but it isn't necessarily always so.

On an average, there are at least 100,000 hairs on your scalp. Hair grows at the rate of approximately a centimeter a month in a normal cycle of hair growth. At any point in time, ninety percent of the hair on your head is actively growing, while the remaining ten percent is resting. This resting hair will fall out naturally in three to four months and be replaced by new hair that grows in its place. It is completely normal to have some amount of regular hair fall. However, in some cases, there is an abnormal rate of hair loss, with not enough new hair being produced to replace the amount that is lost. In such cases, this can lead to partial or total loss of hair or baldness. Medically, this condition is referred to as alopecia, but is also known as baldness, hair fall or hair loss. Hair loss can affect men, women, and even children.

There are different types of loss of hair depending on the cause of the hair fall. Androgenic alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness (for males) and Female Pattern Baldness (for women) are the most common types of hair loss. Largely due to genetics and heredity, androgenic alopecia is a permanent type of hair loss and is considered incurable by the medical fraternity. Other temporary types of hair loss may develop as a result of certain medications or illnesses and even stress. Once the underlying problem is treated, the hair loss stops and hair growth resumes at a normal rate.

Symptoms of Loss of Hair
Men who develop Male Pattern Baldness or androgenic alopecia see the symptoms in the form of a receding hairline early on in life. Following a receding hairline is a bald patch on the top of the head that may or may not increase in size as one ages. With Female Pattern Baldness, the hair loss is evident all over the head and there is an overall thinning of hair that can be very distressing to most women. Some types of hair loss are centered on small patches of hair, whereas others may affect large areas of the scalp.

Diet for Loss of Hair
Hair Loss can be aggravated and increase significantly in case of any nutritional deficiencies. Poor nutrition leads to weakened hair shafts, increased hair breakage and greater amount of hair loss. Malnutrition also affects the circulatory system and can prevent proper flow of blood to the hair cells. This in turn affects hair growth and can also increase the amount of hair loss. These problems can be treated with a proper balanced diet high in vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin A is essential for healthy hair cells and tissues and proper hair growth. In fact vitamin A deficiency can lead to dandruff and a buildup of dead hair cells on the scalp. In order to reach the recommended intake of vitamin A (5,000 IU), increase your intake of fruits and vegetables that are red, yellow or orange in color such as tomatoes and peppers. Some green leafy vegetables are also high in vitamin A. Apart from these you need to include foods such as liver, eggs, vitamin fortified milk and fish oil into your daily diet.

Vitamin B improves blood circulation and the formation of healthy red blood cells. When oxygen from the lungs is carried via the blood cells to the hair, it can improve the cells and tissues in the hair and prevent hair loss and improve hair growth. The best sources of natural vitamin B are chicken, fish, kidney, pork, liver, whole grains, cereals, and legumes. In addition, vitamin B6 supplements can also be added to your daily routine. Other vitamins such as vitamin C can boost immunity and improve hair health as well.

Folic acid is also responsible for healthy hair. You can meet your daily-recommended dose of folic acid by adding orange juice, leafy vegetables, beetroot, broccoli, liver, wheat germ, and some cereals to your diet.