Woman Writing Candace Hoffmann

Posted By candace on April 25, 2008

To continue to beat a hopefully dead horse, the FDA warning about Total Body is a good example of the care people must take with even so-called “natural” or “nutritional” products when it comes to their health.

Selenium is an essential nutrient necessary for good health. In fact, research suggests people with high levels of selenium in their bodies seem to resist certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer. Does this mean we should all start popping Selenium tablets? Absolutely not. Should we make sure our diets are well-balanced and include foods such as tuna, turkey, eggs and other foods containing selenium? Absolutely.

In my book, Breaking the Silence on Women’s Hair Loss, I outline a number of prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as nutritional supplements that can cause hair loss. Everything can have a side effect. If you notice a new or unusual amount of shedding consider anything new your started taking over the past three to six months. Have you starting taking anything a new vitamin, herb, OTC med or prescription med? Have you radically altered your diet in some way — gone vegan, cut out red meat, started eating only soy, or some new alteration? If so, it could be correlated to your increased hair loss.

If you suspect a prescription medication or even an OTC med recommended by your physician, do not stop taking it without consulting her. I read one blog on the Internet where a woman was cutting back on her thyroid medication, Synthroid, to see if her hair loss abated. Changing her dosage without a physician’s guidance could be very dangerous and hair loss could end up being the least of her problems.

Whatever you are taking, read the package inserts to see if hair loss is listed as a possible side effect. Also, always tell your physician about your basic diet as well as all supplements and medications you are taking. And, do tell your physician that you have a concern about your hair loss. If the loss is new, more than likely it is a temporary hair loss and changing a medication, or stopping a dietary supplement will correct the problem. If you already are dealing with hair loss, tell your physician it is a concern and make sure it is at the top of his “To Do” list to make sure there is not some underlying condition causing it or to ensure you are getting the best help to correct it.

Have a great hair day!

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Category: FDA Warnings, General, Hair Loss
Tags: diet, Hair Loss, herb, OTC medications, prescription medication, selenium, synthroid, thyroid, vitamin