A healthcare worker is warning women that they may be making a protein-related dietary mistake that is preventing their hair from growing properly and causing it to become thinner.

Many people choose salads and blended drinks when they want to improve their health and look after their bodies.

However, this family doctor is urging women to think again about what they believe constitutes healthy eating, because these habits could be responsible for slow hair growth and reduced hair density.

Hair is made from a protein called keratin, which contains the elements hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

According to her, when protein consumption is too low, the body directs the nutrients it receives toward essential bodily functions, since staying alive takes priority over the condition of hair.

What amount of protein should women be consuming? Dietary advice

This physician recommends that proper protein consumption means approximately one gram per kilogram of body weight.

Consequently, a woman who weighs 65 kilograms ought to aim for 65 grams of protein each day, split between three meals.

She recommends adding eggs, chicken and turkey, fish and shellfish, thick dairy products, tofu and soy items, and beans and lentils to meals as practical ways to increase protein intake and encourage stronger hair growth.

She mentioned that this represents the protein mistake numerous women are making.

She asked whether people are eating salads every day for health reasons, noting this could be the reason their hair is becoming finer.

She sees this situation frequently in her clinic. Women are making deliberate attempts to eat healthily, consuming clean salads, smoothies, plenty of vegetables, yet wondering why their hair is falling out.

She emphasised that the key issue is that hair is made from protein, specifically keratin, and the body correctly focuses on survival rather than hair follicles.

When protein consumption is insufficient, the body will divert available nutrients toward necessary bodily processes, since hair growth is not something the body regards as essential.

What is needed is approximately one gram of protein for each kilogram of body weight.

This is the baseline minimum amount for example, someone weighing 65 kilograms would need 65 grams of protein daily.

The majority of women she assesses typically only manage to consume roughly half of this quantity.

Good choices include eggs, fish and seafood, chicken and turkey, and she is particularly fond of thick strained yogurt for breakfast.

Protein should be spread throughout the day rather than consumed in one large quantity during dinner.

If eating patterns have altered during the past half to full year and hair condition has changed in parallel, it is worth examining whether these might be connected.