Ayurveda linked gut health with hair fall long ago: Expert decodes science behind connection
New Delhi: Ayurveda has long associated digestive health with healthy hair, suggesting that poor gut function can eventually affect hair growth. While this connection has been part of traditional medicine for centuries, modern research is now exploring what scientists call the “gut-hair axis”, the relationship between gut health, nutrient absorption and hair health.
Doctor says digestive disorders that interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients may contribute to hair thinning and excessive hair loss, although research into the gut-hair connection is still evolving. In a communication with News9 Digital, Dr Saad Anwar, Senior Consultant – Gastro Surgery at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Kanpur, explained how gut health may influence hair growth and why persistent hair fall should not be ignored.
Dr Saad Anwar explained, “Healthy hair depends on the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients efficiently. Hair follicles are highly metabolically active and require adequate amounts of iron, zinc, protein, vitamin B12, folic acid and several other nutrients to support normal hair growth.”
He stated that digestive disorders such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic gastritis and severe gut inflammation can interfere with nutrient absorption, increasing the risk of hair thinning, excessive hair loss and damage to the hair shaft.
“Hair follicles have high metabolic activity and need to receive sufficient amounts of iron, zinc, protein, vitamin B12, folic acid and other nutrients. Diseases such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic gastritis and severe gut inflammation impair nutrient absorption and lead to hair thinning, excessive hair loss and hair damage,” said the senior consultant.
Dr Anwar added that the gut influences much more than digestion. The community of beneficial microbes living in the digestive tract also plays a role in regulating inflammation, immune function, stress hormones and hormone metabolism, all of which may affect the hair growth cycle.
However, he cautioned against assuming that improving gut bacteria alone can reverse hair loss.
“The ‘gut-hair axis’ is a relatively new area of study, and there is not enough evidence yet that taking probiotics can reverse hair loss.”
He advised that people experiencing persistent or unexplained hair fall should undergo a proper medical evaluation rather than relying on supplements or over-the-counter products alone.
According to Dr Anwar, doctors may investigate underlying nutritional deficiencies and medical conditions by checking complete blood count (CBC), iron levels, vitamins B12 and D, zinc levels, thyroid function, hormone profile, as well as screening for coeliac disease and other gastrointestinal disorders where appropriate.
He emphasised that identifying and treating the underlying cause remains the most effective approach to managing unexplained hair loss.