PREVENT HAIR LOSS WITH FOOD: 6 DIET CHANGES TO MAKE

Fish, Eggs and Beans Hair is primarily made of protein; therefore, it makes sense to eat a protein-rich diet if you're trying to maintain your healthy hair. However, eating a steak every day isn't going to help you. High-fat diets result in increased testosterone levels, which have actually been linked to hair loss. Stick to leaner proteins such as fish (which has myriad health benefits beyond just maintaining your hair), chicken, calf's liver, brewer's yeast, low-fat cheese, eggs, almonds, beans and yogurt. Soy milk and tofu are also smart to add to your diet because they are high in protein and low in bad fats.

Raisins Iron plays a key role in manufacturing hemoglobin, the part of the blood that carries oxygen to your body's organs and tissues. When your hemoglobin is at a healthy level, oxygen is properly dispersed. This means your scalp is getting a good flow of blood, which will stimulate and promote hair growth. Adding more iron to your diet doesn't mean you have to feast on liver day in and day out, but when you're craving something sweet, remember that dried fruits (like raisins) and cherry juice are packed with iron. Eggs; dates; raisins; dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale; and whole-grain cereals are all high in iron. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron, so fruits such as oranges, strawberries and lemons should also make your grocery list.

Bean Sprouts Silica may not be a word you commonly hear associated with diet (or foods that prevent hair loss, for that matter). But if you're looking to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, silica needs to be on your menu. The body uses silica to absorb vitamins and minerals; if you're not consuming silica, eating your vitamins might not be helping much. Silica can be found in bean sprouts and the skin of cucumbers, red and green peppers, and potatoes. Remember, when you eat these foods raw, as opposed to cooked, you're getting more nutritional value out of them.

Seafood Many men who suffer from hair loss are found to have zinc deficiencies. Zinc plays a key role in many of the body's functions, from cell reproduction to hormonal balance, and all of these functions affect hair growth. Perhaps most importantly, zinc manages the glands that attach to your hair follicles. When you're low on zinc, these follicles become weak, causing strands to break off or fall out. To combat this problem, eat zinc-heavy foods such as red meats, poultry, mussels, shrimp, nuts and oysters. Excessive amounts of zinc can eventually lead to hair loss, so it's best to stick to a zinc-heavy diet rather than eat these foods and take a zinc supplement.

Potatoes It may be tempting to eat fast food, but greasy foods are among the worst culprits for hair loss. If you have a craving for a burger and fries, your best bet is to cook the burger yourself and dice, season, and bake some potato wedges (leaving the skins on) to go along with it. Try to limit your intake of excessively cold, spicy and sugary foods as well. These can tax your body, and when your body's fighting something unhealthy, it's not functioning at its peak level.

A Balanced Diet Just as your overall health will benefit from eating a balanced diet, so, too, should the health of your hair. Once it's gone, it's gone, so don't put foods in your body that speed up hair loss. You may be experiencing a thinning on top already, but you can counteract this (or at least slow it down) by eating from every food group daily -- concentrating on foods that are rich in protein, iron, silica and zinc.