Coming to terms with hair loss is not always easy, as it is associated it with old age and the fear that we will no longer be attractive to the opposite sex.

There are many causes of baldness such as: iron deficiency, endocrine disorders, drugs, infections, immunological causes, traumas, rapid weight loss, anorexia, lack of essential fatty acids, protein deficiency and stress. Smoking cigarettes is another possible cause. According to researchers, smoking can damage the hair follicle and interfere with the way the blood and hormones circulate in the head. A study conducted in the National University of Taiwan, showed that smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day can lead to moderate or severe baldness.

So, how do you prevent hair loss?

* Diet: A proper diet is very helpful in the treatment and prevention of baldness. Protein, iron and cystine are particularly useful. For this reason it's important to consume a lot of poultry, fish, legumes, milk, cheese, whole grains, spinach and lentils. Moreover, vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron, so do try to combine foods that contain iron with foods that contain vitamin C, like oranges, peppers, broccoli, apples, potatoes, etc. Additionally, Vitamins B3, B6 and B9 assist in the formation of the amino acids that constitute the follicle. These vitamins are found in eggs, red meat, dried fruit, wholegrain cereals and yogurt.
* Melatonin: A well-known substance called melatonin seems to have the capacity to drastically reduce hair loss. The natural reserves of this substance in our bodies are reduced dramatically, as we get older. According to recent scientific studies not only does melatonin affect the pineal gland in the brain, but also our skin and follicles. In combination with biotin, a very important vitamin, it protects the roots of our hair from environmental factors and prevents them from becoming thinner. Melatonin has strong antioxidant properties and its effect on baldness has been studied extensively. In particular, the effect of melatonin in hair follicles has been studied for 15 years, in research programs conducted in dermatology centers and university clinics in Europe and the U.S, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and the dermatological clinic of the University Hospital of Zurich.

In 2005, a double-blind study of 40 women demonstrated that if melatonin is used externally it can positively affect growth. The growth of hair in women who received melatonin was significantly higher compared to women taking the placebo. In women with intense alopecia in the front and on top of the head, the effect was particularly evident.