Is Soy Consumption Behind Your Hair Loss Or Thyroid Problems?
Over the past 12 years since I began my all-encompassing study of hair I have discovered the absolute essential link to hair growth and hair loss to nutrition and vitamin supplements.
Of course there are very good foods and supplements to consume which will help grow lush long strands.
(Image of the book – the whole soy story from Amazon.com – All Rights Reserved).
On the flip side there are also foods which may accelerate hair loss and trigger hair loss.
Although a lot of research over the years with regard to hair have been found in hair related information sources, I have also discovered an amazing wealth of information through the natural health care arena.
One such resource is Dr. Mercola whose articles I read religiously to get a brand new point of professional health view and to always expand my thinking patterns.
Since 2008 I have been keenly aware of the growing body of evidence which links a high consumption of soy and soy related products to a list of health problems including thyroid problems linked to hair loss. Although the America public has been led to believe in the great benefits of soy consumption, as Dr. Mercola points out, the benefits may actually not exist.
(Image of soybeans – Image from Baltar – All Rights Reserved).
Dr. Mercola in one of his newsletters recommended Dr. Kaayla Daniel’s book, The Whole Soy Story and quoted her regarding soy consumption.
Dr. Daniel says “today’s high-tech processing methods not only fail to remove the anti-nutrients and toxins that are naturally present in soybeans but leave toxic and carcinogenic residues created by the high temperatures, high pressure, alkali and acid baths and petroleum solvents.”
She also points out the findings of numerous studies reviewed by her and other colleagues – that soy does not reliably lower cholesterol, and in fact raises homocysteine levels in many people, which has been found to increase your risk of stroke, birth defects, and yes: heart disease.
Common Health And Beauty Related Problems Attributed To Soy Diets
Other common health problems linked to a high-soy diet according to Dr. Daniel include:
•Thyroid problems, including weight gain, lethargy, malaise, fatigue, hair loss, and loss of libido
•Premature puberty and other developmental problems in babies, children and adolescents
•Cancer
•Brain damage
•Reproductive disorders
•Kidney stones
•Weakened immune system
•Severe, potentially fatal food allergies
(Image of soy noodles above – Alfredo9 – All Rights Reserved).
Most soy, perhaps about 80 percent or more, is also genetically modified, which adds its own batch of health concerns.
As always I believe everyone should make their own decisions about available information and research. Does soy consumption contribute to hair loss or other thyroid problems. Of course studies have shown that a under or overactive thyroid will contribute to a wide range of hair growth challenges including hair thinning.
Regardless of what I believe, do your own research and consider every possible connection since ultimately we are all 100% responsible for our own health, welfare and hair related issues.
(Image of Soybean Harvest – Papaleguas – All Rights Reserved)
While both medical and alternative physicians should always be consulted for their input ultimately you should consider all possibilities when trying to determine the best plan of nutrition for you, your family and your overall wellness.
Hair Thinning & Hair Loss & Other Hair Challenges
Of course hair thinning, hair loss or hair which is brittle and halted in a healthy growth pattern may indeed be somehow linked to the food you consume on an ongoing basis. Studies have proven the importance of vitamins, minerals and other supplements for skin, nail and hair health. Why not consider the actual foods you consume as well.
As always, my mission is to offer lots of alternative theories for others to evaluate and consider and form their own ultimate opinions.
More Information
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[...] Is Soy Consumption Behind Your Hair Loss Or Thyroid Problems … [...]
July 15th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Agreed – clumps of my hair falling out of my previously healthy scalp after 1 week of drinking soy milk daily.
After reading about the manufacturing process of soy milk I am not surprised.
Now I will switch back to regular milk.
July 15th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
thanks for that Sistah!! I’ve been harping on the dangers of Soy for over a year now. Good to know I’ve got some back up!!
luv ya
GWNN
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November 4th, 2009 at 11:26 am
For the past 19 years, I have probably consumed as much soy as anybody I know. As a vegan, I drink soymilk almost daily, I eat a large amounts of soy-based meats, I put soy sauce on a large percentage of my meals, I use soy-based vegetable spreads, and I eat tofu like it was going out of style. On average, soy is probably involved in 2 out of my 3 meals. Seriously, I love soy. But my hair is thick and grows much faster than I want it to. I get a haircut every month because my hair grows so fast. On top of that, I feel vibrant, am in better shape than I was when I was 17 (I am 37 now), am at an ideal weight (I weigh about 145lbs and am 5’7″), have an active sex drive and hardly ever get sick (maybe once every 2 or 3 years). Also, in August, my doctor ran a series of blood test and found my cholesterol levels to be incredibly good. She almost didn’t believe and said that she had never seen somebody my age with levels that good. Basically, for every problem you describe regarding a high-soy diet, I have the opposite experience.
September 13th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
It happened to me, and I realized it today.
I had a blood test about three years ago and Dr. told me that I have Thyroid problem and I should start having medicine to adjust it. So I did. At the time I used to have lots of hair lost. And also I was having Soy milk with Cereal every morning. I also found out that one of the signs of Thyroid problem is hair loss.
So I start taking the medicine. Now it is three years that i am taking it. About two years ago I moved back to Los angeles, and I just stopped having Soy milk just for no reason.
After a while I noticed there is no hair loss like before.
About fews months back I found that that hair loss started again, I though maybe the Thyroid has problem again. So I gave the test and it was fine. Then I was thinking what maybe some thing in my diet, and I remember that I started soy again, and it should be the reason, I search on google and I found this site.
So I believe it is the reason.
Soy make your hair loss for sure !!!!! I am going to stop from today.
December 31st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Soy products are definitely avoided if someone has thyroid issues. From what I understand there are what are called goitrogens in soy, which can block iodine. Obviously the iodine is needed by the thyroid for the proper production of hormones so anyone on a thyroid diet does not eat it. Thanks for the post, it was informative!
February 12th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
I’ve observed no such adverse effects from moderate soy consumption. By the way here’s a list of other foods that contain goitrogens and you rarely, if ever, hear people telling us to avoid them:
Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, rutagbaga, turnips, mustard, peanuts, spinach, radishes, strawberries, peaches, kohlrabi, millet.
March 14th, 2011 at 6:16 am
this year makes 40 years strict vegetarian for me with some duration of time on a vegan diet.
i eat Soy just about every day, fortunately for me i live a few blocks from “Little Saigon” in Westminster Calif where there are shops that make fresh Tofu all day everyday. at 56 years i have a full head of hair, low cholesterol, slightly elevated blood pressure(need to cut back on salt), normal thyroid. low pulse rate.
i find it ironic that this article advocates the views of Dr. Mercola who is also 56 years old and has been bald for years. my father was bald in his wedding picture at the age of 28, both my grandfathers were bald, yet me the soy eater at the age of 56 still has a full head of shoulder length hair. makes ya wonder don’t it ?
March 14th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment. As I very clearly state in the blog…. “Regardless of what I believe, do your own research and consider every possible connection since ultimately we are all 100% responsible for our own health, welfare and hair related issues.”
The same is true about eating soy, meat, sugar, smoking or drinking alcohol. What I always advocate is that everyone do their own study of what works for them. I am not saying not to eat soy nor am I saying to eat soy. In the same vein, I am not saying it will cause hair loss. Just that it may cause hair loss in some people as some studies have shown. May is the key word. It may cause hair loss. It may not. With every person there are a myriad of variables which can come into play with hair loss ranging from genetics to environment to mental attitude. Eating certain foods for some people may create the perfect storm where hair loss can be triggered.
Although I make a brief reference to Dr. Mercola, this blog/article is not specifically advocating the views of Dr. Mercola. It merely mentions him in reference to a book that he has suggested people read to form their own opinions about whether soy will work for them or not and what impact it might have on their hair. It has no reference to what Dr. Mercola thinks nor does it have any comments on whether he eats soy or doesn’t eat soy. Who really knows what he eats?
If you have a full head of hair and are enjoying it, that’s great to hear. But who really knows if it has anything to do specifically with you eating soy or not? Your full head of hair could be related to a lot of other variables as well. Which brings me back to the point, everyone is unique and needs to do their own research and form their own opinions of what works or doesn’t work for them. I’m glad to hear soy is working for you. Thanks again for your comments. I enjoyed hearing your feedback.
April 19th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@Robert
“I’ve observed no such adverse effects from moderate soy consumption. By the way here’s a list of other foods that contain goitrogens and you rarely, if ever, hear people telling us to avoid them:
Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, rutagbaga, turnips, mustard, peanuts, spinach, radishes, strawberries, peaches, kohlrabi, millet.”
Thanks for that list. Saves me time from looking it up myself. After reading about the adverse effect of soy, it made me wonder what other food contain goitrogens.
-Andie
December 30th, 2011 at 12:35 am
You really make it seem really easy with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually something which I believe I might by no means understand. It seems too complicated and very large for me. I am having a look ahead on your next put up, I?ll try to get the grasp of it!