Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health Why Intermittent Fasting May Be Killing Your Hair - AI Podcast
Jun 26, 2025
Discover how intermittent fasting might be sabotaging your hair health! Research reveals that switching to fat for fuel can flood hair follicles with harmful fatty acids, leading to hair loss. The science behind this shows that hair follicle stem cells thrive on glucose, and fasting can disrupt their growth. The podcast also provides tips to restore hair vitality, highlighting the importance of nutrient-rich meals and regular carbohydrate intake. Micronutrients and smart eating plans are essential to combat the negative effects and promote hair growth!
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Fasting Damages Hair Follicle Stem Cells
- When fasting, the body shifts from glucose to breaking down stored fat, releasing toxic free fatty acids.
- Hair follicle stem cells need glucose, so relying on fat causes oxidative stress that locks them in dormancy.
Muscle Loss Worsens Hair Stress
- Muscle loss during fasting worsens glucose shortage, stressing follicles and increasing hair shedding.
- Losing muscle decreases vital glucose reservoirs needed for hair health.
Fasting Rhythm Harms Hair Growth
- Alternate-day and 16-hour daily fasting slow hair regrowth even with matched calorie intake.
- The fast-feed cycle itself harms hair follicles independently of calorie count or timing.