YOUR daily sandwich could be the cause of your receding hairline, a hair transplant surgeon has warned.
Consuming too much of a key filling could be damaging your hair follicles and leading to hair loss, he warned.
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“That tuna sandwich you have every day might be the culprit for your receding hairline,” Dr Mehmet Erdogan, co-founder and hair transplant surgeon at Smile Hair Clinic, revealed.
That’s because tuna – a staple sandwich filler that’s rich in protein vitamins and minerals – also contains mercury, so consuming the fish regularly can cause the toxic metal to build up in the body.
Too much mercury can harm your hair follicles and accelerate hair loss, Dr Erdogan warned.
According to the hair expert, eating just one tuna sandwich daily increases mercury intake to 7.8 times higher than the UK average.
He also pointed to a study from 2019, which described the case of a woman who suffered hair loss due to consumption of tuna, which caused mercury to build up in her blood.
“Elimination of dietary tuna led to the reduction in [mercury] levels,” the report said.
“A reversal of alopecia [hair loss], along with a decrease in blood Hg levels were noted following the recommendation to alter diet, including fish intake.”
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), mercury is found in all fish due to natural accumulation from the environment, so it can’t avoided entirely if you eat fish.
Mercury is naturally higher in predatory fish, such as tuna, because they eat other smaller fish. This means the metal builds up in them over time from the fish they eat.
Canned tuna typically contains lower levels of mercury than fresh tuna, the FSA noted.
The NHS only advises pregnant people and those trying for a baby to limit their fresh and tinned tuna consumption to no more than four cans a week or two tuna steaks a week.
But Dr Erdogan advised anyone concerned about the health of their locks of avoid consuming too much tuna too.
It’s not just tuna that poses a risk to your hairline, according to Dr Erdogan.
“Foods rich in fish oil, such as salmon, anchovies and sardines, when consumed excessively, might cause hair loss,” he explained.
“A 2022 study on mice found that feeding mice a high-fat, fish oil–rich diet for three months resulted in significant hair loss.”
Moderate consumption of fish – about twice weekly – is safe, the transplant surgeon noted.
But he said following a predominantly fish-based diet for extended periods of time could accelerate hair loss.
It’s worth noting that previous research has found that eating lots of fatty fish can make your hair thicker and reduce the amount of dead hairs on your head.
Hair Loss 101
HAIR pro Samantha Cusick has revealed everything you need to know about hair loss.
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
Hair loss can be influenced by so many factors, from genetics and hormone changes to lifestyle choices.
Stress, diet, and even hair care habits can all impact hair strength.
It’s perfectly normal to lose some hair each day, but sometimes the body can shed more than usual, responding to things like hormonal shifts or even life stressors.
Why It Happens More This Time of Year
Have you ever noticed your hair seems to shed more in autumn? That’s seasonal shedding!
During summer, we hold onto extra hair to protect our scalp from the sun.
As the weather cools, it’s like our body recalibrates and lets go of those extra strands.
Dry, cooler air can also make hair more brittle, making it easier to lose a little extra volume during these months.
Hacks and Affordable Buys to Treat Hair loss
The great news? You don’t need to spend a fortune on pricey treatments to support your hair.
Try daily scalp massages—they’re so simple but really help boost blood flow to the follicles.
Castor oil is another fantastic, budget-friendly option that’s rich in nutrients to strengthen your strands.
Adding a bit more protein to your diet and a biotin supplement can also work wonders for overall hair health.
Products to Avoid
Steer clear of products with high levels of alcohol, sulphates, and parabens – they can be drying and damage hair over time.
Heat styling and chemical treatments can also cause breakage, so try to use them sparingly.
Instead, look for gentle, hydrating formulas to support your scalp and keep hair healthier through the seasons.
This includes salmon, as well as mackerel and herring, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids – a key nutrient for healthy locks.
If you follow up your tuna sandwich with a sweet snack, this might not be doing your locks any favours either, Dr Erdogan went on.
“Eating high-sugar foods can affect hair follicles by causing inflammation and follicular metabolic changes,” he said.
“A study involving 1,000 men from 2022 found that consuming high levels of sugar resulted in significantly more hair loss than those with lower sugar intake.”
Dr Erdogan warned that many seemingly healthy foods may contain hidden sugars.
“Even consuming apparently ‘healthy’ foods such as flavoured yoghurts, breakfast cereals and some types of bread can elevate your sugar intake levels without you even realising it,” he cautioned.
Two foods for healthy locks
After a healthy head of hair?
Dr Erdogan suggested you eat plenty of eggs.
“Egg yolks are a rich source of protein, biotin and vitamin D, nutrients important for hair health and growth,” he said.
“Hair follicles are mostly made of protein, called keratin. While eggs do contain keratin, biotin is also essential to support the body to regulate and produce its own keratin.”
Spinach also earned praise from the hair expert, who warned that “a lack of vitamins and nutrients that are important for hair growth can be one of the main causes of hair loss”.
He said eating the green is a good way of adding iron, vitamin C, vitamin A and folate to your diet – all key nutrients when it comes to hair growth.
It comes after an NHS GP revealed she was able to boost her hair growth by consuming more iron, having discovered she was deficient in the nutrient.
Dr Erdogan noted that diet alone isn’t the only factor affecting hair health.
“Apart from diet, there are many other lifestyle choices which can contribute to a healthier scalp and hair.
“Even basic actions such as sleeping eight hours per day, exercising regularly and keeping a normal scalp hygiene will help your hair and follicle health and delay or prevent hair loss,” he said.
