Hair loss affects men and women alike, and genetics, health issues, circumstances, and medications all factor into the equation. Some forms of hair loss are merely temporary, while others, like pattern baldness, are permanent. The reality is that hair loss is more common than most people realize and common culprits are popular medications that people take. 

Certain medications cause hair loss because they interfere with normal, healthy growth cycles of hair follicles. Studies report that if hair follicles cannot grow properly, or if something inhibits the growth cycle, that is when hair may fall out. The good news is that hair loss from medications is often temporary, meaning that once you stop the drug, your hair will come back to normal. The hair loss process, though, can chip away at your self-esteem and cause confidence issues. 

Medications And Hair Loss

Medications can disrupt growth at different stages. Short-term or temporary hair loss, often takes place during the resting phase, or telogen effluvium. Another type of hair loss caused by medications is anagen effluvium, which is a long-term type of loss that can lead to thinning and body hair loss as well. Anagen effluvium takes place in the hair’s new growth phase. Below, you’ll find common drugs that can cause both of these types of hair loss. 

Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)

This class of medications helps prevent blood clots. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, work by stopping blood clots from forming. There are numerous cases of hair loss as a result of taking blood thinners, and it can take some time to determine that they are the cause. If hair loss starts after taking a certain blood thinner, consult with your doctor about a newer class of blood thinners, which are less likely to cause hair loss. 

Certain Antidepressants

Anxiety or stress can cause hair loss, but so can the medications people take to treat those conditions. In addition to causing hair loss, certain antidepressants can affect reproductive hormones, including estrogen and testosterone. Altering the production of either of these hormones can affect hair growth, according to medical experts. Common antidepressants that may cause hair loss include selective serotonin inhibits like prozac, and tricyclic antidepressants like elavin. 

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and several other heart conditions. Propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol, and timolol eye drops are some of the most commonly used beta blockers that can cause hair loss. Cozaar, another type of blood pressure medication, can also cause hair loss, but it isn’t a known side effect of that medication. 

Prescription Anti-Inflammatory Medication

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can experience hair loss. Sometimes, though, the medications that people take to relieve symptoms of these conditions have the same effect. Two of the most common anti-inflammatory medications that cause hair loss include Arava, which causes hair loss in 10% of all users, and methotrexate, which causes hair loss in 3% of all users. 

Chemotherapy

This common cancer treatment works to kill cancer cells. An unfortunate reality is that many people who receive chemotherapy experience hair loss because the medication kills other fast-growing cells in the body, including hair follicles. Hair loss can occur within days or weeks after receiving the medication, and hair loss effects are fairly noticeable after one or two months. Hair typically grows back within one to three months after completing treatment. 

Acne Medication

Although acne medication may benefit acne-prone skin, this medication may damage your scalp, according to dermatologists. Acne medication is derived from vitamin A, which is an integral nutrient for hair and eyesight. When you take it in high amounts, hair follicles kick into overdrive. As a result, your hair reaches the ends of the development phase faster than it normally does, causing it to fall out. Because the body cannot produce new hair quickly enough to replace it, you experience hair thinning or bad patches. 

Hormonal Contraceptives

Any birth control method, such as the pill, patch, or vaginal ring, that contains estrogen can cause hair loss. As mentioned earlier in this article, hormonal changes that occur in the body can affect hair growth. When the body experiences shock or stress (e.g. hormonal changes via birth control pills), hair roots are pushed into their resting state prematurely. During that time, about 70% of your scalp sheds hair. Don’t worry because this is a temporary side effect and your body tends to adjust to the pill’s hormonal effects over time.

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A steamy cup of herbal tea is an excellent alternative to caffeinated beverages or plain water. Many herbal teas, as well as caffeinated teas, exhibit powerful health properties. From hibiscus and chamomile to Earl Grey and green tea, teas are chock full of beneficial nutrients. Before you take swig after swig, though, there are certain things to consider. 

People who take prescription or over-the-counter medications need to consider the potential interactions of certain herbs with their medications. Certain herbs may decrease the effects of medicines, while others may lead to unwanted side effects. When brewing a cup of herbal tea, though, the first thought isn’t, “How will this interact with my medication?” Tea is considered harmless, and most teas are considered to be safe in small amounts. People who take medication or live with certain health conditions, however, may need to limit or avoid consumption of some herbal teas. 

If you take blood thinners, antidepressants, or blood pressure medication, drinking certain herbal teas may increase the risk of side effects. Below, you’ll find some herbal teas that you should limit or avoid if you live with specific health conditions. Please keep in mind that the information in this article is intended to be informative. If you have concerns or questions about specific teas or herbs and how they’ll interact with your body, consult your health care professional. They can help determine what herbal teas or supplements are safest for you.

Gingko Tea

People who take blood-thinning medications should avoid gingko tea. Blood-thinning medications include Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrell), and other anticoagulants. Gingko biloba actually slows the blood clotting process, and consuming it with anticoagulants can increase the risk of bleeding. People with epilepsy or those who take antidepressants should also avoid gingko tea. It’s possible for large amounts of gingko biloba to induce seizures, and it may weaken the effects of certain antidepressants. 

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is notorious for interacting with a variety of medications, including cyclosporine, antidepressants, blood thinners, birth control pills, and HIV drugs. If you take any of these medications, talk to your health care professional before taking St. John’s wort or drinking the tea. It’s possible that consuming St. John’s wort in conjunction with antidepressants may help reduce depression symptoms, but it’s wise to discuss a treatment plan first. The reason for this is because that combination may lead to dangerous levels of serotonin.

Chamomile

A seemingly harmless herb, chamomile is a nighttime favorite for people who wish to calm the body and mind. According to several studies, it exhibits mild tranquilizing affects. Other studies found that it may lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Infrequent consumption may have beneficial effects on glycemic control for type 2 diabetics. Drinking large amounts of chamomile tea, however, may reduce blood sugar too much. You don’t have to avoid chamomile tea as a diabetic, but be aware that drinking too much may lead to a hypoglycemic event. Carefully monitor blood sugar as you drink the tea. 

Ginseng & Licorice Teas

Similar to gingko biloba, ginseng and licorice may reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications, including warfarin. If you experience blood clots or have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it’s wise to avoid these teas. Ginseng may also reduce the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers, statin medications, certain antidepressants, and HIV agents. Keep this information in mind when consuming either of these herbs in tea or supplement form. 

Green Tea

Known for the powerful antioxidant properties, green tea is a powerhouse in the world of health and wellness. Unfortunately for some, it negatively interacts with medications that treat heart conditions. Green tea also contains vitamin K, which can increase blood clotting and interfere with some blood thinners. People who take lisinopril (medication for hypertension and heart failure), should also limit green tea consumption because it can reduce the effectiveness of the medication.

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Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins that help the body produce prothrombin, a protein and clotting factor that is necessary for bone health and blood clotting. It is rare for people to experience vitamin K deficiency, but it can happen, and it leads to increased clotting time, hemorrhaging, and excessive bleeding. People who take blood thinners, such as Coumadin or other anticoagulants, are not encouraged to consume additional vitamin K without consulting their medical care professionals.

Vitamin K is integral for optimal bone health, teaming up with vitamin D to efficiently deliver calcium to the bones in the body. Recent research by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay found that vitamin K may increase bone mineral density, decreasing the risk of fractures. Another study found that low vitamin K levels may lead to low bone mass density, increasing the risk of hip fractures in women.

Sources of Vitamin K

The bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract naturally produce vitamin K, but it is necessary to obtain vitamin K from dietary sources. Some of the best dietary sources of vitamin K include leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils, and fermented foods. For fermented foods, the amount of vitamin K will vary depending on bacterial strains and the fermentation process. The bioavailability of different forms of vitamin K will also vary from food to food. Some of the best vitamin K sources are listed below:

• Natto
• Collards
• Turnip greens
• Kale
• Raw carrot juice
• Grapes
• Broccoli
• Raw cashews
• Spinach
• Okra
• Pumpkin
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Blueberries
• Raw pine nuts

Benefits

The Harvard School of Public Health published a study claiming that vitamin K helps produce four of the 13 necessary proteins for blood clotting. As previously stated, vitamin K helps with wound healing and bone health. Some of our favorite vitamin K benefits are detailed below.

Heart Health

Several studies have found that adequate intake of vitamin K may help to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of stroke. By inhibiting mineralization, where minerals build up in the arteries, the heart can pump blood throughout the body with ease. Mineralization happens naturally, especially as you age, so be sure include vitamin K foods in your daily diet.

Bone Health

Osteoporosis is the cause of over 8.9 million fractures per year, and it affects an estimated 200 million women worldwide. One in five men and one in three women over 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture. A large amount of data presents that these numbers could decrease by regularly consuming vitamin K-rich foods. What’s puzzling is that few therapies for osteoporosis recommend vitamin K consumption.

Cognitive Health

According to recent studies, higher vitamin K blood levels have been linked to improved episodic memories in older adults. One study revealed that people over the age of 70 with high levels of vitamin K1 had better memory performance than those with low levels of vitamin K.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin K should be as follows:

• 120 mcg for men over the age of 19
• 90 mcg for women over the age of 19

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High blood pressure is an extremely common condition that affects roughly 29% of adults in America. That means that 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, and only half of these people have the condition under control. If you leave high blood pressure alone, it won’t go away. There has to be an aggressive effort to normalize blood pressure levels so that you are not at risk of heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure.

There isn’t one specific cause for high blood pressure; rather, there are usually several factors that cause the condition to occur. Being overweight or obese, having a poor diet, smoking cigarettes, lack of physical exercise, and eating too much salt can all cause high blood pressure. You don’t have to resort to high blood pressure medication to correct the problem, though.

Certain vegetables, fruits, and herbs can naturally lower your blood pressure. Some of these ingredients are powerful and you’ll notice positive results within days, while others may take longer to show results. Pick some of the following juices to drink in order to naturally lower your blood pressure.

Beet Juice

Beets can do some pretty amazing things for the body; for example, they can help detoxify the liver. Your blood pressure can lower within hours of drinking beet juice because the health properties in beets nurture your heart and can help bring down inflammation in the body.

Berry Juice

Just one cup of blueberries per day could be the key to reducing blood pressure and arterial stiffness, both of which are associated with heart disease. You can add blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries to your juices to get healthy flavonoids and antioxidants that help lower blood pressure.

Celery Juice

You may not think that celery juice would help lower blood pressure, but drinking the juice helps to relax the muscles in and around the arterial walls. By allowing blood to flow more easily, this helps lower blood pressure. Additionally, celery contains potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure levels.

Leafy Green Juice

Many leafy greens, including spinach and kale, contain high amounts of folate, nitrates, iron, and magnesium. Magnesium can help lower blood pressure, but it is more effective if you consume vitamin C-rich produce like oranges, bell peppers, guavas, kiwis, or grapefruit to help the body use magnesium more efficiently.

Garlic

Make sure you aren’t kissing anyone after you drink juice with garlic in it. Since garlic is a natural blood thinner and has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help lower blood pressure.

When you juice, it is necessary to buy a lot of fruits and vegetables. If you decide that you’d like to buy less produce and make smoothies instead, you will receive the same benefits from these foods. Check out our Smoothies & Juices section for recipes!

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A blood thinner is an anti-coagulant designed to stop blood clots. They are used to stop platelets, or heavy cells, present in blood plasma from forming clots (blood clots). They are most used in those who are at risk for heart attack, stroke, or aneurysms.

A blood thinner is usually composed of several different chemical formations, with the most common blood thinner, and most often used blood thinner being aspirin, taken in doses of 81mg per day, essentially one baby aspirin.

Aspirin has been recognized as a blood thinner for at least 50 years. Aspirin significantly reduces platelet counts. Often, doctors will prescribe a daily dose of aspirin as the only required cardiac medicine for a patient.

Side Effects

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns consumers of these side effects from blood thinners:

• Menstrual bleeding that is much heavier than normal.
• Red or brown urine.
• Bowel movements that are red or look like tar.
• Bleeding from the gums or nose that does not stop quickly.
• Vomit that is brown or bright red.
• Anything red in color that you cough up.
• Severe pain, such as a headache or stomachache.
• Unusual bruising.
• A cut that does not stop bleeding.
• A serious fall or bump on the head.
• Dizziness or weakness

Some people who take a blood thinner may experience hair loss or skin rashes, but this is rare.

Natural Healing

If you feel you must use a blood-thinning agent, choose an herb such as Ginkgo Biloba or garlic, or drink green tea.

The blood should be purified periodically. It should be cleansed, rebuilt, and nourished. Herbs that can help repair the blood include:

• Red Clover
• Goldenseal Root
• Burdock Rook
• Yellow Dock Root
• Sarsaparilla
• Cerasee
• Chickweed
• Celedine
• Devil’s Claw
• Echinacea Root
• Nettle
• Alfalfa
• Sassafras
• Dandelion Root
• Manjistha, and
• Cleavers

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