Q: I'M ONLY 31, AND EVERY MORNING WHEN I BRUSH MY HAIR, I NOTICE CLUMPS OF IT FALL OUT. MY BOYFRIEND JOKES THAT I'M GOING BALD, AND I LAUGH IT OFF, BUT I'M WORRIED I REALLY MIGHT BE. SURELY THIS ISN'T NORMAL? Catriona, 28, Liverpool
A: You'd be surprised how common your experience actually is - one in three women over the age of 25 suffers from hair loss of some form and it can have a staggering affect on those affected psychologically. Age, genetics and hormones all play a big role, and life changes such as breastfeeding and the menopause can contribute, but nutrition has a huge influence, too. So your fist step is to take a careful look at your diet and make sure it's as nutritious and varied as possible. You need plenty of essential minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, and vitamins such as D3 and B to keep your hair growing healthily. In terms of lifestyle, stress is another big factor to consider - recent studies cite it as an influence in as many as one in three cases. Working long hours, juggling jobs and family responsibilities or recovering from serious illness can all take their toll. Often hair starts to fall out about 90 days after a stressful event - childbirth or bereavement are common triggers - this delay is due to the life cycle of your hair. Checking in with your doctor for a basic blood test to make sure you don't have any nutritional deficiencies is a good idea, and you can ask for a hormone balance check, too. In the meantime, try taking a tricologic supplement to help support your body (Wellwoman Tricologic, £34.95 for 60, Boots), which will provide the optimum mix of nutrients for luscious locks.
