Your Hair Is Aging You — And It’s Not Just Genetics!

Good morning Brain Warriors!

Welcome to the latest edition of Cognitive Mastery!

We often blame wrinkles, fine lines, or dark spots for aging us. But according to the latest research published in the International Journal of Trichology, the real giveaway isn’t your skin. It’s your hair.

That’s right. Thin, dull, and damaged hair can add up to 10 years to your appearance.

Now, if you’re reaching for fancy shampoos or biotin supplements, thinking they’ll fix the problem, you might want to hold off. Because the real culprit may not be on your head at all… but in your gut.

And yes, your brain plays a surprising role too. More on that in a moment.

Your Hair, Brain, and Gut Are More Connected Than You Think

You might already know that 70-80% of your immune system lives in your gut. This is thanks to something called the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), which helps regulate immune responses. When your gut is out of balance, a condition called dysbiosis, it can send your immune system into overdrive, sometimes with unintended consequences.

One of those consequences? Autoimmune conditions.

For example, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, causing sudden, patchy hair loss. But it’s not the only condition tied to hair thinning:

• Lupus – Can cause significant hair shedding and scarring of hair follicles.
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – Disrupts thyroid function, leading to dry, brittle hair and thinning.
• Psoriasis – Leads to scalp inflammation, making hair growth difficult.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – Triggers systemic inflammation, which can impact hair quality.

The surprising part? Nearly every autoimmune condition starts in the gut. And the good news is, you can heal it there, too.

The Gut-Brain-Hair Connection

Your gut and brain communicate constantly through the gut-brain axis, influencing everything from mood to inflammation. When your gut is inflamed, your brain often follows, leading to stress, anxiety, and even depression. This stress response increases cortisol, a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and accelerate hair loss.

Chronic stress also disrupts the gut microbiome, creating a vicious cycle where poor gut health weakens brain function, and brain stress weakens gut function. All while your hair takes the hit.

How to Restore Your Gut (and Your Hair & Brain)

If you’re dealing with hair loss, skin rashes, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, or digestive issues, your body is likely sending out distress signals. Here’s where to start:

? Ditch gut-disrupting foods – Gluten, dairy, sugar, and processed foods can inflame your gut and trigger immune reactions.

? Support your microbiome – Load up on fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir, or consider a high-quality probiotic. My favourite one are pickles.

? Heal your gut lining – Bone broth, collagen, and L-glutamine can help repair the intestinal barrier and prevent immune overreaction.

? Manage stress & boost brain health – Chronic stress weakens both gut and brain function. Try breathwork, meditation, or simply spending time in nature to calm your nervous system and support hair growth.

If your hair is looking older than you feel, don’t just treat the surface. Go to the root of the issue (literally ??).

Want to learn more about optimising your gut-brain axis for better health, resilience, and longevity? Or you want to take action now? DM me and let's discuss how to take you to the next level.

Until next time, keep those neurones (and hair follicles) firing!

Thierry

Your practical tip: Start your day with a simple gut-brain booster

Drink a large glass of warm water with fresh lemon juice. It helps kickstart digestion, supports liver detoxification, and keeps your microbiome happy, which in turn benefits your brain and hair health!