You can prevent this by avoiding extreme calorie restriction of prolonged fasts, as these can be very stressful on the body when taken too far. Another possible cause of hair loss is mineral and vitamin deficiencies, such as a zinc deficiency, thus consuming foods such as shellfish, seafood, and meat can be helpful. With the staggering rates of metabolic diseases plaguing the developed world, lifestyle choices that improve how sensitive we are to insulin can be powerful tools.