Let me explain: There is a balance between good and bad bacteria in your gut. When this balance is disturbed for a prolonged period, bad bacteria outnumber good bacteria, leading to fungal overgrowth in the body. The good bacteria in your body normally regulate the growth of various fungi. However, when bad bacteria take over, one specific fungus Malassezia starts to grow excessively, especially on the scalp.
Malassezia exists naturally in the body, but when the balance is disturbed, it begins to thrive on sebum the oily secretion produced by glands in the scalp. Normally, skin cells regenerate in about a month, but Malassezia speeds up this process to just a week, causing rapid shedding of skin cells. This results in the flaky, scaly appearance of dandruff.
As a defense mechanism, the skin produces more inflammatory oils, which is why some people experience both oily scalp and flaking at the same time.
Why Anti-Dandruff Shampoos Don't Work Long-Term
A well-known brand that has been promoting anti-dandruff shampoos for years contains Zinc Pyrithione. This chemical is antimicrobial and temporarily suppresses fungal growth. That’s why dandruff disappears for a short while when you use these shampoos. However, as soon as you stop using them, dandruff returns.
Europe is now starting to ban Zinc Pyrithione due to its potential side effects. Moreover, these shampoos do not address the root cause, which is gut health.
Additionally, almost all anti-dandruff shampoos contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which is a surfactant and detergent. While it provides excellent cleansing and foaming, it also strips away the natural oils from your scalp. This leads to increased dandruff and hair fall in the long run.
Dandruff shampoos
Always choose SLS-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free shampoos. One of nature’s strongest antifungal herbs for dandruff is tea tree oil.
Restoring Gut Health to Treat Dandruff
1. Follow a Low-Carb Diet – Consider intermittent fasting or a mild keto diet. Intermittent fasting helps improve gut microbial diversity, which in turn boosts the population of good bacteria.
2. Eliminate Omega-6 Inflammatory Oils –
Avoid corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, and vegetable oil.
Instead, consume organic cow ghee, 100% coconut oil, and extra virgin olive oil, which are rich in Omega-3s. These oils are beneficial for heart health, brain function, weight management, and diabetes prevention.
3. Increase Vitamin D, Biotin (Vitamin B7), and Probiotics –
Vitamin D sources: Egg yolks, desi ghee, fatty fish, and supplements.
Biotin sources: Whole grains, animal dairy, and eggs.
Probiotics: Start with 5 billion CFUs daily with meals and gradually increase the dose to 10-25 billion CFUs.
4. Consume Fiber-Rich Foods & Probiotics –
If fermented foods suit you, consume raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar as a natural antibiotic.
Buttermilk (chaas) is the cheapest natural probiotic in the world.
Dark chocolate is also an excellent probiotic.
Powerful Natural Remedy for Dandruff
You can make a strong anti-dandruff treatment using:
3 tbsp Tea Tree Oil (strongest antifungal oil)
2 tbsp 100% Organic Coconut Oil (after mother’s milk, coconut oil is the strongest antibacterial and antifungal agent)
1 tsp Amla Powder (richest plant-based source of Vitamin C, strengthens hair strands and promotes growth)
Neem Leaf Water (soak neem leaves overnight and use the infused water)
How to Use:
Dilute the solution and apply it to your scalp for 2-3 hours, three times a week. You will see reduced dandruff and improved hair volume within a few weeks.