Expert: Melissa Anderson - 8/20/2007

Question
My mother has thinning brittle hair and was taking a vitamin and amino acid supplement which seemed to help
but I discovered it's sources for amino acids was soy,
and she had estrogen receptor positive breast cancer
two years ago and I firmly believe she should avoid
soy based supplements.  Can you suggest anything else?
i would be most grateful.

Answer
Lynn,
Your mother should see her doctor about her hair. Thinning, brittle hair can be a sign of several health problems. If her doctor says that her hair problems are not a sign of anything serious, she can then see a dermatologist specifically to address the hair. Dermatologists are full medical doctors, with the same basic training as surgeons, pediatricians, etc, and a dermatologist will be able to treat the hair problems without increasing your mother's risk of cancer.
Melissa