Hair is often a symbol of health, beauty and vitality. As Fleabag famously said: “Hair is everything! We wish it weren’t so we could actually think about something else occasionally.”
Sometimes, hair can be the difference between a bad day and a great one. And yet, we have all experienced some hair problems at least once in our lifetime. Therefore, vitamins for hair loss can be a great way to improve the health of your hair.
A balanced diet filled with vitamins and minerals can be immensely helpful for anyone experiencing hair loss. But can it really make that much difference for your hair? How do vitamins and minerals react with your hair follicles to promote hair growth? This article tells you everything you need to know about vitamins and minerals for hair loss.
Why are you losing hair?
An average person has around 100,000 to 200,000 hair follicles and loses up to 100 strands per day. If you are losing more than that on a regular basis, you might be experiencing hair loss. There are various internal and external causes such as age, genetics, environment, quality of water, hair dye etc., that cause hair loss.
One essential factor we quickly forget about is nutritional deficiencies. Supplements can be a real game-changer when it comes to hair loss and boosting hair growth. Hair needs the necessary nutrients to thrive and grow, just like any other part of our body. A balanced diet with proper vitamins and minerals can thus significantly promote hair growth.
How important is a balanced diet for healthy hair?
The equation is actually quite simple: when we maintain a healthy diet, our body changes for the better. It is no different for our hair. Essential nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Iron, Zinc, etc., promote hair growth and the overall health of your hair.
If you want healthy hair, you need to eat a lot of protein-rich foods like eggs, meat, fish, beans, and so on. Vitamin B carries oxygen to your hair follicles, so a deficiency in vitamin B7 or B12 can lead to significant hair thinning.
Eating a healthy diet full of proteins and nutritional supplements is the crucial first step on your journey to robust and healthy hair that is resistant to thinning or shedding.
Incorporate lots of proteins, fruits, and vegetables in your diet, take additional supplements for hair growth, and you will notice a difference within a couple of months.
Hair loss vitamins: Which ones are most effective?
The most popular vitamin for hair loss has got to be Biotin. There are a lot of studies on the effect of Biotin on hair loss and new hair growth.
Biotin works to produce keratin, which in turn supports the structure of your hair strands. The recommended daily dose for Biotin is 30 mcg for adults.
If you are suffering from a biotin deficiency, we suggest a boost of additional high-quality Biotin to prevent hair loss and boost new hair growth.
A less talked about vitamin for healthy hair is Niacin, also known as B3. It helps to improve blood circulation to the scalp and reduces the risk of hair shedding or thinning.
Some studies suggest that Niacin can be an effective treatment for Alopecia areata, a condition that causes hair loss.
When it comes to vitamins for hair loss, one of the most underrated options is cobalamin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent in older adults, and it can lead to significant hair loss. Meat, fish, eggs, etc. are the best sources of vitamin B12. Some great vegan options include fortified foods or supplements.
A deficiency of vitamin B9 can cause a weakened immune system and folate-deficiency anaemia, which reduces blood supply to hair follicles, contributing to hair loss. A diet of folate-rich foods and supplements containing can thus help prevent hair loss.
Just like biotin, vitamin A supports the synthesis of keratin and strengthens the hair strands. It also induces sebum production, which helps to keep the scalp healthy.
While it doesn’t directly contribute to preventing hair loss, it helps to stimulate new hair growth. The recommended daily dose varies from 700 mcg to 900 mcg, and you can easily find enough vitamin A in beta-carotene-rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and pumpkin to ensure adequate consumption.
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C helps to protect your hair from free radical damage and oxidative stress. A vitamin C supplement or citrus fruits and vegetables can be a great way to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
The last vitamin for hair loss on our list is vitamin E. This vitamin works similarly to vitamin C, but it is more effective. A study from 2010 has shown that taking a tocotrienol supplement, which belongs to the vitamin E family, can cause up to a thirty-four per cent increase in hair growth.
What other supplements can prevent hair loss?
We talked about vitamins so far, but there are many other minerals and plant extracts which are very useful for the natural treatment of hair loss. Let’s briefly look at some of the best supplements for hair growth below:
Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss in women. Women disproportionately suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, especially during pregnancy, which can lead to catastrophic hair loss.
You can get iron from red meat, vegetables like spinach or even oysters. The daily recommended dose is 45 mg.
Zinc is another excellent mineral that promotes hair growth. It regulates sebum production and produces new hair cells. Zinc also has a positive effect on the immune system and can help prevent hair loss this way.
Saw palmetto is a plant whose extract inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase which in turn converts less testosterone into the harmful dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that causes male pattern baldness.
A recent systematic review of five randomized clinical trials and two prospective cohort studies shows that taking a saw palmetto supplement has postive effects among patients with androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.
Saw palmetto extract is available in capsule form as a daily supplement.
Dr. Acar's hairpower Anti Hair Loss series
We talked about a lot of different vitamins and minerals in this article. But how can you ensure you get all the proper nutrients to combat hair loss?
To get the best treatment for hair loss apart from a hair transplant, consider Dr. Acar’s hairpower booster pack and see a noticeable difference within weeks.
It contains a multivitamin complex, biotin tablets, and saw palmetto along with topical formulations that contain the most important vitamins and minerals for your hair and scalp health.
Which medical conditions can cause hair loss?
Vitamins and supplements are an excellent way for you to boost the health of your hair. However, sometimes hair loss can be a symptom or a side effect of an underlying condition that has to be treated before supplements can work their magic.
Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, thyroid issues, or genetic causes like androgenic alopecia can all lead to severe and sudden episodes of hair loss. Thus, we recommend that you always consult with a medical professional to discuss your concerns.
What are the FDA-approved treatments for hair loss?
If you are suffering from a medical condition that causes hair loss, there are two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatments that can help: Minoxidil and Finasteride.
These have been proven to promote hair growth, but there are some side effects to keep in mind. The side effects may include itching, decreased libido, depression, and anxiety, so make sure to consult a medical professional before you take them!
Conclusion
Your hair is a big part of your life. Going through hair loss is a long and challenging journey. The right vitamins for hair loss, combined with a balanced diet, can do wonders for your hair.
But if you feel like your hair loss is due to a medical condition, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional and create an individual treatment plan.
Following low-maintenance routines like taking supplements can go a long way to reverse your hair loss and bring you back to feeling like your original self.
And if everything fails, you can always get an affordable hair transplant in Turkey to restore your hair to its former glory.
