Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Vitamins For Hair Loss - Hair Loss Due To Vitamin Deficiency

Zinc, iron, B vitamins, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other nutrients are responsible for hair growth. If these deficiencies occur ,for whatever reason, hair loss is likely. These deficiencies can result from many of the problems referred to in this article as well as poor diet.

However, there are other cases when hair loss can be a sign of a serious medical problem. This is known as temporary hair loss, because genes did not predetermine the loss of hair. One of the leading causes of temporary hair loss is vitamin deficiency. Hair follicles require certain vitamins to carry on their constant function of regeneration and growth. If follicles remain deprived of these vitamins they won't be able to carry out their normal functioning and may result in hair loss.

Most often due to poor dietary habits or disturbed metabolism folks happen to be deficient with these vitamins. So a change in dietary habits or food intake is necessary to ensure enough intake of necessary vitamins for hair in order to prevent hair loss.

Vital Vitamins To Prevent Hair Loss

There are many different vitamins that are extremely important to maintaining a healthy head of hair. Hair loss could be caused by a vitamin deficiency in any of these nutrients. All that is necessary to reverse the temporary hair loss is following a proper diet!

Vitamin A is a vitamin that promotes the healthy growth of both cells and tissue in various parts of the body, including the cells in the scalp and hair. A vitamin A deficiency could lead to hair loss and dandruff, especially if the deficiency occurs for an extended period of time. To get the vitamin A you need, make sure to consume lots of leafy vegetables, colorful fruits, liver, eggs, and fish oil.

Hair loss could be caused by a vitamin deficiency in one or more of three B vitamins. These three B vitamins (more specifically folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) are important to the creation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. The hemoglobin carries oxygen to various body tissues, including the hair cells. A vitamin deficiency could cause hair loss due to the resulting reduced blood and oxygen supply to the hair. To get your B vitamins, eat plenty of chicken, fish, whole grains, beets, and orange juice.

A vitamin deficiency in biotin could cause hair loss. Though deficiency in biotin is rare, it has been observed in some cases. Biotin can be found in select foods, and it is also produced in the intestines by good bacteria. Most people who eat a healthy diet would never experience hair loss as a result of this vitamin deficiency. However, if this does occur, vitamin supplements can be taken.

What Else?

Other vitamins are important to the growth and maintenance of hair. These vitamins include zinc, iron, vitamin C, and copper. If you do not receive an adequate amount of these vitamins, make sure to look for food sources or begin taking supplements.

High doses of Vitamin A can also result in the temporary loss of hair.

Iron deficiency can be another cause of hair loss. Young women often have low iron due to the changes in their bodies and their menstrual cycle. Some people do not consume enough iron in their diets or have an inability to properly absorb iron. A doctor can test your blood for iron levels and can treat this by recommending iron pills as part of your vitamin and mineral regiment.

Insufficient protein in your diet may result in protein malnutrition that can affect hair loss. If you are on a diet that is low in protein this may be the culprit. Your body will take the protein from your hair, forcing your hair into the telogen or resting phase. Hair loss will then occur two or more months later. This is not permanent hair loss and can be reversed with a proper diet with healthy amounts of protein.

Biotin

For people who eat a healthy diet, biotin deficiency is rare. Besides getting biotin from select food sources, biotin is also manufactured in our intestines by gut bacteria. In rare instances though, biotin deficiency can cause hair loss. Both patients had severe loss of hair. These patients, due to their medical condition, did not manufacture biotin in their gut and consumed no biotin orally or parenterally. Daily supplementation of biotin resulted in the gradual regrowth of healthy hair.

If you are facing deficiency of these vitamins you should incorporate food items in your diet to ensure sufficient intake of these vitamins. It would lessen possibility of hair loss.

No comments: