As I talked about in my previous post on hair health, hair problems and hair loss can be extremely frustrating and tough to deal with. So, I will continue discussing factors that affect hair health in today's post and in some future posts.
Lack of protein and hair problems:
Keratin is a protein that makes up hair, and this means that protein is an essential part of your hair growth and must be in your diet. Poor protein intake can cause brittle, easily broken hair that is hard to grow.
This may be the case with people who under eat and are vegans. It can also be a problem if a person has an inability to digest protein effectively due to leaky gut and low stomach acid levels. (Make sure you read my post on Leaky Gut Syndrome from last week)
My suggestions is to add in a variety of healthy proteins to your meals daily such as : 100% grass-fed beef, organic poultry, pasture sourced eggs, and wild caught fish like salmon.
If you are a vegan, consuming spirulina and chlorella can be very helpful as well as doing pea or hemp protein powders for easy to digest proteins. ( Read my previous post on spirulina benefits )
Lack of vitamins and minerals:
Many nutrients are needed for the optimal health of your hair, and any vitamin deficiency can result in hair loss.
- Vitamin B12 : Lack of this vitamin may cause premature graying
- Vitamin C : Vitamin C deficiency can leave your hair dry and dull
Also lack of other vitamins such as A, B, C, D, E as well as minerals such as magnesium and zinc, and selenium are vital to hair health.
Zinc
Zinc is excellent for hair because it promotes ovulation, reduces inflammation, and tackles androgens. It also directly stimulates hair growth. There is evidence that both blood and hair zinc are lower in people with hair loss.
Iron Deficiency
A review of 40 years of research supports that hair loss accompanies the symptoms of fatigue and dizziness caused by an iron deficiency.
The major issues with iron deficient anemia include excessive bleeding, low iron intake, and/or low stomach acid and leaky gut. For all of these conditions, supplemental iron can be beneficial for a period of time.
Biotin
Biotin supplement can do a lot for your hair beauty and health. This B-Complex vitamin is vital to cell proliferation and hair growth. Science proved that it nourishes your hair follicles and promotes the growth of your already existing hair. Yet, it is not enough to take biotin alone. It works in synergy with several vitamins and minerals to promote hair growth. You should aim to get 500 mcg of biotin per day.
As a pharmacist , I am always asked about which vitamins/what brand of vitamins I recommend for hair loss. First you have to rule out any other medical conditions which I talked about in my previous post. The issue with your hair may be one isolated problem, but most commonly are a combination of other health related issues. Hair growth vitamins and supplements are not created equal. Some might give you fast results, while others disappoint. But, please be careful. A few supplements can be harmful for your overall health.
The following ingredients are those that research prove to be the most effective in promoting hair growth and development when looking for a hair supplement :
Vitamins : Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Biotin
Minerals : Calcium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese
Nutrients : Collagen, Keratin, Hyaluronic Acid
Extracts : Goji Berry, Fo-Ti Root
My tips for choosing the right supplement in any category :
1- Research and Scientific Evidence of the product
2- Types of Ingredients
3- Purity of Ingredients- ( check their rating on labdoor.com )
4- FDA Compliance
5- Costumer Reviews
6- Price
7- Return policy and Customer Service
Other factors that can influence hair health are : lack of quality fats, stress, dehydration, autoimmune disorders, and poor sleep. Future posts on this topic will follow.
As always consult with your doctor and or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions before starting any supplement.
Stay well and healthy. Dr. Naghmeh
The content of my page is for Educational/Informational purposes only. Nothing should be constructed as Medical Advise.
