To stop hair from falling, focus on vitamins A, D, E, Biotin (B7), B12, Folate (B9), and minerals like Iron, Zinc, and Selenium, as deficiencies in these can cause shedding, but supplements only help if you're deficient; a balanced diet is key, and consult a doctor before starting supplements for proper diagnosis and dosage.
Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain the central and peripheral nervous systems. Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue.
Hair loss can be caused by deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, zinc, and biotin. Iron deficiency affects oxygen delivery to hair follicles, slowing growth. Vitamin D supports follicle cycling, while zinc and biotin contribute to hair strength and repair. Blood tests can help identify these deficiencies.
Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.
As Dr. Zeichner explains it, taking certain vitamins can provide hair follicles the building blocks they need to grow optimally—but they won't change the density or activity of the follicles themselves.
Iron: If you don't get enough iron, your body can't make sufficient hemoglobin—the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your cells, including those that support hair growth, can't grow and repair themselves properly. Low iron (anemia) is a common cause of hair loss in women.
In conclusion, while vitamin D is essential for healthy hair growth, too much can potentially lead to hair loss.
To help prevent hair loss:
Take a Multivitamin for Key Nutrients!
Is it better to take B12 or B complex? Most people don't need to take a B complex supplement, as their diet should provide enough of the vitamins. If you don't have enough vitamin B12, you can have B12 shots or take it as a tablet, depending on what your doctor recommends.
“Big 3”: Omega-3, Vitamin D3, Probiotics.
Neither is better. Each plays a different role. Biotin helps produce keratin, a protein that strengthens your hair. Vitamin B12 helps make red blood cells, which deliver oxygen to hair follicles.
Vitamin H is known to stimulate hair growth. Studies have shown that biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss. While biotin can be used to treat hair loss, the best results occur in individuals who are biotin deficient. However, biotin deficiency is quite rare as it is found in many food sources.
When deficiency disrupts vitamin D in your scalp, the anagen (growth) phase shortens. This prematurely pushes more resting follicles into the telogen (rest) phase. Excessive shedding occurs, resulting in thinner hair.
The big three for thinning hair are minoxidil, finasteride, and ketoconazole. “They each play a special part in encouraging hair growth. Minoxidil works by widening blood vessels in your scalp, boosting circulation so more nutrients reach your hair follicles—helping to spark new growth and keep shedding in check.
Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness.
High-saturated fat Foods are the third harmful culprit because they can cause hormonal imbalances, leading to reduced hair and scalp health, commonly known as hormone-related hair loss. High-saturated fat foods include fried foods, fatty meats, butter, cheese, and oils.