Many people like to discount the role that nutrition, specifically what we eat, has in our overall well-being. But the simple truth is that getting that proper nutrition is vital to all aspects of human health – including your hair.
Some of those people also do not understand that supplements, by the very nature of their name, are intended to supplement the nutrition a person receives from their normal diet. That makes the question of how supplements impact hair loss and hair growth into a very complex question.
For a person with insufficiencies in their diet, supplements are absolutely vital. People who do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, for instance, will almost definitely need multi-vitamins and those who do not drink enough dairy products may need a calcium supplement.
Can Supplements Help Grow Hair?
Yes, if you know what your body needs to be supplemented. We discussed previously how low niacin can contribute to hair loss. If you are low in B vitamins (like niacin) and add a vitamin supplement, it will almost definitely improve your hair growth and possibly even slow hair loss. However, if you are not lacking in your B vitamins, a supplement with them may have absolutely no effect.
According to this study published by the National Institutes of Health, “Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals play an important, but not entirely clear role in normal hair follicle development and immune cell function. Deficiency of such micronutrients may represent a modifiable risk factor associated with the development, prevention, and treatment of alopecia.”
The study focused primarily on the role of vitamins and minerals (such as selenium and zinc) and their role in non-scarring alopecia – types of hair loss that include age-related hair loss. The results of the studies have suggested that in people with low or insufficient quantities of vitamins and mineral then supplements can be useful… especially B vitamin supplements that include biotin. But the study also found that too much of a vitamin or mineral can actually cause hair loss, such as over consumption of Vitamin A or zinc.
Can Too Much Zinc Cause Hair Loss?
The study said it appeared to cause increased hair loss in one older test subject. However, we also know that zinc is required for hair growth.
The Independent Pharmacy explained it like this, “Zinc is an essential mineral that plays critical roles in hair health, including enabling cell growth, protein production, hormone regulation and antioxidant protection within follicles. When zinc is deficient, these processes are impaired, often leading to thinning hair and increased shedding, known as telogen effluvium.”
The best advice then would be to make certain that you are getting enough of the minerals while not getting too much. Simple, right?
Because of the conflicting information about many vitamins and minerals and their role in hair health, Harvard Medical School recommends testing from your doctor to determine what supplements you need and how much. “There is conflicting scientific evidence supporting the benefit of vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (folate), vitamin B7 (biotin), and vitamin B12 for hair loss,” they write, suggesting you consult your doctor.
It becomes even more confusing when news organizations and entertainment magazines weigh in on the advice. The Detroit News, for instance, published an advice column pointing out that zinc supplements have not been proven to be useful even for those with a zinc deficiency. But Glamour quotes a professor from Wayne State University, in Detroit, as saying that zinc supplements are especially effective for people with alopecia areata.
It is no wonder people are confused about supplements and hair loss.
Precision Has the Hair Restoration Advice & Treatments You Need
Here at Precision Hair Restoration, we understand that keeping up with the latest science can be confusing and daunting. That is why we do it for you. If our diagnostics show that supplements might help with your hair loss, we can direct you to the ones most likely to be effective. Let us help stop the confusion surrounding your hair loss, call us today to schedule a consultation.
