Review of Vitamins that help slow hair loss in women
Women develop hair loss as frequently as men do, but because of hormonal differences, women don’t lose as much hair volume. Because of the difference in hair styling, women hide hair loss more efficiently. They have a different pattern of hair loss.
Reasons for Hair Loss in Women
About 20% of women suffer from hair loss and it is quite significant. Most of the women with hair loss suffer from androgenetic alopecia with diffuse thinning of hair.
The second most common cause is telogen effluvium which is due to stress. The stress could be in the form of pregnancy, medications, hormonal imbalance, and nutritional deficiencies including vitamin and iron deficiency or hypothyroidism.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential nutrients that are provided by diet or have to be supplemented to carry out many important functions in the body. There are two groups of vitamins – fat soluble and water soluble vitamins.
The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. The water-soluble vitamins include B complex vitamins and vitamin C.
Most of these vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy hair. Deficiencies of these vitamins result in hair loss. This is the reason why most of the hair treatment preparations contain various vitamins in different combinations.
Hair loss and vitamin supplements
Most of the women with hair loss have a deficiency in biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, lysine and iron. The following are some of the vitamins which are very essential for hair growth and which are to be supplemented in patients with hair loss –
Vitamin B12 – Chicken, fish, eggs, and milk are rich in vitamin B12. It is essential for DNA synthesis and is very useful in promoting hair growth. It is a nutrient hair just can’t live without and women can easily develop a deficiency.
Biotin – It is a B complex vitamin. It helps in the synthesis of keratin. It prevents graying of hair and stops hair loss. Biotin is a major component in the natural hair manufacturing process. It is essential to not only grow new hair, but it also plays a major role in the overall health of skin and nails. It is present in foods like liver and egg yolks. For good hair growth, 3 mg of biotin should be supplemented every day.
Niacin – It is also called vitamin B3. It improves blood circulation in the scalp and promotes hair growth. It is found in Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey, and meat.
Pantothenic acid – It is also called vitamin B5. It prevents hair loss and also graying of hair. Whole grain cereals, brewer’s yeast, organ meats, and egg yolks are rich in vitamin B5.
Vitamin C – Vitamin C has got antioxidant properties which help in preventing hair loss in women. Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, and dark green vegetables are rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin E – It is a fat-soluble vitamin and has got antioxidant properties and hence it is useful in the treatment of hair loss. It also improves blood circulation in the scalp. Cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables are rich in vitamin E.
