The Basics on Vitamins for Hair Loss
Hair loss is caused by a wide variety of factors. The treatment of hair loss is still mostly an art; however, the list of options for treatment is improving. The application of vitamins for controlling hair loss, or even the use of vitamins for reversing hair loss, is becoming more acceptable.
Using Vitamins for Hair Loss
The primary kinds of vitamins used for hair loss are those considered antioxidants. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that can help produce healthy sebum in the scalp, while vitamin C is also an antioxidant that helps maintain general skin & hair health. Vitamin C is available in common foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables and, therefore, should be a natural inclusion in your suite of vitamins used for hair loss.
Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation, however, it can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. If you are taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants you should check with your doctor before taking Vitamin E for hair loss. An alternative to Vitamin E is Niacin (Vitamin B3). This vitamin also promotes scalp circulation, however, there are some slight side effects that have been documented that may reduce your use of this vitamin for treating hair loss.
Not all vitamins are called vitamins and biotin is one such example, and as it aids in producing keratin, it may actually help prevent graying and hair loss. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) also may prevent graying and hair loss.
Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are both recommended for preventing hair loss and, therefore, should be used in your application of vitamins for hair loss treatment.
Treating Hair Loss with Natural Products
In addition to applying vitamins for hair loss treatment, there are additional natural remedies. For instance Ginkgo biloba is a very popular herbal remedy that some believe delivers more nutrients to the hair follicles and so promotes hair re-growth. Although not a vitamin treatment for hair loss, shou wu, is an ancient Chinese herb that has been used for centuries for hair loss and baldness. It is frequently available in both tea and capsule form and is one of the main ingredients found in many commercial remedies for the treatment of hair loss.
Two other natural remedies are popular. Saw palmetto has the ability to protect the prostrate and can slow hair loss down as well as re-grow it. Finally, it is well known that the chemical DHT attacks the hair follicle and causes hair loss in males and sometimes in women. It is, however, not known that the stinging nettle blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This natural remedy can be purchased in both pill and capsule form. In conclusion, using a combination of a vitamin treatment for hair loss and other natural remedies, is becoming a more acceptable form of alternative medicine as vitamins for hair loss is itself, becoming better documented and as a result, is regarded as safe.
