Vitamins for hair loss - Hair Vitamins

A popular German monk Martin Luther once said, "The hair is the richest ornament of women". But these days men and women both treat hair as their ornament, several hair styles and hair products are gaining popularity for both men and women. Hair is all about improving a person’s look and visual appeal. So when the topic of hair loss comes about, every one shudders and secretly prays they never go through it.

What causes hair loss?
When you talk about hair loss, you typically think of balding old men! Wake up to reality, hair loss is not something that only old men are prone to. More and more women and teenagers are experiencing hair loss.

There are several reasons why you may be plagued by hair loss. There could be an infection in the body or a disorder that could lead to hair loss. Eating habits, stress and your lifestyle also play a part in hair loss.

Before we proceed to hair loss, lets understand certain basics of hair. Hair is made of a protein called keratin. Hair consists of the hair shaft, which is the visible part, hair root, which is under the surface of the skin, follicle from where the root grows, and hair bulb, which is the end of the follicle and where melanin is produced. It is also important to understand that on an average a person looses 100 hair per day. Anything more than this would be considered abnormal and should be a matter of concern.

Common causes for hair loss
There are certain reasons or causes for hair loss.

• Illness – if a person is suffering from an illness or a medical condition like diabetes, thyroid problem, kidney problem or even polycystic ovary syndrome, there will be an increased hair loss.
• Medications – the side effects of certain medication like those for acne and cancer leads to hair loss. Diet pills can also lead to hair loss.
  
• Styling and treatments – continuous exposure to styling products and treatments such as perming, straightening and coloring can lead to hair loss.
  
• Bad diet – a bad and poor diet can lead to hair loss. This is because the body is not getting sufficient nourishment and that hampers hair growth.
  
• Interference in hair growth cycle – when the body goes through some major change like childbirth, taking anesthesia or surgery, the hair growth cycle gets altered and can lead to hair loss.

If you notice increased hair loss then the best solution here is to go to a doctor and get medical help. There could be a serious problem that needs help. Worry not, most likely it is a bad diet that needs rectifying, nothing a few vitamins cannot solve.

Hair Vitamins – Vitamins for hair loss
So what is the treatment for hair loss and how does one stop it? The most common reason for hair loss is lack of vitamins in the body, specially that of Vitamin B. As the body starts getting its daily dose of Vitamins, hair loss will be noticeably reduced.

There is a list of vitamins that can be taken as a part of hair loss treatment.

• Vitamin A – This antioxidant is what helps in the secretion of healthy sebum in the scalp. Meat, dairy products, veggies like carrots, cabbage, spinach, fruits like peaches, apricots and fish liver oil are sources of Vitamin A.
  
• Vitamin E – this vitamin increases circulation in the scalp, which in turn promotes hair growth. Raw seeds, cold pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, nuts and green leafy vegetables are a great source for natural vitamin E.
  
• Vitamin C – for over healthy hair Vitamin C is the vitamin to take. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and strawberries are the most common source for Vitamin C. Other sources of Vitamin C are potatoes, green peppers and leafy green vegetables.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – this is another Vitamin that helps in scalp circulation. It is found in wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, meat and poultry.
  
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – also known as Calcium Pantothenate this vitamin is important for growth and health of hair. It is found in egg yolk, milk, liver, kidney and potatoes.
• Vitamin B6 – important for the production of melanin, this vitamin ensures that hair looks and stays healthy. Found in whole grain cereals, egg yolk and organ meats, it taken in large quantities leads to numbness in limbs.
• Vitamin B12 – this vitamin found in fish, milk, eggs and chicken helps prevention of hair loss.
• Biotin – Commonly known as Vitamin H this vitamin prevents hair from graying and falling. Whole grains, liver, milk and rice is where it is commonly found.
• Zinc – Those suffering from zinc deficiency will notice bald patch and scalp disorders, which can be prevented by consuming food rich in zinc.
• L-Methionine and L-Cysteine – though these are not technically vitamins, they help in improving growth, quality and texture of hair and also stops hair loss.

These hair vitamins are easily accessible and can be taken as a part of the diet or as supplements. It is advisable to consult with a doctor before taking any vitamin supplements as the overdose of any can be harmful and have side effects.

Hair loss can be a traumatic experience but not one that cannot be handled. A simple visit to the doctor or dermatologist can help ease the distress that comes with loss of your lustrous locks.