It seems that the vitamin for hair loss is vitamin D.
Research on mice shows that vitamin D, namely 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
regulates the expression of genes of the skin. When scientists knocked
out those genes, the mice displayed vitamin D deficient symptoms of
rickets and hair loss. They had total hair loss at 8 months old with
the formation of dermal cysts starting at the age of 3 weeks.
This is a strong indication that hair loss in young men could be a
result of a lack of vitamin D. It isn't conclusive since scientists
deliberately knocked out the genes responsible rather than depriving
the mice of vitamin D itself. It also doesn't rule out many other
factors which could be involved in the process of hair loss.
Is vitamin D the only possible vitamin for hair loss, or are there
other nutrients which link to the biological processes of this vitamin?
Omega 3 happens to be one of them.
The Essential Fatty Acid link
Maybe it isn't the modern indoor lifestyle which is to blame, but the
increasing deficiency of the Essential Fatty Acids in our diet,
especially Omega 3. It has been shown that the essential fatty acids
help eliminate eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, help prevent hair loss by
controlling the flow of oils and nourish collagen, the supporting
structure beneath the skin. So, what is the link to vitamin D? Believe
it or not essential fatty acids aid in the production and excess
removal of cholesterol. As well as being necessary for many vital
bodily functions, cholesterol is required for the body to manufacture
its own vitamin D, which, as I have shown, seems to be the key vitamin
for hair loss.
If you suffer from a scalp condition, such as flaky scalp or psoriasis
as well as hair loss, then this would seem to be the problem. As well
as vitamin D and the essential fatty acids, I would recommend a shampoo
treatment such as those which contain coal tar. Is it just these two
nutrients that we should be concentrating on? Well, there's more.
Iron and L-lysine deficiencies
Serum ferritin provides a good assessment of iron content in the body.
For the last 40 years it has been shown that a low level of serrum
ferritin has been associated with female hair loss. The same is true
for L-lysine, the essential amino acid. In a double-blind study, women
with hair loss responded well to both iron and L-lysine therapy.
Copper and zinc deficiencies
According to scientific studies on mice, excess zinc causes hair loss. Also, lack of copper is also known to breakdown proteins, including those in both nails and hair. A different experiment showed that deficiencies in the copper / zinc ratio
causes hair cells in mice to die off. Again, copper as copper chloride,
although not fully tested, has shown to have positive results for hair
loss. Incredibly, new research (June 2006) shows that a copper peptide
injected into the skin induced very strong hair follicle growth. This
all points to a lack of copper as a real cause of hair loss (and
allergies). It isn't so much the excess zinc that caused the hair loss,
merely the out of balance ratio between copper and zinc zinc sulfate
itself was found to be an inhibitor of DHT production (DHT is the
chemical which is said to cause hair loss in men). The message here is
not to overdose on zinc without taking copper as well. In fact high
dosages of both might be beneficial. Although, copper really does seem
to be the mineral for hair loss. Sesame and flaxseed are believed by
Chinese women to be good for the hair and scalp. Sesame has
unsurprisingly high amounts of copper and zinc, plus lignans.
Soybean extract and isoflavones
Ingredients in soy, namely the isoflavones, reduced DHT in the blood
plasma (DHT is said to be responsible for hair loss). DHT is converted
from testosterone by an enzyme called 5a-reductase. Soy extracts were
shown to inhibit this enzyme. It should also prevent prostate cancer as
prostate cancer is also reported to be associated with an increase in
DHT.
Vegetarianism and hair loss - vitamin b12
Vegetarians often lack vitamin B12. In fact, 40% of the American
population does according to a study by Tuffs university in 2001. But
the study says that it isn't people aren't eating enough meat but that
the vitamin isn't being absorbed. Also what is interesting is the fact
that young people in their twenties had the same deficiencies as those
65 and older. Lack of vitamin B12 is a known vitamin for hair loss. So
how do you increase your absorption of vitamin B12?
The digestive system
If you are not absorbing vitamins and minerals correctly, then the gut
is not working properly. Before taking any vitamin for hair loss, or
any other nutritional supplement, the gut has to be cleansed. The poor
absorption could be due to parasites and bad bacteria working in the
gut. Clinical grade acidophilus can fix the bacteria, and herbs or the
Sputnik capsule at the Turner Clinic can take care of any parasite
infection. Parasite infection is more common than most people realize,
especially those with pets.
» left by GK from Tennessee (1 year 337 days ago.)
this was a very good article...learned a lot of helpful information. It answered some questions I had....I will recommend this link to others! Respond to this comment
This article is not credible without citations. If a study showed something and you want to tell us about it, you need to name the study. That way, other people can verify your claims.
Lacks name of study cited. I am aware of that study, you fail to mention that those mice was very genetically altered. The results for the mice were based on Vit. D analogs and reaction to the keratin production of mice skin based on their gentically modified condition. It's not a comparable to humans.
Copper raises estrogen levels, in people with low estrogen this may help hair loss, for those who already have high estrogen levels increasing copper might actually aggravate the situation, so it's not one rule for everyone. P.S you sure know how to show a mouse a good time.
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