What Is Folic Acid
Folic acid , also known as vitamin B9, folacin, or pteroyl-L-glutamic acid, is one of the B vitamin complexes. Folic acid becomes bioactive for the body when it is metabolized by the liver, which converts it into dihydrofolic acid.
The body is not able to create folate, or vitamin B9, on its own it needs to receive folate via the diet, or folic acid via supplementation. Folate is found naturally in many foods:
- all cruciferous vegetables
- citrus fruits including oranges, lemons, grapefruits
- bananas
It is rare that a serious deficiency is found in the body. However, people often choose to take this vitamin as a supplement because the natural vitamin B9 that occurs in food can be damaged by a high temperature when food is cooked.
Many people take vitamin B9 supplements to boost the growth and condition of their hair, skin, and nails because the vitamin is required for the creation and repair of DNA, the coding of proteins, and the synthesis of new cells and tissues.
Vitamin B9 deficiency can compromise the health of the hair and skin and cause a number of conditions such as anemia, chronic diarrhea, or more serious cognitive and neurological issues and birth defects when a serious deficiency is maintained long term.
Vitamin B C & D And Hair Loss
Hair loss can be caused by many things from genetics to medical conditions, including nutritional and vitamin deficiency While vitamins wont correct hair loss from radiation treatments, chemotherapy, genetics, or autoimmune diseases, it will help provide a good foundation for hair growth and correct any nutrition-based hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss
As you start looking into vitamin B12 as a solution for thinning hair, its important to uncover the root cause of your condition. Hair loss may occur for several reasons.
- If you have a family history of alopecia or baldness, this might explain why you are experiencing a similar problem as your relatives.
- For women, hormonal imbalances brought about by pregnancy and menopause are a top cause of hair loss.
- Medical conditions, like scalp infections and autoimmune disorders, and use of certain drugs, as well as radiation therapy may lead to hair loss..
- Everyday stress, certain hairstyles, and beauty treatments can lead to hair loss.
With all the possible factors that can cause baldness, you should be aware of the solutions available to help you deal with it at its earliest stage.
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Low B12 And Hair Loss
Low B12 another cause of hair loss in women which is frequently missed by GPs. Its not a routine blood test and even when a person is tested for B12, if the result is borderline they will rarely be treated. The minimum level for B12 is around 180 ng/l however most healthy people have a level of around 500ng/l. Symptoms of low B12 often occur when blood level drops below 300 ng/l and include hair loss, breathlessness, lack of energy palpitations, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, tingling in the hands and feet.
There are two types of B12 deficiency:
- Lack of dietary B12 usually vegetarians and vegans. Animal produce rather than plants are rich in vitamin B12. Solution increase dietary B12 or/and take a B12 supplement.
- Autoimmune Antibodies to intrinsic factor prevent absorption of dietary B12. A blood test for intrinsic factor can be carried out to determine if your problem is dietary or autoimmune. If your problem is auto immune your GP will do further investigation to try to determine why it has developed. Treatment lifelong B12 injections.
An experienced Trichologist can help you to get to the root of your problem and recommend the best course of action. Hair loss in Women is one of the most common problems seen at The Cotswold Trichology Centre.
Food Rich In Vitamin B12
Most non-vegetarian food sources are vitamin B12 rich. Vegetarians and vegans are more at risk of having a vitamin B12 deficiency or low Vitamin B12 levels, although this can be addressed by an intake of appropriate foods.
Besides a healthy diet, if your daily requirement of Vitamin B12 is not getting fulfilled , you are recommended to take vitamin B12 for hair orally as a supplement. Just be careful of the below points
- OTC multivitamins often contain high amounts of B12. Check with your doctor once for the appropriate dosage before going for supplements.
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Why Vitamin B12 Is Important
The human body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, nerves, DNA, and carry out other functions. The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms a day. Like most vitamins, B12cant be made by the body. Instead, it must be gotten from food or supplements.
And therein lies the problem: Some people dont consume enough vitamin B12 to meet their needs, while others cant absorb enough, no matter how much they take in. As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common, especially among older people.
Recommended Doses Of Vitamin D
Its recommended that you get at least 600 IU or 15 micrograms of vitamin D a day starting at the age of 1. Babies younger than 1 should receive 400 IU of vitamin D. For people over the age of 70, the suggested intake jumps to 800 IU . If youre concerned about your vitamin D intake, ask your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels. When you get the recommended daily amount of vitamin D, youre able to maintain hair growth, bone health, and normal calcium breakdown.
Research shows that a lack of vitamin D in your body can lead to hair loss. One role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isnt enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, the autoimmune condition that causes bald patches on the scalp and other areas of the body. Both men and women can experience alopecia. Another study found that women 18 to 45 years old who experienced alopecia or other types of hair loss had low levels of vitamin D.
Reasons for insufficient vitamin D levels include spending more time indoors, wearing a lot of sunscreen, and not eating foods packed with the nutrient.
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Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Pregnancy
Again the most significant route to treat deficiency is the intake of food that contains b12. If you are a vegan or a vegetarian, it is advisable to ingest b12 supplements.
However, a minimum level of vitamin b12 deficiency is typical in pregnancy. Most gynecologists recommend the intake of b12 tablets during pregnancy as the deficiency is associated with neural tube defects in the fetus. Women who have a deficiency of vitamin B12 during pregnancy, may have a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with a potentially disabling or fatal birth defect.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
- Hair fall, diffuse hair loss or hair thinning, and premature greying of your hair
- Mouth ulcers
- Constipation
If the vitamin B12 deficiency isnt attended soon, it could have serious repercussions such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nerve problems and depression.
As you age, your body requires more b12. But your capacity to absorb adequate amounts of the vitamin also reduces. Generally your body stores 1,000 to 2,000 times as much vitamin B12 compared to your food intake in a day, so the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can take several years to appear.
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Female Pattern Hair Loss And Te
Data on vitamin D in female pattern hair loss and TE contradict data derived from studies indicating that women with FPHL or TE have lower levels of vitamin D than controls, and studies showing no correlation or even opposite results . To elucidate the role of vitamin D in FPHL and TE, additional large-scale trials are necessary .
Is Vitamin B12 Effective For Hair Loss
While vitamin B12 supplementation may help with hair loss, results are immediate. Your hair will still follow a normal growth cycle. Dont expect to see hair growth within days or even a couple weeks of supplementing with vitamin B12. Each strand of hair on your head may require up to 4 months to appear on the scalp depending on what stage it is at in the hair life cycle. B12 is a long-term strategy for hair growth. As you take a supplement or get an injection, you are consistently nourishing your growing cells with nutrients in order to maximize their growth.
Take away
Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin to boost the bodys overall health. It may also be a natural way to help improve hair growth. In fact, hair growth is just one of the bonuses you get from taking the supplement. A stronger immune system, better sleep, and healthier systems are all possible benefits of taking this essential vitamin.
The experts at Medical Weight Loss Centers of America are here to answer any questions you may have about vitamin B12. You can contact the team at any time and see how vitamin B12 may be an appropriate option for you depending on your goals.
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Best Foods Sources Of B12
Many foods have been fortified with varying levels of B12. Cereals are one commonly consumed food and are more often than not fortified with several B vitamins, including B12. Otherwise, below are a few sources of B12:
- Beef liver and claims provide high amounts of B12
- Meats such as chicken, beef, fish all contain B12
- Eggs and Milk are good sources of B12
Notably absent from that small list is plant foods. Unfortunately, we cannot get anywhere near enough B12 from plant foods, and therefore if you are vegetarian or vegan, it is crucial to supplement vitamins.
How To Diagnose Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is synonymous with low red blood cell count. You must be careful if you observe any of these symptoms and make appropriate changes to your diet after consultations with an expert. Some of these symptoms include
- Anemia
- Irritability
- Tingling of hands and feet
A minor deficiency does not cause symptoms but if it is not addressed, there can be far serious consequences such as heart palpitations and nervous system issues. Given the variety of symptoms, it is very easy to overlook or confuse it with something else.
With age, it becomes more difficult for vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the body. Conditions such as immune disorders, weight loss surgery, and heavy drinking also make it harder for vitamin B12 absorption by the body. These could also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and hair loss.
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Get A Free Hair Loss Evaluation
If you are experiencing hair loss, call RHRLI for a free consultation. My many years of experience as a hair restoration surgeon and my state-of-the-art facility using the ARTAS® robot means that you will have an outstanding experience. Contact us at RHRLI for an appointment by filling out our contact form.
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Can Hair Loss Due To Vitamin Deficiency Be Reversed
The best way to fight hair loss caused by vitamin deficiency is to plan a diet rich in Vitamin B12. You can also take Vitamin B12 supplements and other multivitamins that contain Vitamin B12.
Consult your doctor before taking Vitamin B12 supplements regarding the dosage because high doses may interact with certain medications.
Including some foods rich in Vitamin B12 can help in reversing hair loss. Eating meat and dairy can help in increasing Vitamin B12 in your body but you may struggle to meet the daily recommended value of Vitamin B12 if you are an older adult or have a digestive disorder that makes it difficult for your body to absorb Vitamin B12.
Some medications can also lower the Vitamin B12 levels in your body like proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists and metformin.
Given below are some foods that contain Vitamin B12 and adding them to your diet will help you get rid of hair loss due to vitamin deficiency.
- Chicken breast
- Oyster
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The Relation Between Hair Loss And Vitamin B12
The hair is made up of a protein called keratin. The keratin part of your hair is dead. However, the follicles are alive. The bottom part of the follicle, the bulb, has the fastest-growing cells in your body.
Your hair growth depends on healthy follicles. The blood vessels under your scalp feed the follicles and make the cells grow. In the end, vitamin B12 helps the blood cells and makes this process healthier. Due to B12 deficiency, your body tries to handle too many problems at once. This causes high-stress levels, and yes, stress causes hair loss too.
Whatever the reason is, if you start to notice bald spots on your hair out of nowhere, it is best to consult a doctor right away. After a detailed consultation, your doctor may give you prescription medications or may offer changes in your diet. In case of permanent hair loss, you may consider other solutions such as a hair transplant procedure.
How Can I Stop My Hair Loss
Eliminating the variables that cause your hair loss is the first step to stopping your hair loss. Be aware that there is not a magical solution. You may start with lifestyle changes and dietary updates. You can reduce alcohol consumption and smoking, and start taking supplementary and pharmacological medications. Most importantly, consult with a dermatologist whose specialty is scalp and hair loss to understand the root cause.
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