Wednesday, 24 August 2011

The Role of Vitamins in Growing Hair

Anyone who has suffered from hair fall will know how devastating this can be. This condition can affect relationships, lower self-esteem and reduce levels of confidence. To lose some strands is a normal experience; however, when excessive fall is noticed on clothes, brushes and pillows, it can be quite worrying. There are numerous reasons for such a condition which can include genetics, hormones and stress. Many people are left trying to fathom out which hair loss treatment will be the most effective. The following information will detail some of the treatments offered.

Between the age of twenty and thirty, many men will notice that their hair has started to thin; unfortunately, this process can also happen earlier, during the late teens. For women, hair thinning tends to occur between the age of forty and fifty. Alternatively, hair thinning can also present itself during menopause or after having a baby. Often in men, this condition is genetic, leaving sufferers feeling that there is not a great deal they can do to reverse the process.

Lack of essential vitamins, particularly B7 or the K vitamin as it is often known, may result in thinning hair. Bacteria from the intestine produce this substance; however, most is obtained through eating foods such as salmon and bananas. Foods that are very rich in this compound include egg yolks, peanuts and liver. When the body does not receive the required amounts, a number of symptoms often result.

Recent studies have suggested that the by-product of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase and testosterone—DHT—is the main culprit in male pattern baldness. Cleansing formulas that contain what are known as botanicals can prohibit the harmful effects of DHT, therefore encouraging a reduction in balding and thinning. Other studies claim that growth is interrupted when white blood cells flood the follicle to cleanse away excess dirt and oil. This process, as it is claimed, interferes with the natural function of the follicle, leaving it less effective and unable to stimulate new growth.

Biotin, the K vitamin or B7, has several functions which include the transportation of carbon dioxide around one’s body. The functions of biotin include conversion of food into energy, cell growth, synthesis of fatty acids, and the metabolism of the amino acid leucine.

Alopecia, loss of eyelashes and eyebrows, depression and an ineffective immune system can all be experienced when an individual does not receive the necessary amounts of this vitamin. It is an important part of any diet.

A number of products on the market claim to reverse hair thinning and baldness. It is hardly surprising that many of these compounds contain biotin, as there is a well-established correlation between this nutrient and hair loss. Zinc is another important substance associated with treating this condition, and as such is often contained in treatment formulations.

Finding an effective hair loss treatment might involve different products for different symptoms. As such, it is a good idea to take advice from a hair loss expert as to which product is most appropriate for an individual.