B12 Hair Loss Vitamin

Hair Loss: A Growing Concern

Only someone who's experienced it firsthand can possibly know the feeling of dread that accompanies a drain full of hair. Unfortunately, it's not just a small amount that's collected over a period of time; instead, it's just a few days worth of your precious locks that have left the drain struggling for air. While unclogging it is certainly a hassle, the greater concern you'll likely face is why exactly you're losing so much hair in the first place.

Whether it's due to aging, a genetic condition, a medical problem, or a dietary deficiency, hair loss is increasingly common and has become a genuine concern for many women as well as men. Clearly, the reasons for it vary and so do the treatments. However, some causes of hair loss may be remedied by doing something as simple as changing your diet.

Deficiencies that Cause Hair Loss

A healthy diet does a body good – and that includes the skin, nails, and hair. Light or moderate hair loss can be a sign that an important nutrient or vitamin is lacking. Replenishing your stores is generally easy enough if you know what you need!

• Vitamin A promotes cell growth and overall health. Prolonged deficiency of this essential vitamin can result in hair loss and dandruff.
• B vitamins are essential ingredients in any recipe for healthy hair. B6, B12 and folic acid all support red blood cells, which in turn provide constant supplies of blood and oxygen to the hair. A deficiency can result in damaged hair, slow hair growth, shedding, and overall hair loss.
• Vitamin C produces collagen, which is essential to building the hair's structure. Without it, hair is prone to splitting and breaking.
• Copper supports hemoglobin, which brings an adequate supply of blood to the hair shaft. A deficiency may result in increased shedding.
• Iron deficiency is a major cause of hair loss. Lack of it may lead to anemia, which in turn can cause loss and shedding.
• Zinc caters to the oil-secreting glands attached to hair follicles. Without it, dandruff and hair loss may result.

Additionally, protein and water are absolute essentials for any diet, regardless of whether hair loss is involved or not. Protein ensures that new hair can grow to replace the hair that is shed, while water hydrates the body, helps transport essential nutrients to the necessary places, and keeps the body in tiptop condition.

The Importance of B12 Vitamins

Vitamin B12 is sometimes a culprit when hair loss strikes. In addition to basic loss, damage, and slow growth mentioned above, a deficiency can also cause dandruff and scaling. All of these symptoms are detrimental to the overall condition of the scalp and the hair, but the good news is you don't have to live with it. In fact, a B12 deficiency can be reversed by simply – you guessed it – increasing its presence in your diet.

Eat Your B12 Vitamins

Foods rich in B12 include chicken, fish, pork, liver, soybeans, kidney, and eggs. It's clear by just a glance at this list that B12 is most commonly found in meat and poultry. Vegetarians often suffer a deficiency because they can't adequately consume foods that contain this important vitamin. However, there are several vegetarian-suitable foods that contain it, including fortified cereals, fortified soy milk, meat substitutes (for example, those made of soy or wheat gluten) and some sea vegetables. It should be noted, though, that most plant foods do not contain enough B12 to make a notable difference.

Take a B12 Hair Loss Vitamin

If this diet doesn't exactly sound appealing to you, you may still be able to obtain the amount you need by adding a B12 hair loss vitamin to your regimen. Though some vitamins will offer high quantities of B12, it's known that not all of it will be absorbed by the body. For that reason, a B12 supplement containing between 5-10 micrograms can be taken daily, or a weekly supplement containing 2000 micrograms may be used instead.

One of these products may suit your needs perfectly:

• Twinlab Vitamin B12 Micro-Sublingual Dots are easily dissolved under the tongue, have a pleasant cherry flavor and are free of yeast, soy, milk, wheat, egg, honey, preservatives, fructose, and artificial flavors and colors.
• Energizer Vitamins and Minerals for Hair Nutrition provides a complex, nourishing blend of ingredients to encourage hair growth, thickness, fullness and health. It contains six micrograms of B12.
• Thomas Namron Plus Multi Vitamin-Mineral Complex contains biotin, an essential ingredient for hair growth, as well as 12 micrograms of B12. This vitamin will boost energy, too!

Understanding how your diet can affect your hair is the first step toward overcoming hair loss due to nutrient deficiencies, and adding a B12 hair loss vitamin to your daily intake may be the second step toward thick, glossy hair.