Preventing hair loss in women - The role of vitamins

Women are equally affected by hair loss as men. But they try to cover the bald areas on their scalp with various hair styles. Also the hair loss in women is not as severe as in men.

But women are more affected than men psychologically by hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in women as in men. Women affected by androgenetic alopecia have diffuse thinning of hair in the scalp.

It is estimated that about 20% of women are affected by hair loss. Another important cause of hair loss in women is telogen effluvium. This is due to stress resulting from various factors like pregnancy, medications, hormonal imbalance, and nutritional deficiencies including vitamin and iron deficiency or hypothyroidism.

Vitamins carry out various important functions in the body at the cellular level. They are essential for tissues that grow actively. Hair follicle is one such actively growing tissue in the body and it needs vitamins and minerals for its growth.

If there is deficiency of vitamins, the hair follicle becomes unhealthy and it results in hair loss and baldness. Vitamin supplementation helps in replenishing these vital nutrients and they help the hair follicles remain healthy.

Most of the women with hair loss have deficiency in biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, lysine and iron. The following are some of the vitamins that are to be provided to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth in women. These vitamins are included in various preparations meant for treating hair loss.

Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin. It is also called as cyanocobalamin. It is not synthesized in the body and hence it has to be provided in the diet or as supplements.

Unlike all the other vitamins, vitamin B12 is available only in animal sources. The sources include chicken, fish, eggs and milk are rich in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis and it has been found to promote hair growth in women.

Biotin - Biotin is another B complex vitamin. It is essential for the synthesis of keratin and hair growth. It is useful in maintaining health hair, skin and nails. For good hair growth 3 mg of biotin should be supplemented everyday. Liver and egg yolks are rich in biotin.

Niacin - Niacin is a B complex vitamin and it is also called vitamin B3. It improves the blood circulation in the scalp and helps to maintain healthy hair follicles. It is found in Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat.

Pantothenic acid - It is also called vitamin B5. It prevents hair loss and also graying of hair. Whole grain cereals, brewer's yeast, organ meats and egg yolks are rich in vitamin B5.

Vitamin C - Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables are rich in vitamin C. The hair loss preventing properties of vitamin C is due to its antioxidant properties.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E is the most popular antioxidant that is being used. It helps in preventing hair loss by its antioxidant properties. It promotes hair growth by improving the blood circulation in the scalp.

Brad chase owns and operates ProgressiveHealth.com which provides information on topics such as: How Vitamins Slow Hair Loss in Females . He focuses on research articles that illustrate how nutrition, exercise, and diet affect well being.