Anything that alters the way the hair follicles absorb nutrients causes changes in hair growth — oftentimes leading to baldness.
With a depleted supply of nutrients, the follicles reduce in size.
Like malnourished people, a malnourished follicle fails at being effective, producing only thinner, shorter and weaker hair.
If you consult your doctor about your hair loss, although there are different treatments for baldness, you will probably be advised to change your diet to replenish your body’s supply of nutrients.
What follows is a list of essential vitamins that can rejuvenate dormant hair follicles and thus function as treatments for baldness:
Vitamin A: Sebum plays an important role in the distribution of natural moisture in the hair and scalp. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that can help regulate the production of sebum and keratin as it helps in the synthesis of retinoic acid in the hair follicles.
Good sources of vitamin A include liver oil, fish, carrots, squash, milk, and cheese. The safe daily dosage is 5,000 IU. Overdosing on vitamin A (over than 25,000 IU) can cause hair loss and other health problems.
Biotin (Vitamin H): Biotin is one of the B-complex vitamins that help produce keratin, the protein that constructs the hair. Biotin deficiency is often linked to hair loss because its basic role is in energy metabolism.
Liver, oatmeal, brewer’s yeast, roasted peanuts, and almonds are good sources of biotin. In supplement form, the daily dosage is 30 mcg.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It helps in the production of blood vessels, thus improving blood circulation and encouraging hair growth.
Excellent natural sources of vitamin E include leafy green vegetables, peanuts, and wheat germ oil. The daily recommended dosage for vitamin E is 400 IU.
Vitamin C: Aside from improving the immune system, vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron, the mineral necessary in oxygen transfer.
Citrus fruits, kiwi, cantaloupe, green peppers, vegetables, and potatoes are rich in vitamin C. The daily recommended dosage for vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Vitamin B5 is available widely in foods which is why it is otherwise known as pantothenic acid (pantothen which means “from every side” in Greek). Vitamin B5 has been proven to control blood cholesterol levels, aid in remedying hair loss, and is crucial in energy metabolism.
Good sources of vitamin B5 are egg yolk, meat, whole grain products, broccoli and sweet potatoes. As a supplement, the daily dosage is 5 mg.
One of the most natural treatments for baldness is to have a slight adjustment in your daily diet, that is, making sure to include the above-mentioned foods in your meals.
