Vitamins and Minerals Deficiencies Can Play Role in Hair Loss

A proper balance of vitamins and minerals takes a big part in making hair strong and healthy. Nutritional deficiencies, especially lack of certain vitamins and micro-elements, can often lead to partial or even complete hair loss. Maintaining the nutritional balance and making sure that your diet contains all necessary amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements is therefore a key element in preventing and reversing hair thinning and baldness.

Although many people think they can obtain all required vitamins from multivitamin supplements, this approach is often questionable. Some experts in the field insist that synthetic, isolated vitamins and huge doses of minerals that cannot be supplied by diet alone, is not only useless for the body, but can also be harmful. Therefore, it is always safer to make properly selected foods a source of essential micro-elements for the health of your skin, internal organs, and hair.

Vitamin A is one of the most important fat-soluble catalysts involved in numerous biochemical processes, including the growth of hair and the proper nourishment of hair follicles. It works as an antioxidant by neutralising harmful free radicals, producing healthy lubrication in the scalp, and preventing dandruff. Contrary to the popular opinion, the most important for human consumption, preformed vitamin A (retinol) is found ONLY in rich animal foods - organ meats, such as liver or kidneys, butter, egg yolks, cod liver oil, and other forms of seafood. Pro-vitamin A (carotene), contained in colourful vegetables and fruits, is also a powerful antioxidant with numerous beneficial properties, but some people cannot convert carotenes into an easily assimilated form of vitamin A. People with diabetes and those with poor thyroid function - the same two categories who usually suffer from hair loss the most - are often unable to convert carotenes into Vitamin A, and thus need a constant supply of proper animal foods to obtain necessary amounts of naturally-occurring, preformed Vitamin A. Synthetic vitamin A from vitamin supplements can be toxic for the body.

Water-soluble Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is another vitamin highly important for the heath of hair. Again, it is found mostly in animal products, particularly raw or undercooked, such as raw milk, raw cheeses, rare beef steaks, Japanese sashimi (raw fish), or French-style steak tartar (made of raw grated beef mixed with egg yolks and spices). Vitamin B6 is famous for its strong anti-carcinogenic and enzyme-promoting properties. Deficiencies are involved in the development of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Vitamin B6 is also known to boost the production of melanin and slow hair shedding.

Selenium is one of the most important minerals that promote the health of the scalp and hair. A vital antioxidant, it maintains healthy heart function and protects the immune system. Selenium is known for its ability to counteract radiation and rid the body from toxic substances. Best sources of this important mineral are butter, seafood, Brazil nuts, and whole grains given that they have been grown in selenium-rich soil.

Silicon, another mineral beneficial for hair, nails, skin, and connective tissue, can be obtained in sufficient quantities from homemade chicken or bone marrow broths. Silicon contributes to the strength of bones and hair, prevents atherosclerosis, and protects against toxic amounts of aluminium.

Sulphur is part of the amino acid chemical structure and a major component of connective tissue in skin, hair, nails, and cartilage. It is a catalyst of many biochemical processes, which also forms building blocks of cell membranes. Sufficient amounts of dietary sulphur are necessary for strong, healthy hair. It can be found in different types of cabbage, eggs, milk, and numerous animal products.

Other important vitamins and minerals that make healthy skin and hair include Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

In addition to obtaining a proper amount of hair-friendly vitamins and micro-elements, it is important to consume sufficient protein and beneficial fatty acids. Dull, shedding hair is often a sign if acute protein deficiency and lack of healthy fats in the diet. Taking on a daily basis, health-promoting amino acids from animal protein and fatty acids, found primarily in traditional animal fats, coconut and olive oils, have a power to heal the scalp and reverse hair loss caused by non-genetic reasons.

For the health of your hair, opt for a diet rich is quality animal products from pastured animals, natural traditional fats, such as butter and coconut oil, some whole grains, and a variety of fresh and cultured fruits and vegetables.

Liana Lipinski