B12 is one of a number of vitamins that can help hair growth.
In a society that values a healthy appearance in all bodily aspects, a full head of hair can go a long way to improving a person's image. While drugs of many kinds have been created to try to remedy hair loss, side effects seem too plentiful and many times vast amounts of money are spent with little to no results. Vitamin supplements usually have few if any side effects, tend to be less expensive than commercial medications, and have been known to help hair growth. Vitamin B12 is just one of these helpful and healthful hair-aiding vitamins.
Benefits of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble (easily dissolved in water) vitamin that is helpful in the formation of red blood cells, brain function and DNA synthesis. This essential nutrient has also been found to be helpful in transporting oxygen to different parts of the body. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause weakness, constipation, weight loss, balance issues and even depression in some cases. Correcting a B12 deficiency can also promote hair growth.
Vitamin B12 and Hair Loss
Vitamin B12's association with hair growth has to do with its assistance of oxygen transportation throughout the body. Hair, just like most body parts, requires oxygen to grow properly. Therefore, a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency can be hair loss. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B12, are not stored in the body as easily as fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. For this reason, it is important to ensure that daily recommended allowances of vitamin B12 are consumed each day. If this is accomplished, hair can grow much more normally. While simply taking extra vitamin B12 supplements will not necessarily cause hair growth (hair loss can occur for a number of reasons and is not always linked to vitamin deficiency), correcting a preexisting B12 deficiency can, in many instances, cause some hair to return.
Recommended Intake
The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) has established that the average person over 14 years of age requires 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 each day. Pregnant women require 2.6 micrograms per day and lactating women need 2.8. Any amount less than these is considered to represent a B12 deficiency and the possibility of hair loss is increased. Consuming foods and taking supplements to reach these recommended intake levels will, in most cases, do much to stimulate hair growth.
Food Sources of Vitamin B12
Though supplements can be a good way to add vitamins to the diet, consuming these nutrients in their natural food sources is usually considered the best way to get needed nutrition. Vitamin B12 can be found in large amounts in beef liver, clams, trout and salmon, and sirloin beef. The vitamin is also found in yogurt, milk, Swiss cheese and tuna. As discovered by examining each of these foods, vitamin B12 is found much more prevalently in meats and animal products. Vegans and others who do not consume can, unfortunately, only get adequate amounts of vitamin B12 through supplements and vitamin-fortified foods. Most breakfast cereals are fortified with at least 25% of the daily allowance of vitamin B12.
Vitamin Intake Warnings
Because vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it is difficult for the body to store, it is difficult to overdose on this essential nutrient. However, taking too much of any vitamin can have negative effects. Always read supplement labels and follow the instructions found thereon. Also, be sure to speak to your doctor or medical professional before making any major changes to vitamin intake in order to ensure the decision is a healthy one.
Tags: hair growth, hair loss, animal products, essential nutrient, growth Vitamin, hair growth Vitamin, have been