Herbs & Vitamins For Hair Loss

Certain herbs and vitamins can help prevent, reduce or counter hair loss problems. Some people experience hair loss because of a deficiency in their diet. This can be easily remedied by eating a balanced meal complete with essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and fatty acids.

B Vitamins

Vitamins B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B8 (inositol) and B9 (folic acid) are all B-complex vitamins which are vital for optimal hair growth. Foods rich in B-complex vitamins include peas, beans, cauliflower, carrots, bran, nutritional yeast, soy beans, eggs and nuts.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps improve the circulation of the scalp by maintaining capillaries that carry blood to the hair follicles. It also improves the absorption of glucosamine, iron and other nutrients needed for hair growth.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps increase the uptake of oxygen, improving the circulation of blood to the scalp. This vitamin is also known to enhance the body's natural immune function, helping to stimulate growth of healthy hair.

Zinc

Zinc helps enhance immune function and promotes hair growth. It is an essential mineral for maintaining good health and promoting cell division as well as muscle building and maintenance. It also helps fight common skin problems such as acne, sores and boils.

Saw Palmetto

Perhaps the most common and popular herbal alternative for treating hair loss, saw palmetto helps to lower the amount of Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, in the body. This is significant because high levels of DHT have been known to cause male or female pattern baldness. Saw palmetto also blocks the 5-alpha reductase enzymes and receptors in the cell membrane that are required for DHT absorption.

Nettle Root

Like saw palmetto, nettle root also blocks 5-alpha reductase as well as aromatase, which helps make estrogen. Excessive or imbalanced male and female hormone production is known to be the leading cause of natural hair loss. Nettle root extract helps inhibit hormone production.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is known to help heal small wounds faster and relieve skin irritations. It also helps in the process of skin, hair and collagen growth. Gotu kola helps maintain blood circulation and vessel integrity and is also known for improving concentration and memory.

Tags: hair growth, hair loss, 5-alpha reductase, also blocks, also blocks 5-alpha