Vitamins for Women Hair Loss: a Great Ally

For many women, hair loss is an unexpected and stressful part of menopause. Fortunately, knowing what vitamins are missing from your diet can help you maintain healthy hair growth and maintenance. 

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Hair Loss in Women: the Facts

A number of women report thinning hair during their menopausal years. This is because their bodies have stopped producing as much hair-growth-supporting estrogen as they used to. Many women are worried that thinning hair is only the beginning, and that their condition could worsen. Some factors that could contribute to hair loss in women are:

• Genetics
• Menopause
• Vitamin & mineral deficiencies
• Other hormone imbalances

While no readily available or affordable medical procedures can totally overcome the power of genetics, vitamins and minerals have proven to be promising allies in women's struggle against hair loss.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Hair Loss

Healthy hair requires the same nutrients that a healthy body does, though a few vitamins and other substances in particular are effective at combating and preventing hair loss in women.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties and are believed to contribute to healthy hair growth. They are found in foods such as:

• Walnuts
• Salmon
• Soy
• Flax seeds

Iron and Protein

Iron deficiency is not uncommon in women, especially those in their childbearing years. Menopausal, women, however, are still susceptible to low levels of iron and protein, two more nutrients essential for preventing hair loss. These can be found in:

• Broccoli
• Liver
• Beef
• Lentils
• Oysters

B vitamins

Often overlooked, B vitamins - like vitamin B₁₂ and biotin (also called vitamin B₇) are perhaps the most essential ingredients for preventing hair loss in women.

Some sources of the vitamin B₁₂ include:

• Salmon
• Beef
• Liver
• Sardines

Some sources of biotin, or B₇, include foods such as:

• Peanuts
• Yogurt
• Cooked eggs
• Liver

Vitamins and Hair Loss: Next Steps

For women who want to prevent further hair loss or protect the hair they have, introducing the right balance of vitamins into the body is often the first step. For women who want to fight hair loss slightly more aggressively, certain herbal remedies can be combined with a vitamin regimen to help maintain healthy hair. For more information on herbal treatments, click here.

If ever you are concerned about your hair loss, or believe that it is a symptom of something other than menopause, please consult your doctor.