Folic Acid for Hair Growth
There are many reasons why hair loss occurs in both men and women, such as, due to the natural aging process, hereditary factors, hormonal imbalances in women, side effects of a medicine, medical conditions like Alopecia, illnesses like thyroid problems, stress and depression, and also due to a poor diet. A diet which is inadequate, especially in the vitamins and minerals that are very necessary for hair growth, is one of the major reasons behind pre-mature thinning or loss of hair. The minerals and vitamins which are imperative for hair growth, are the B vitamins, i.e. vitamin B6, also known as biotin, inositol, vitamin B5, vitamin B3, magnesium, zinc, sulfur and folic acid. Here is some information on these vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, for healthy hair growth.
Biotin and Folic Acid for Hair Growth
Biotin
Biotin or vitamin B6 should be made part of one's daily diet as it makes the hair healthy and also stimulates the hair growth. Besides this, biotin is very beneficial for the skin too. Researches have shown that increasing the intake of Biotin helps in preventing male hair loss. Some of the biotin rich foods are brown rice, peas, lentils, soybeans, sunflower seeds, brewer's yeast, and walnuts.
Folic Acid
Being a water-soluble vitamin, folic acid or vitamin B6, is very beneficial for the health of the hair. Folic acid helps in the formation of the red blood cells and is also very important for maintaining the health of the central nervous system. Folic acid also helps in replacing the old cells of the body with new cells. It is these properties of the Folic acid, which makes it important for the growth and development of the various cells, organs, tissues and structures in the body, including the hair. Foods rich in folic acid are green leafy vegetables, liver, rice, oranges, wheat, soybeans and brewer's yeast.
Other Vitamins and Minerals for Hair Growth
Vitamin C: Intake of vitamin C helps in improving blood circulation in the scalp, thereby preventing baldness in the process. Foods rich in vitamin C are oranges, guava, lemon, strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and cabbage.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps in boosting the oxygen intake by the body, thus resulting in better blood circulation. Vitamin E enhances the immunity of a person too, thus promoting hair growth.
Zinc and Magnesium: Zinc and magnesium, increase the immunity and promote hair growth in a person. Foods rich in Zinc are wheat bran, shellfish, oysters, brewer's yeast, and pine nuts. Foods rich in magnesium are green vegetables such as spinach, beans, nuts, peas, nuts and whole grain.
Dosage of Folic Acid for Hair Growth
In order to promote hair growth, besides eating the foods rich in folic acid and other essential minerals and vitamins, a person can take supplements of these too. As mentioned above, vitamin B9 or Folic acid has tremendous benefits as far as hair growth is concerned. But how much folic acid is sufficient for hair growth? Ideally, the dosage for its intake should be decided only after consulting a dermatologist. Normally, for men, regular dosage is 400mcg, and for women, it is 200 mcg. However, follow the instructions given by the dermatologist completely, as far as the vitamin B supplements are concerned, as over dosage can be very detrimental to the health. There are various hair care products too that are available in the market which contain folic acid as an important ingredient. Applying such shampoos and conditioners on your hair is another way of using folic acid for hair care.
Before starting a course of vitamins or folic acid for healthy hair growth, it is very important to ascertain the exact cause of your hair loss. A person suffering from hair loss can start by getting his blood test done as it is a good way to identify any vitamin deficiency. Also, when you do take vitamin supplements, remember to take them in moderation, for best results.
