Biotin and zinc. Are these the hair loss treatments for the twenty first century?

If you are a woman who is experiencing hair fall, or downright balding, you are very much aware that the pharmacological research into hair loss is concerned primarily with male pattern baldness, and any benefit that women may get from such research is negligible, at best. Few of these pharmaceutical drug treatments, whether topical or internal, even work on women. Those that do usually require long-term use, with little chance of success. But is it possible that the key to hair retention in women is nothing more dramatic or expensive than good nutrition?

Why Biotin?

Biotin is a doctor's recommended vitamin used for treating hair loss, and is found in rich foods like soy, milk, egg yolks and liver. It is a natural nutritional supplement that helps reverse hair loss and keep skin and nails looking healthy.

Our growth and replication of cells depends on biotin. Biotin releases the energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is a complex vitamin used for the production of fatty acids. The main sources of biotin are liver, kidneys, milk, cheese, butter, poultry, cauliflower, bananas, watermelon, peas, brewer's yeast, nuts, beans, oat bran, salmon, and mackerel. Eating rich foods will give the body an average level of biotin. Some shampoos with biotin can also help stimulate hair growth. One reason why several dermatologists suggest using Biotin supplements is because thousands of calories are needed daily to keep our hair healthy, and if you are trying to lose to, or maintain, a healthy weight, eating more than 2,000 calories a day is not advisable.

The purpose of the B-vitamin is to maintain metabolism. Biotin is especially useful for people with high cholesterol. The positive effects of Biotin are it helps maintain healthy and strong hair, and it makes efficient use of the protein, carbohydrates and fats that we eat. The only negative effect of biotin is that it hasn't proven 100% effective. It is however more effective when taken with other B-vitamins. The "other B-vitamins" include choline, folic acid, vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, vitaminB6, and vitamin B-12.

People taking prescription drugs should exercise caution and consult their doctor before using high dose biotin supplements. In some cases, illness has resulted from taking high doses of various vitamin supplements with pharmaceutical drugs. On the flip side, some medications can actually cause Biotin deficiency. In such a case, you may need to take a higher dose to achieve the desired benefits. A few signs of Biotin deficiency are nausea, depression, and anorexia. (Although, in the latter case, the deficiency may be the result not the cause.)

Zinc: The Other White Tablet

Then there's Zinc, one of the controlling nutrients for progesterone production. The old wives' tale about oysters being a great aphrodisiac is scientifically correct because oysters are loaded with zinc. If you've done your research on the mineral, you must have read the conflicting reports on the subject of zinc and hair loss: some say that zinc supplements can reverse hair loss, others claim that zinc tablets can also trigger hair loss. Who's claims are correct?

A few facts about Zinc: It's a trace mineral that is found in the body. It plays a vital role in many bodily processes and functions such as in cell reproduction, hormonal balance, proper absorption of vitamins, and in protein synthesis. All these processes are vital for proper hair growth such that an adequate amount of this mineral is needed to prevent hair thinning and loss.

<1  Next>

21ST CENTURY APOTHECARY
All contents copyright 2009 21st Century Apothecary/Sky's Limit
Site design by