What Are The Best Supplements To Prevent Hair Loss?

With emergency flights to Turkey filling up fast, it’s evident that a balding epidemic is sweeping the nation. The crowded flights signify a refusal to let hair loss win. But what if you could sidestep the need for such drastic measures altogether?

When it comes to supplements, it’s not just about boosting your hair’s health directly; however, of course, that is important. It’s equally vital to address the hidden culprit behind hair loss, high stress levels. Often overlooked, tackling stress with the right supplements can make all the difference in keeping your hair thriving. Fortunately, we have all the bases covered for you…

Supporting Hair Health

The average person has between 100,000 to 200,000 hair follicles and sheds up to 100 strands daily. Losing more than this could result in your scalp becoming more visible than you’d prefer. But how can you ensure you’re not losing more hair than necessary?

Just like any other part of your body, your hair relies on nutrients to flourish and grow, making it crucial to understand which ones are essential.

Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is best recognized for its role in converting the food you eat into energy. Yet, it’s equally celebrated for its significant impact on hair health.

Although biotin is found in many foods, making a deficiency uncommon, not getting enough can lead to hair thinning and even hair loss.

This is because biotin is essential for producing keratin, the protein that forms the structure of hair strands. By enhancing the keratin infrastructure within hair follicles, biotin strengthens them, reducing unnecessary shedding.

In a 2012 study, women with thinning hair who took a hair growth supplement containing biotin for six months noticed visible improvements in overall hair volume, scalp coverage and thickness. However, as the supplement included other ingredients alongside biotin, incorporating some of those listed below might be a smart move to safeguard your hair’s future.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is vital for every cell in your body, making it essential for the survival of your hair.

A deficiency in vitamin B12 (medically known as vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia) reduces your body’s ability to produce red blood cells, and those it does produce are abnormally large. This leads to less oxygen reaching your tissues. When oxygen is scarce, your body prioritises vital organs over hair follicles. You might survive, but your hair doesn’t stand a chance.

On top of that, cobalamin plays a key role in metabolising amino acids, the building blocks of hair. Without enough of it, your hair growth will simply fail to keep pace with hair loss.

Adding a vitamin B12 supplement to your routine could be the game-changer your hairline needs.

Zinc

If you’re looking for a supplement that supports hair health, which is obviously why you’re here, zinc should be at the top of your list. It’s crucial for synthesising DNA and RNA, both of which are essential for the growth of hair follicle cells.

Much like biotin, zinc also plays a vital role in the production and regulation of keratin. So, if you’re one of the nearly 20% of people who are zinc deficient, expect to see weaker hair that’s more prone to falling out.

In fact, a study involving 15 alopecia patients with low zinc levels found that after 12 weeks of zinc supplementation, seven participants experienced impressive results, with more than 60% hair regrowth in their bald patches. 

Iron

Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies worldwide, affecting around 25% of people. But if you want to keep your hair healthy, make sure you’re part of the 75% who are getting enough.

Without adequate iron, your body struggles to produce hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to your cells. This includes the cells that stimulate hair growth, which means a lack of iron can considerably hinder hair vitality.

The good news is that most hair loss linked to iron deficiency isn’t permanent. As long as you address the root cause, you won’t have to be hopping on a flight to Turkey.

Collagen

More research is needed to fully understand collagen’s impact on hair health, but one theory can certainly be made based on what we do already know about this popular supplement.

As you age, your body’s natural collagen supply decreases, causing the loss of skin elasticity. This can affect your scalp’s ability to nourish healthy hair follicles, weakening hair roots and leading to thinner hair. Over time, this may make your hair more prone to shedding or thinning

So, while scientific evidence on collagen’s role in hair health is still limited, if you’re seeking something new to add to your hair’s supplement regimen, it’s worth giving it a try.

Reducing Stress Levels

It comes as no surprise that stress and hair loss are closely linked, but the science behind it all reveals just how deep the connection runs. 

When the body experiences stress it triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle by prematurely pushing hair follicles into the resting phase, known as telogen, where they stop producing new strands.

Stress also reduces blood flow to the scalp, depriving hair follicles of essential nutrients and oxygen, weakening the hair and making it more prone to falling out. In cases of prolonged stress, the immune system may even start attacking healthy hair follicles.

These biological responses show that stress doesn’t just weigh on your mind, but it can also leave its mark on your scalp. So, what supplements should you take?

Reishi Mushroom

Mushroom coffee has quickly become one of the latest trends in the supplement world, boasting a variety of calming ingredients, with Reishi Mushroom leading the charge as the top choice.

This “magic” mushroom works wonders by regulating the body’s stress response, helping to stabilise cortisol and adrenaline levels that spike during stressful moments.

But that’s just the beginning! Reishi is also packed with triterpenes, compounds that support the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system. Think of it as your body’s natural chill button, counteracting the “fight or flight” response by slowing your heart rate, relaxing your muscles, and boosting gland activity, all of which create a deep sense of calm.

Whether you choose reishi mushrooms in capsule form or as part of your mushroom coffee, they’ll help you unwind enough to stop life’s stresses from making your hair fall out.

Ginseng

Ginseng, especially Panax ginseng, is celebrated for its adaptogenic abilities, helping the body manage stress and restore harmony. 

The key active compounds in ginseng, known as ginsenosides, have been shown to regulate cortisol, which is the body’s primary stress hormone. By balancing cortisol levels, ginseng can help alleviate the physical and mental toll of stress, such as anxiety and irritability.

On top of this, ginseng influences important neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, both of which are essential for mood regulation. This influence can lead to a more stable, balanced emotional state, helping you to keep your hair on your head.

The Bottom Line

Nutrient deficiencies can be a major factor in hair loss, but with the right supplements, you can support healthy hair growth from the inside out. 

Biotin, zinc, vitamin B12 and iron are essential for keeping hair strong and preventing unnecessary shedding that may leave you less than impressed with the state of your scalp. 

But even if you cover that base, stress can also play a major role in causing hair loss. Fortunately, once again, supplements can come to your rescue, chilling you out and preventing stress from being the root cause of your balding.