Hair Growth Vitamins for Hair Loss in Men

September 15, 2018 Matt

Are there really hair growth vitamins for hair loss in men that effectively promote hair growth? Well here we discuss each of the purported vitamins for hair growth and also other related nutrients and minerals.

Vitamins can absolutely help the cosmetic health, thickness and appearance of hair, especially if you have a vitamin deficiency. But hair loss vitamins will not necessarily work to prevent hair loss and cure male pattern baldness.

Hair Growth Vitamins For Healthy Hair

Healthy hair is a direct benefit of proper diet and nutrition. Proper nutritional supplementation will thus help to maintain healthy hair if you use the right vitamins to promote hair growth.

Your hair can only grow so fast. But to enjoy maximum growth rate, hair growth vitamins, minerals and amino acids provide the essential nutrients necessary to achieve maximum hair growth rate. Using the right hair growth vitamins may help rejuvenate dead hair follicles and speed hair growth.

Hair is 88% protein and needs certain vitamins that promote hair growth, minerals and amino acids to grow to full potential. The right vitamins for hair growth can often prove to be the most essential hair care product for producing strong, healthy hair.

Commonly used hair growth vitamins include niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin C and several of the B vitamins – all good vitamins for healthy hair. The nutrient inositol is essential for the keratinocyte cells which line your hair follicles and produce hair. Other nutrients important for healthy hair growth include selenium and the amino acid, taurine.

Vitamin E as a Hair Growth Vitamin

Conventional opinion is that vitamin E does nothing to stop hair loss. However, recent research shows more optimistic results. Prostate research reveals potential benefits of vitamin e for hair loss. Recent prostate research has revealed some interesting results with vitamin E succinate that could have possible implications for male pattern hair loss.

Vitamin E benefits for hair loss

Vitamin B is a Vitamin for Hair Loss

When there is a lack of vitamin B in the diet, hair loss can occur. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B3 (niacinamide), have been shown to be especially important hair growth vitamins. Vitamin B3 as niacinamide gel has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris, a condition with similar causal factors as male pattern hair loss.

There have been numerous anecdotal reports of the effectivenes of Vitamin B5 for hair loss; rapid cessation of hair loss and initiation of hair regrowth, often within weeks using large doses of Vitamin B5. Additionally, there is a Japanese study which shows that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is particularly effective as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, another potential in this list of hair growth vitamins.

Zinc Hair Loss Benefits

Whilst not one of the hair growth vitamins as such, the mineral zinc for hair loss deserves a special mention.

Studies show that the benefit of zinc for hair loss is that it may protect hair follicles from excess DHT, the main factor in male pattern hair loss. Zinc is often associated with hair regrowth and used to help prevent and treat hair loss. Several studies have shown that certain formulations of topical zinc can reduce DHT levels in the skin.

Zinc has demonstrated itself to be a potent inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase activity. At high concentrations, zinc could completely inhibit the enzyme activity. Vitamin B6 has been shown to potentiate these inhibitory zinc hair loss benefits. Type 1 5 alpha-reductase catalyzes the reduction of testosterone into the very potent androgen DHT. Human type 1 5 alpha-reductase is expressed mainly in the skin.

In a significant study the results showed that type 1 5 alpha-reductase was strongly inhibited by copper and zinc. The data showed that copper and zinc could specifically inhibit the activity and expression of type 1 alpha-reductase which is found in human skin.

L-Lysine for Hair Growth

L-lysine assists with calcium absorption and formation of collagen in bone, cartilage and connective tissues. L-lysine fortifies circulation and assists in the production of antibodies by the immune system. The body’s acid-alkaline balance is controlled with the help of l-lysine, l-lysine being crucial for controlling fat storage and amino acid assimilation.

Studies involving the administration of the amino acid, l-lysine to those suffering from increased hair loss show a remarkable increase in scalp hair growth. The co-administration of l-lysine with known treatments for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) such as Rogaine and Propecia results in a significant improvement in the efficacy of the treatment.

L-Cysteine for Hair Growth

L-cysteine has anti-inflammatory properties and protects against various toxins. L-cysteine has been claimed to be helpful with treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The amino acid, l-cysteine speeds up hair growth and increases hair shaft diameter resulting in fuller hair. L-cysteine has been reported to facilitate longer hair growth, beyond what is genetically programmed. L-cysteine also provides potent antioxidant protection to the hair follicle. Users of topical n-acetyl-cysteine have reported hair regrowth.