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Do you experience significant hair loss? This can be a sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Continue reading to learn how vitamin B12 affects the health of your hair and how to obtain enough of it naturally through food.
What Is Vitamin B12?
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Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is one of the eight B vitamins that your body requires for healthy RBC formation and brain function. Additionally, this essential vitamin influences mood cycles and the immune system. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can not only cause hair loss but can also result in fatigue and sluggishness.
The Relationship Between Vitamin B12 and Hair Loss
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Even though your hair is dead, the hair follicles in your head found just below the skin's surface, are very much alive. These follicles have blood vessels at the base of the bulb, and their main job is to connect your body's blood vessels to your follicles. The blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients necessary for hair growth. Since vitamin B12 is essential for producing healthy red blood cells, having sufficient amounts of it ensures healthy hair growth and, as a result, a reduction in hair loss.
Other Hair Benefits of Vitamin B12
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In addition to encouraging hair growth and preventing hair loss, vitamin B12 can benefit your hair in the following ways:
1) Conditions and Moisturizes Brittle Hair
When you go outside, your hair is constantly exposed to pollutants and UV rays, which makes it brittle and dull. There are many measures you can take to protect your hair, like wearing a cap outside or routinely oiling it. However, maintaining the required level of vitamin B12 will always be preferable. Vitamin B12 will not only make your hair look more tamed but will also give it a shine that cannot be achieved with chemical products.
2) Improves Scalp Health
An itchy scalp can be uncomfortable and painful. One of vitamin B12's most advantageous effects on hair is its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which support a healthy scalp. It lowers PH levels, treats infections, and soothes irritated skin.
3) Prevents Premature Greying
Stress and pollution can cause premature greying. Although this can be discouraging, there are ways to fix it and one way is by having sufficient B12 in your diet. The anti-pollutant properties of vitamin B12 help to slow down the rate at which your hair begins to go gray. If you want your hair to look younger, ensure you get enough of this essential vitamin.
Food Sources of Vitamin B12
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If you are vitamin B12 deficient, your hair follicles might not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to promote hair growth and stop hair loss. To support hair health as well as your overall health, here are the best natural food sources of vitamin B12:
- Turkey
- Salmon, tuna, crabs, shrimp, and clams
- Spinach
- Bananas and strawberries
- Beef
- Kidney beans
- Milk and dairy products
- Yeast
- Eggs
- Shiitake mushrooms
Summary
If you experience hair loss, we realize how depressing it can be. The easiest strategy to deal with this problem is to get enough B12 and maintain a well-balanced diet. Other ways to encourage healthy hair growth and thicker hair include using the right shampoo and conditioner, cutting back on the usage of heat styling products, and using the right hair ties. To shop for hair ties that won't damage your hair, check out Burlybands.
