Best Vitamins for Thinning Hair

Thin may be in, but not when it comes to the top of your head. Though some men are comfortable with thinning hair, others feel like they are losing their youth or sex appeal. Some men attempt to camouflage their thinning hair, sporting baseball caps or toupees or carefully styling their hair to cover bare spots. Other men go to the root of the problem, finding natural solutions, such as vitamins and minerals, to prevent further hair thinning and promote the growth of new hair.

Although hats and hairpieces may seem like a quick fix to your thinning hair problem, eating a healthy diet and getting the right vitamins is a more practical long-term solution. Dr. Marta Rendon, founder and medical director of the Dermatology & Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton, Fla., suggests eating foods that contain plenty of zinc, B-vitamins, essential fatty acids, biotin, protein and iron to encourage thicker hair growth.

Although vitamins and minerals can be purchased in tablet or capsule form, the optimal way to consume them is through food. Zinc, for instance, can be found in oysters and certain breakfast cereals, such as bran flakes. Green leafy vegetables, beans and eggs are good sources of B-vitamins. Iron-rich foods include lima beans, liver and dried fruits, such as prunes and raisins.

If you opt to get your vitamins from a bottle, an article in Wellsphere advises reading the label carefully to avoid buying products with artificial flavors and colors or other harmful additives, such as chemicals and preservatives. Be sure to check the expiration date, too, since vitamins can lose potency over time, and scout around for the best deals since you may be taking these supplements long-term.

In addition to consuming sufficient amounts of the right vitamins and minerals, Dr. Rendon, who also serves as the Global Celebrity Dermatologist for Head & Shoulders, cautions against quick weight loss diets that can deplete the body of vital nutrients and affect hormone production, both of which may trigger hair thinning. According to Dr. Rendon, "Crash diets have been notorious for causing hair loss."

Dr. Rendon warns that certain vitamins and medications could also cause hair thinning. "Consuming excessive amounts of vitamin A, carotenoids and some prescription medications, including Accutane, can precipitate hair loss," she says.

Sources:

Interview with Dr. Marta Rendon, founder and medical director of the Dermatology & Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton, Fla. and Global Celebrity Dermatologist for Head & Shoulders
http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-000124000000000000000-w.html
http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-000116000000000000000.html
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/complementary-alternative-medicine-article/tips-for-buying-vitamins-herbal-supplements-amp-omega-fish-oils-online-from-ebay-amp-estores/353079