If you’re wondering whether zinc supplements can help with hair loss, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of zinc, what it does, and what it can do for you. You’ll also learn how to determine if you may be deficient in the mineral. Finally, we’ll discuss how zinc can help re-grow hair.
What is Zinc?
When it comes to preventing hair loss, the mineral zinc is one of the most important. In fact, a zinc deficiency has been linked to the immune system’s production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha, which damages hair follicles. While it’s possible to get too much zinc in your body, a zinc deficiency can lead to other problems, including hair loss.
Zinc is necessary for the production of new hair shafts, and a deficiency in zinc leads to poor immune function and hormonal imbalances. Zinc deficiency may also trigger a temporary hair loss condition known as Telogen Effluvium, which displays itself as diffuse shedding of hairs all over the scalp. If not treated, the condition can become chronic. It may also play a role in the development of patchy hair loss in people with Alopecia Areata.
While zinc deficiency symptoms are common, they can be easily mistaken for symptoms of a different problem. As with any other supplement, your healthcare provider can prescribe an appropriate dose for you based on your blood test results. Your doctor will also be able to tell you if your zinc level is adequate or deficient. Your doctor may also prescribe a low-dose supplement for you to begin with. If you are unsure, consider consulting a doctor to make sure your hair loss is caused by a zinc deficiency.
Zinc Deficiency: Signs and Symptoms
A physician may suspect a person has a zinc deficiency if they see the signs and symptoms of hair loss. The symptoms of zinc deficiency can include anemia, skin changes, and hypogonadism. However, not everyone suffering from low zinc levels will experience all of these symptoms. In fact, many people may not have any of the symptoms at all. Therefore, it is important to consult with a doctor in case you notice these symptoms.
A person with a zinc deficiency has a higher risk of developing alopecia. People with a zinc deficiency have a higher risk of experiencing hair loss. A person with an inadequate level of zinc may also experience skin lesions and psoriasis. People with low zinc levels may also develop impotence or hypogonadism, a condition in which the male body is unable to produce enough testosterone. In addition, zinc deficiency can cause premature hair loss in women and baldness in men.
Fortunately, there are treatments for zinc deficiency. Although your doctor can’t do a blood test to determine if you have a zinc deficiency, he or she can perform a hair analysis to rule out other conditions. Zinc deficiency is often caused by other causes, so your doctor may recommend taking a zinc supplement to avoid hair loss.
Zinc Side Effects
Increasing zinc in your diet may be a way to reverse hair loss. The mineral inhibits an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for both male and female pattern baldness. Other hair-loss-related benefits of zinc include treating dandruff and balancing free radicals. These benefits may be associated with the anti-inflammatory effects of zinc on the scalp.
However, it’s important to note that although zinc plays a role in protein production, the body is unable to produce enough of it and needs to get it from the diet or from supplements. Zinc deficiency can lead to a number of problems, including hair loss, poor wound healing, and a weak sense of smell and taste. Early treatment is crucial in preventing irreversible damage.
The recommended dosage of zinc depends on the person’s health. A deficiency may require blood tests and treatment with medications such as finasteride and minoxidil. Before taking a zinc supplement, talk with your healthcare provider to determine if it’s right for you. If you are taking any prescription medication, ask your pharmacist if zinc supplements will interact with your medicine. Zinc may be a good treatment for hair loss, but it’s best to speak with a professional first.
Zinc for Hair Loss
It’s not clear if taking zinc for hair loss will actually help your condition. Although it is a better option to obtain the mineral through the diet, taking a zinc supplement is helpful for some people. A combination of zinc and a proper diet will help encourage hair growth. While zinc is better taken from the diet, it will reduce copper in your body, so you should add a copper supplement to your diet as well. You should also consider selenium and copper supplements, as they can both help in the regrowth of your hair.
The hormones in our bodies are very delicate. When female hormones are in high levels, they can lead to male pattern baldness, or vice versa. A diet high in zinc may help curb the production of DHT and stop hair loss. However, you should know that despite its effectiveness, it is not going to block DHT, which is the main cause of hair loss. Besides, zinc also promotes healthy cell reproduction, which is what helps the scalp stay full.
Research shows that zinc can support the immune system and prevent hair loss. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that zinc supplementation promoted hair growth in women with hypothyroidism, which is a condition that is linked to hair loss. Men with hair loss had lower levels of serum zinc than healthy controls. It’s not clear if this zinc supplementation would help prevent or slow the hair loss in men. However, the study did show that zinc supplements can prevent hair loss in women with female pattern baldness.
Zinc Benefits for Men
Among the minerals that can help restore lost hair in men is zinc. This mineral is essential for hair growth, but too much of it can cause several problems, including a suppressed immune system. Excessive zinc consumption can lead to kidney problems and stomach pains. In addition, it can cause headaches and nausea. For this reason, it is important to monitor your zinc intake carefully. Zinc is found in small amounts in many foods.
According to a recent study, dietary zinc supplements can help men combat hair loss. Studies have shown that men with genetically-determined hair loss have lower levels of biotin and zinc. While biotin and zinc don’t treat hair loss, they do help to support the immune system. These nutrients work with the body’s lymphatic system to promote healthy hair growth. That’s why hair specialists often recommend biotin and zinc supplements as part of a treatment for male pattern baldness.
In one study, researchers found that zinc levels in blood were associated with the risk of chronic telogen effluvium (AGA). However, it was not clear whether zinc levels in men with AGA were significantly decreased. In addition, the exact relationship between Zn and AGA has not been determined. Zinc supplements or topical zinc lotion can be effective in regrowing hair. And it isn’t just for men.
How Much Zinc Should I Take a Day?
The upper limit for zinc is two to three weeks. This is because zinc can interfere with calcium absorption. In addition, zinc can reduce the amount of copper in the body, so a copper supplement is recommended. Nevertheless, hair loss can be resorted to with adequate zinc supplementation. Taking zinc with copper may help restore hair growth. In addition, if you have hair loss from genetics, zinc supplementation may help regrow hair.
According to the USDA, an adult should consume 11mg of zinc per day. Most animal proteins are rich in zinc, and it is possible to obtain the recommended amount from food. However, the amount you take per day should not exceed 25mg as it reduces the absorption of copper. Excessive intake of zinc can also have adverse effects on the body, including anaemia and weakened bones.
Deficit of zinc is less common in industrialized countries than in developing countries. However, those who are at risk of zinc inadequacy include vegetarians, pregnant women, and those with gastrointestinal disease. Although hair loss is often a symptom of zinc deficiency, other symptoms must be present for a diagnosis. Some of these symptoms are loss of appetite, poor growth, poor wound healing, and lack of menstruation. In rare cases, night blindness or white spots on the fingers.
The Bottom Line on Zinc and Hair Loss
There is no doubt that zinc is important for hair tissue growth. Hair cells are among the fastest growing tissues in our bodies, and need proper nutrition to continue growing. Zinc is also an excellent antioxidant, protecting hair cells from free radicals that can damage them. In addition, zinc also helps keep the oil glands around hair follicles functioning properly. This helps prevent hair loss and promotes healthy hair growth.
Research suggests that low levels of zinc can contribute to hair thinning. However, a study on 40 patients with CTE did not confirm this connection. The researchers also analyzed 30 healthy people as controls. In this study, the authors found no significant difference between the two groups in terms of zinc levels. It is not clear whether the low levels of zinc are the cause of hair loss. But the results were encouraging.
