How Much DHA Should a Female Take for Hair Loss?

DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is one of the essential fatty acids in naturally occurring nourishment. It is an omega-3 fatty acid and is called essential because the body cannot synthesize it and it has to be obtained from the diet. DHA, like other essential fatty acids, is more concentrated in the membranes of the heart cells, brain cells and the immune system cells. Current scientific research indicates the important role of omega-3 essential fatty acids for the maintenance of heart, skin, hair and joints.

Recommended DHA for Hair Loss

• With specific reference to hair loss, supplementing the diet with omega-3 has not yet been proven by research to actually reduce hair loss. The official guidelines for the recommended daily allowance for DHA intake have not yet been set by the National Academy of Sciences in Washington. However, according to the Fatty Acid Workshop that was held in Bethesda in 1999 a minimal daily intake for the general population of 220mg of DHA per person was set. If there is a general deficiency of the essential fatty acids in the body it can cause dry and falling hair among other problems such as dry, scaly skin, varicose veins, liver problems, infections and irritability. It can hence be assumed that the recommended daily allowance for DHA should be consumed for the health of hair, and in order to make sure there is no deficiency of DHA in the body, the proper foods should be consumed in the diet. The best food sources for DHA are seeds such as flax and pumpkin, soy foods, dark green crops and cold climate crops. Fish is a very good source of DHA especially sardines, tuna, anchovy, salmon and fish oil.