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Folic Acid for Treating Hair Loss

Alopecia, more commonly known as hair loss, has many contributing factors. It can be caused by heredity, drugs, illness, stress or nutritional deficiency. Folate deficiency is associated with severe hair loss. Your diet and nutritional status are important factors in treating alopecia.

  1. Definition

    • Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate, also known as vitamin B-9. Vitamin B-9 cannot be stored in your body. It is water-soluble, so it dissolves in water or body fluids. Any folate your body does not use right away is evacuated through your urine. You must continually replenish vitamin B-9 through your diet or through vitamin supplements.

    Importance

    • Along with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C, folate aids your body in creating, breaking down and using protein. It is a primary vitamin in the formation of red blood cells and also helps with the production of DNA, the building block of your body that carries all genetic information.

      Because folate is important in tissue growth and cellular function, it is essential for your body to have enough of it to produce healthy skin, nails and hair, because these body parts must regenerate rapidly. Folic acid therefore helps prevent hair loss. It also may be a factor in keeping your hair from becoming gray.

    Sources

    • You can consume folate naturally in foods such as peas, lentils, dried beans, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, beets, asparagus, whole-wheat products and liver. Other sources of folate include mushrooms, yeast and fruits such as bananas, melons, oranges and lemons, as well as tomato juice.

      In 1988, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began requiring folic acid enrichment of many grain products, such as pasta, rice, breads and cereals.

      In supplement form, folic acid is often combined with other B vitamins to create a B-complex formula.

    Recommendations

    • According to the National Institutes of Health, adults should consume 400 mcg of folate every day; pregnant and breastfeeding women need 600 mcg daily. Experts suggest that the upper limit of folate consumption is 1000 mcg a day.

      Healthy, vibrant hair can reflect your body's inner health. Increasing your intake of folate-containing foods and foods enriched with folic acid may help stop your hair loss and restore vitality to your body.

      When sudden or patchy hair loss occurs, consult a medical professional. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

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