Hair loss can occur for a number of reasons, but the most common include alopecia areata, an autoimmune reaction and androgenic alopecia, hereditary male-pattern baldness. Women can also inherit a form of androgenic alopecia called female diffuse hair loss. Inherited hair loss usually occurs first as a general thinning of the hair and then loss of the hair shaft. Alopecia areata, on the other hand, causes patches of hair to fall out on different areas of the scalp. Taking vitamins does not help inherited baldness patterns, but may help alopecia from other causes.
Types
The vitamin B-complex consists of eight different vitamins. Several of the B vitamins, including B6, also called pyridoxine, B7, called biotin, B9, called folic acid or folate and B12, also called cobalamin, contribute to hair growth. Vitamins B6 and B7 help break down proteins essential for building new hair, while B9 helps produce DNA and red blood cells. B12 also helps produce red blood cells and plays a part in the body's folic acid use.
Causes
A deficiency of the B vitamins that help produce red blood cells may result in less oxygen and nutrients delivered to the hair, which can damage hair, slow regrowth and cause extra hair shedding, registered dietitian Kimberly Tessmer states. Severe stress on your body caused by illness, childbirth, rapid weight loss or emotional stress can also result in temporary hair loss. Many chemotherapy drugs also cause temporary hair loss.
Treatment
In cases of stress, taking a B-complex vitamin may help hair loss, the University of Maryland Medical Center website reports. Taking vitamins B6, B7 and B12 may help if lack of oxygen and nutrients to the hair causes hair loss. Pernicious anemia, a specific type of anemia, or decreased red blood cells caused by autoimmune disease, may be associated with hair loss, and responds to B12 treatment. A combination of zinc and biotin, or B7, has helped children and adults with alopecia areata regain lost hair, but there's no evidence this combination will helps unless you have a biotin deficiency, UMMC explains.
Prevention
Taking a B-complex vitamin may help prevent hair loss if you have a vitamin B deficiency, but probably won't help androgenic alopecia. Eating foods high in B-complex vitamins such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, nuts and bananas will also help prevent deficiencies that can lead to hair loss.
Considerations
Hair loss can occur for many reasons. While taking a B vitamin may help with some causes, seeing your medical practitioner to determine the cause of hair loss, especially if it occurs suddenly and without an obvious cause, may help diagnose underlying medical causes.
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