When experiencing hair loss, you want sound solutions that are safe and effective. You do not want to spend valuable time trying every fad available on the market in the hopes that something will work. Chances are that you have heard Zinc has the ability to help with hair loss. Let's take a closer look at the role Zinc plays in natural hair growth and whether it can stop and prevent hair loss in men and women.
Zinc is an Essential Mineral
Zinc is classified as an essential mineral because although your body needs it to carry out certain processes, it is not capable of storing it. For this reason, zinc must be obtained through your diet. Foods high in zinc include:
Oysters
Beef (or any red meat)
Chicken
Spinach
Wheat germ
Pumpkin seeds
Lentils
Fortified breakfast cereals
This nutrient aids your immune system, improves metabolism function, assists in wound healing, and contributes to your sense of smell and taste. Its primary function is to aid in the growth and division of every cell in the human body, including hair cells.
Zinc's Role in Hair Growth
Zinc is crucial in the growth and repair of hair tissue. Hair cells are one of the fastest-growing cells in the body. This means that they need adequate amounts of nutrients, including zinc to be able to keep up with rapid growth. Zinc is also known as a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to protect your hair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause damage to cells they come in contact with and the cells in your hair are no exception.
Last, but not least, this versatile mineral keeps the oil glands around hair follicles working as they should which enables the growth of strong, healthy strands of hair.
Can Zinc Stop and Prevent Hair Loss?
One of the first symptoms of severe zinc deficiency is hair loss. Research shows that adequate levels of zinc in the body can block the production of DHT, which is an androgen. Excessive amounts of androgen in the body can shrink hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth and results in hair loss. However, severe zinc deficiencies are not common. Most people who eat a variety of foods, consume an adequate amount of zinc.
Those at a greater risk for a zinc deficiency include:
Individuals who are unable to absorb zinc effectively (especially those with digestive disorders and the elderly)
Individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cancer
The bottom line is that although zinc is an essential nutrient for proper hair growth, zinc deficiencies severe enough to cause hair loss aren't as common.
When Your Hair Loss is Due to More Than a Zinc Deficiency
If adding more zinc to your diet is not doing the trick, and you've ruled out any underlying medical conditions with your doctor, then your hair loss may be due to something other than a zinc deficiency. The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary and due to genetics. This doesn't mean that you have to live with balding for the rest of your life. In fact, exactly the opposite is true! San Jose's leading hair restoration studio, New Look Institute, specializes in hair loss solutions.
Our expert stylists will conduct a thorough hair and scalp analysis to determine the likely cause of your hair loss and then provide you with viable options to fit your lifestyle and budget. Our hair loss solutions include topical regrowth treatments, hair restoration systems, trichology, and laser hair growth therapy. Contact us today for more information and to schedule your FREE hair loss analysis!
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