Is your hair fall problem giving you sleepless nights? We understand how worrying excessive hair fall can be. But we can also assure you that the problem of hair fall can be reversed.
Yes, there are multiple ways to reduce hair fall as well as boost hair growth. And one of the most overlooked solutions is that of Folic acid. This vitamin offers a platter-full of benefits, the most significant being boosting hair growth.
Come, let’s discuss how you can incorporate folic acid in your hair care routine to boost hair growth.
Highlights:
What Is Folic Acid & What Does It Do For Your Hair?
A synthetic form of folate, folic acid belongs to the Vitamin B family. It is an extremely essential nutrient that helps your body to function efficiently. It is a water-soluble vitamin that helps your body create new cells. [1]
Few parts of the body constantly make new cells on a regular basis. These include your skin, hair and nails. Folic acid helps in promoting the healthy growth of these cells. It also maintains the health of your red blood cells.
A lack of folic acid in your body, can cause a host of unwanted health issues. Hair loss and slow hair growth are side effects of folic acid deficiency. According to a prospective analytical controlled study, [2] it is evident that premature greying and hair loss has a connection with folic acid deficiency.
What Are The Best Sources Of Folic Acid?
There are various natural sources of folate that you can get through your regular food intake. As per the U.S Food And Drug Administration, many known foods such as bread, cereals, pasta, rice and other grain products have sufficient amounts of folic acid. The list of natural sources of folic acid includes: [3]
1. Beans
2. Peanuts
3. Sunflower seeds
4. Whole grains
5. Eggs
6. Leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, turnip etc
7. Broccoli
8. Chillies
9. Fruits
10. Seafood & chicken liver
You can also take folic acid supplements along with your regular food. These supplements are available in the form of pills and liquid.
Recommended Dosage Of Folic Acid
|
Gender & Age |
Amount |
|
Age 19 and above (Male and Female) |
400 MCG |
|
Pregnant Woman |
600 MCG |
|
Lactating Woman |
500 MCG |
What Benefits Does Folic Acid Offer?
1. Boosts Hair Growth
Folic acid plays a prominent role in hair growth. It speeds up the cell division of your hair follicles to boost your hair growth. Folic acid also helps in the keratinization of your hair.
2. Stops Premature Hair Greying
As informed earlier, folic acid keeps your red blood cells active and healthy. Red blood cells are rich in oxygen, which maintains normal hair pigmentation. If your body lacks folic acid, these red blood cells will start increasing in size and your hair colour would change.
3. Reduces Hair Fall
When you have a folic acid deficiency, your body will send folic acid to more important body organs instead of your hair follicles. Naturally, your hair will lose one of the most essential nutrients and get weaker. Eventually, you will experience hair fall. That’s when you need to increase your folic acid intake through food or supplements. [4]
4. Adds Volume & Shine To Hair
Folic acid deficiency is associated with thinning hair. It also plays a key role in making new cells that can boost hair growth and add volume. When you have thick and healthy hair, your hair would naturally be soft, supple and shiny.
What Are The Symptoms Of Folic Acid Deficiency?
1. Fatigue
2. Premature Greying
3. Mouth Sores
4. Swollen Tongue
5. Hair loss
6. Muscle Weakness
7. Headache and dizziness
8. Breathing Trouble
9. Weight Loss
10. Diarrhoea [5]
How To Use Folic Acid For Hair Growth?
Folic Acid, Biotin & Zinc Intake
Often the deficiency of both biotin and folic acid are widely associated with hair loss. Even though there is not sufficient data available to prove the above belief, few studies and research suggest that biotin supplement has helped boost the growth of hair. Some reports say that people with alopecia were treated with biotin. Similarly, zinc deficiency is also connected to hair loss.
Vitamin B complex, prenatal vitamins, multivitamin tablets are often suggested as a supplement for biotin, zinc and folic acid. Consume tablets every day and you will notice an improvement in your hair’s growth and health within two to three months.
Important Note:
Consult your doctor before taking any vitamin supplements.
Food Intake
Your regular food intake should provide you with a sufficient amount of folic acid. Add green leafy vegetables to your regular diet. Eat fresh fruit and consume fruit juice as much as possible. You can also have chicken and seafood if you are a non-vegetarian. Peanuts, broccoli, and beans are also a great source of folic acid.
What Happens If You Consume Excessive Folic Acid?
If you do not lack folic acid in your body, then do not take a folic acid supplement. A regular folic acid intake amount for adults is 400 mcg/day. Consuming more than 400 mcg of folic acid is unsafe for young adults. Large doses of folic acid can cause headaches, rashes, and nausea. Taking more than 1000 mcg per day can cause severe nerve damage. [6]
Knowing the health of your hair and consulting a doctor can help you identify the issues causing your hair fall. Your hair fall problem can then be treated accordingly.
Wrapping Up
Folic acid has an extremely high nutrient value. Folic acid deficiency will lead to a variety of health problems that include hair loss, slow hair growth and thinning hair. Adding folic acid-enriched food and supplements to your diet will definitely solve half of your problem. But do make sure that your body is getting other nutrients as well. Keeping your overall health well maintained, will also nourish your hair.
Recommended Products
Was this Article helpful?
- Least helpful
- Most helpful