The Vital Role of Minerals in Hair Growth

 

 

(CEO & Founder of Hamita Biotech who discovered the unique formula of Dr. Hamid Hair Regrowth Products. A Clinician, Researcher & Immunologist who specialised in hair physiology & aesthetic medicine; Melbourne, Australia).

Hair loss is a common problem that can result from vitamin and/or mineral deficiency. Vitamins and minerals are crucial for the normal growth, health, and function of human tissues and organs, including skin and hair. Hence, taking vitamins and minerals or using them directly on the scalp can improve the health and growth of the hair follicles. While supplementation is relatively affordable and easily accessible, it is important to know which vitamins and minerals help treat hair loss (1,2)

 

 

Normal hair follicles go through a growth cycle with distinct phases, as follows:

In the active period (anagen phase), the hair shaft is actively generated and extends, and can last as long as 6 years before entering a period of rest. In the rest period, the follicle regresses (catagen phase), which is followed by a period of quiescence (telogen phase) and release of the hair shaft (exogen phase). The human scalp contains approximately 100,000 hair follicles. Of these, 90% are in the active (anagen) phase, 1% in the catagen phase, and 9% in the telogen phase at any given time. Hair loss happens when hair follicles stop growing and enter the catagen phase too early. They will go on to the telogen phase and fall out prematurely(3).

 

 

The three most common types of hair loss that require more efficient methods of treatment include:

Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)

Temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium)

Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)

 

 

For normal, healthy growth, hair follicles require essential elements, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals, to efficiently produce healthy hair (2,6,7). For example, patients with low iron levels, a common condition in females, can experience hair loss and thus benefit from an iron supplement combined with vitamin C. Likewise, studies have shown a relationship between alopecia areata and iron and zinc levels. Iron and selenium are also involved in maintaining hair color. Supplementing these deficient micronutrients can improve premature graying hair (8).

To be more efficient, Dr. Hamid Hair Regrowth products are developed using the latest technology to deliver the essential minerals directly to your scalp and hair follicles, with no adverse effects.

Iron

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, which can contribute to hair loss (9,10). The serum ferritin is a good indicator of total body iron stores and a reliable marker for iron storage deficiency (<30 μg/L). Ferritin also can be used as an indicator in hair loss studies (11,12). In healthy premenopausal women, menstruation is the biggest cause of iron deficiency (13). Patients with iron deficiency require iron supplementation. Additionally, amino acids have essential roles in maintaining normal serum ferritin concentration and hence hair growth. L-lysine is one of the amino acids which can be found in fish, meat, and eggs. Adding L-lysine (1.5–2 g/day) to the existing iron supplementation regimen of iron-deficient patients can result in a significant increase in ferritin levels.

Studies have shown that iron has an important role in normal hair growth by regulating the expression of hair follicle genes. These iron-dependent processes can be disrupted in iron deficiency, affecting the normal progression of the hair cycle (1).

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace element required for the synthesis of more than 35 proteins. Glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme, depends on selenium as a co-factor. A clinical trial in ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy showed a significant decrease in hair loss after selenium supplementation (7,14).

The recommended dietary daily intake of selenium is 55 μg for adults. Such foods as meat, vegetables, and nuts can fulfill the daily requirements of selenium. People who consume more than 400 μg of selenium per day can develop toxicity with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, nail brittleness and discoloration, hair loss, fatigue, irritability, and foul breath (15,16,16).

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral, which our body cannot generate on its own and we must take it through our diet. Fish and meat are the main sources of zinc. Zinc deficiency is common in vegetarians, vegans, and people who consume mostly cereal grains with poor meat intake, and also infants on milk formula. Other causes of zinc deficiency include anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder), inflammatory bowel disease, jejunal bypass surgery, cystic fibrosis, alcoholism, malignancy, burns, infection, and pregnancy.

Hair loss is a well-known sign of zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation can help with hair regrowth (1,7,16,17).

Calcium

secretion of hormones and enzymes, such as the androgen hormones and biotin enzymes that promote hair growth. Taking vitamin D with calcium facilitates the absorption of calcium in the gut, which is essential for the maintenance of strong, healthy hair, especially in women of childbearing age (1,1,16,18).

Magnesium

Magnesium is responsible for over 700 metabolic functions in our body, including the hair growth cycle. In this regard, magnesium has two main functions: preventing calcium accumulation and protein synthesis for hair loss and healthy hair growth.

Magnesium helps prevent calcium deposits on your scalp which can cause dryness and flaky skin leading to hair loss. Calcium can also be deposited on and around the hair follicles which could cause scalp inflammation over time. Magnesium helps calcium get to your bones where it’s needed, rather than depositing it on the surface of your scalp.

Magnesium helps with protein synthesis in our body including hair follicles. Better protein synthesis means healthier hair and a predictable hair cycle with normal growth and resting stages. Protein synthesis also helps create melatonin, which helps prevent your hair from going gray (1,1,2).

Daily usage of magnesium for males is about 400 mg and for women at least 310 mg.  Foods high in fiber usually have high magnesium such as beans, seeds, rice, seafood, dark leafy greens, dark chocolate, and nuts. High-fat diet reduces the absorption of magnesium, and cooking reduces the magnesium content in food.

Magnesium is one of the most important nutrients for healthy hair growth. That’s why we used magnesium in our products. Without it, your hair follicles may not grow to their full potential because of calcification and poor protein synthesis. Research suggests that magnesium works better and more efficiently when absorbed through the skin. By bypassing the digestive system, it can absorb directly into your bloodstream. The topical use of magnesium on the scalp is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of skin irritations and conditions caused by sweat, product build-up, and excess sebum (1,8,18).

Copper

Copper is another important mineral in hair growth. It is usually active in our body in the form of a copper peptide complex (a combination of copper and three amino acids). These complexes are very small molecules, with great skin penetrating capacity helping copper to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and hair follicle to stimulate collagen production, enhance cell growth and prolong hair growth (telogen) phase. As we age, the hair follicle regeneration process slows down due to decreased blood supply and active biological metabolites of testosterone (DHT), which is responsible for androgenetic alopecia, inhibiting hair growth, resulting in shrinking of the hair follicles and gradual thinning and falling of the hair. Copper peptide complex is one of the substances that slow and revert the natural aging process of the skin and the hair follicle shrinkage (1,2,19). Copper also cooperates with zinc to promote the activity of the antioxidant enzymes. Copper, magnesium, selenium, and zinc exhibit essential physiologic roles in the pathophysiology of hair loss and hair growth (18,20).

 

 

To sum up, hair loss is a common problem in society with a profound negative psychological and emotional impact on people. Nutrition, such as vitamins and minerals, plays an important role in normal hair follicle development and immune cell function. It has been suggested that the lack of these nutrients could be a modifiable risk factor for the development, prevention, and treatment of hair loss (5,21).

Dr. Hamid Hair Regrowth products are Australian-made, highly effective products designed for the treatment of hair loss. These products, made from natural ingredients and enriched in essential minerals, are prepared in the form of active nano and microelements that stimulate hair regrowth, prevent hair loss, and maintain healthy hair by penetrating through the skin to the hair follicles directly. The minerals, vitamins, and other natural ingredients formulated in our products ensure thicker, denser-looking hair in men and women.

References:

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3. Welle MM. Basic principles of hair follicle structure, morphogenesis, and regeneration. Vet Pathol. 2023 Nov;60(6):732–47.
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