Can Taking Folic Acid Prevent Hair Loss?'

Sandy

Question: Does taking folic acid stop you losing your hair? What about if you've started losing it a bit already?

Answer: Hi Sandy. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, does play an important part in hair growth.

It facilitates red blood cell production and helps to maintain good circulation. In turn, this helps the hair by ensuring a plentiful supply of the nutrients needed for healthy growth reach the follicles.

It can be added to your diet through beans, leafy vegetables, rice and cereals. Alternatively you can take it via a dietary supplement such as Hair Vitalics, which is specially designed to promote strong, nourished hair from within.

Whether or not taking folic acid can help to prevent hair loss depends on the specific hair loss condition you are talking about.

Telogen Effluvium is a temporary condition which causes the hair to shed all over the scalp and can be brought on by a number of factors, one of which is nutritional deficiencies. Whilst it is rare for a folic acid deficiency to cause hair loss, it is not impossible so in this instance yes, a regular intake of folic acid at the recommended daily allowance could help to prevent this type of thinning.

For conditions such as Androgenic Alopecia - better known as Male Pattern Baldness and Female Pattern Hair Loss - taking folic acid can help the health of the hair that you have, but it cannot prevent hair loss or restore hair you have already lost.

If you are already starting to lose your hair, we recommend you visit a hair loss specialist who will be able to diagnose your condition. They will also be able to recommend clinically-proven hair loss treatments to help you prevent further shedding and promote regrowth. Additionally, they can discuss suitable hair growth boosters - including dietary supplements - with you, either in-clinic or for home-use.