You’ve likely heard of zinc, which is a mineral that’s essential for hundreds of different processes in the body. Zinc plays a vital role in the function of major organs such as your brain and liver, but it’s also essential for wound healing, proper immune system function and even keeping your blood pressure at a normal rate. But did you know zinc is also an essential nutrient for hair growth? One of the signs of a zinc deficiency is hair loss, so let’s focus on how zinc plays a role in your hair wellness for strong, healthy hair growth.
Can Zinc Actually Help Hair Growth?
The short answer is a resounding yes! Zinc has been shown to help hair growth, especially in people with a zinc deficiency or in people with specific hair loss conditions. These conditions include androgenetic alopecia, which is more commonly referred to as male or female pattern baldness.
But zinc doesn’t just support hair growth — it also supports your immune system. What’s the link between your immune system and healthy hair? Research shows that stem cells in your hair follicles work with the lymphatic system — which is part of the immune system — to support healthy hair growth.
If the immune system is impacted from stress or illness, stem cells aren’t able to support proper hair growth, which can lead to hair thinning and loss. This research shows how hair wellness is connected to many different things and not just the result of one thing. So while zinc itself is certainly important, it also influences the immune system which, in turn, affects hair health.
Scientists have long known that nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss. Zinc concentrations have been shown to be lower in women with female pattern hair loss, which can be “halted or improved” simply by supplementing with zinc.
Zinc metabolism disturbances also play a “key role” in hair loss, especially androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium, a condition in which hair falls out due to shock or stress. So while lack of zinc can cause poor hair growth, studies show that supplementing with zinc can help restore healthy hair.
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How Much Zinc to Take for Hair Growth
Since your body can’t make its own zinc, it’s important to be sure you’re getting enough through your diet. You can find it in natural foods like pumpkin seeds, baked beans, cashews and chickpeas.
Not everyone experiencing hair loss will be deficient in zinc, and while getting enough zinc for hair growth is essential, there is such a thing as too much. People who take too much zinc can see the opposite effect of what zinc is supposed to do—for example, excess zinc can actually suppress the immune system instead of helping it.
So how much zinc for hair growth you should take is really going to depend on whether or not you’re deficient in this mineral, which a blood test can determine. Your doc can let you know if supplementing with zinc would be beneficial for you and how much you should take.
The recommended amounts of zinc are 11mg for males and 8mg for females a day, which can change with age. Health experts recommend that people supplement with no more than 40 mg per day.
The good news is that hair loss due to zinc can be reversed with supplementation, especially in cases of telogen effluvium, and can even create thicker hair shafts. The result? Stronger, healthier, thicker hair.
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Support Your Hair Wellness With Zinc
While zinc won’t be the sole missing link for some people with hair loss, for others, it’s an essential nutrient that can support hair wellness. At VEGAMOUR, we believe that true hair wellness requires a holistic approach to keep your gorgeous locks healthy and strong. That’s why we offer our GRO Advanced Gummies, which combine zinc for hair growth with other crucial nutrients including biotin, vitamin A and vitamin D, along with full-spectrum hemp oil for ultimate nourishment and superior hair support!
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