How does deficiency of vitamin b12 affect hair health?
Answers
Although it is not as well documented or supported in research studies, a deficiency in this vitamin has been linked to hair loss. Hair requires a mixture of both vitamins and minerals to grow, and vitamin B12 is one of the essential vitamins. Its vital role in cell division, red blood cell production, and metabolism explains why a B12 deficiency impacts hair quality. The vitamin is required to produce new hair cells and promote hair growth.
Your hair is made of a protein called keratin. This substance is dead, which is why it doesn’t hurt when you get your hair cut. But, your hair follicles, located just under the surface of your skin, are very much alive. In fact, the bulb, which is the bottom part of the follicle, is made up of the fastest growing cells in the human body, dividing every 23 to 72 hours. At the base of the bulb is the papilla, which contains blood vessels. Its main job is to connect your follicles to your body’s blood supply to deliver the oxygen and nutrients necessary for hair growth. Since B12 helps produce red blood cells, having enough of this vitamin is essential to the hair growth process.
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