B-12 and Hair Loss - ThinnerTimes

Jennimaria · 03-21-2006, 10:23 AM

Are the two directly related? Once I finally started taking the B-12, my hair falls out much less. Just curious.

Jennimaria · 03-21-2006, 08:29 PM

Guess nobody knows..I was wrong, my hair does still come out. Guess it was just all in my head.

JimJ · 03-21-2006, 08:48 PM

According to my doc, it is a combination of b-12 and protein. If we drop down in b-12 we'll loose hari but if our protein is not up it wil not grow right.

HeatherT · 03-21-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennimaria

Are the two directly related? Once I finally started taking the B-12, my hair falls out much less. Just curious.

yes its related - glad to hear you got the b-12 lil sis
love your big sis

LisaBoston · 03-21-2006, 11:24 PM

I asked my doc for B-12 and he said it takes quite a while to deplete, so he wants to wait until my 3 month blood work (end of May) before he gives me something. I am just taking Flinstone vitamins 2 times a day. My understanding is that B-12 is this...(from the web)

What does Vitamin B12 do?
Vitamin B12 is needed for normal nerve cell activity, DNA replication, and production of the mood-affecting substance called SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). Vitamin B12 works with folic acid to control homocysteine levels. An excess of homocysteine, which is an amino acid (protein building block), may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and perhaps osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, and some research indicates that individuals who are not deficient in this vitamin have increased energy after injections of vitamin B12. In one unblinded trial, 2,500–5,000 mcg of vitamin B12, given by injection every two to three days, led to improvement in 50–80% of a group of people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), with most improvement appearing after several weeks of B12 shots. While the research in this area remains preliminary, people with CFS interested in considering a trial of vitamin B12 injections should consult a nutritionally oriented doctor. Oral or sublingual B12 supplements are unlikely to obtain the same results as injectable B12, because the body’s ability to absorb large amounts is relatively poor.

Where is Vitamin B12 found?
Vitamin B12 is found in all foods of animal origin, including dairy, eggs, meat, fish, and poultry. Inconsistent but small amounts occur in seaweed (including spirulina) and tempeh.

Who is likely to be Vitamin B12 deficient?
Vegans (vegetarians who also avoid dairy and eggs) frequently become deficient, though the process may take many years. People with malabsorption conditions may suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. Individuals suffering from pernicious anemia require high-dose supplements of vitamin B12. Older people with urinary incontinence3 and hearing loss have been reported to be at increased risk of B12 deficiency.

How much Vitamin B12 is usually taken?
Most people do not require vitamin B12 supplements. However, vegans should take at least 2–3 mcg per day. Treatment for pernicious anemia includes supplements of 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12 per day or vitamin B12 injections. Despite the beliefs of many medical doctors, scientific proof indicates that oral supplements (1,000 mg per day) provide successful therapy and that vitamin B12 injections are not needed. In addition, the elderly may benefit from 10–25 mcg per day of vitamin B12.

feliciadragon · 03-22-2006, 06:45 AM

I had read on the forum that another B vitamin, Biotin, is also helpful with the hair loss. I am only 6 weeks post op, and haven't had any hair loss yet, but I have already started taking a Biotin supplement that I got at Walmart.

"Biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails.... Biotin supplements are often recommended as a natural product to counteract the problem of hair loss in both children and adults." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotin

I don't know yet if it will help me with the hair loss (which is what I am hoping!) but since I started taking it, my nails are really strong. I have always had thin brittle nails that never got very long. I now have nails long enough to actually paint

(past the end of my fingertips) and I planted a tree in my front yard yesterday and didn't break a single one. I also take a B-complex supplement in addition to my multivitamins and I make sure I'm getting at least 60 grams of protein per day, so I think all of that contributes to the nails getting stronger. Hopefully it will also help with the hair loss later!

Jennimaria · 03-22-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100tolose

yes its related - glad to hear you got the b-12 lil sis
love your big sis

I'm glad too, and I've started losing weight again! YAY! Love ya big sis.

Thanks for the info everyone. Hopefully I won't have hairballs all over my shirts soon. Although I like having Chris pick them off of me sometimes, he's like my personal groomer

HeatherT · 03-22-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennimaria

I'm glad too, and I've started losing weight again! YAY! Love ya big sis.

Thanks for the info everyone. Hopefully I won't have hairballs all over my shirts soon. Although I like having Chris pick them off of me sometimes, he's like my personal groomer

this is what we are here for - helping each other - do you notice you arent so tired too?

Jennimaria · 03-22-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100tolose

this is what we are here for - helping each other - do you notice you arent so tired too?

No I'm still tired, but that's mostly the stress of finals and other things. It is helping though. I'm going to really need the energy for next week when I get to work on a movie for the group System of a Down for 80 hours. Yay.

HeatherT · 03-22-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennimaria

No I'm still tired, but that's mostly the stress of finals and other things. It is helping though. I'm going to really need the energy for next week when I get to work on a movie for the group System of a Down for 80 hours. Yay.

oh jen that is so cool - you will have to tell us all about what you are doing with system of a down...