Boost Hair Regrowth with Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 has many functions in the body and one of these is to help regulate hormones. The correlation between hair loss and hormones has been widely established, leading to the speculation that vitamin B6 may help with hair regrowth. There is more than anecdotal evidence, as several small-scale clinical studies have shown positive results with vitamin B6 as a hair growth agent.

Vitamin B6 and Hair

Vitamin B6 does a number of things in the body that will aid the overall health of the hair, ranging from boosting the immune system to aiding in the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 also plays a role in the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan into niacin and an adequate supply of vitamin B6 will reduce the need for niacin intake. People suffering from hair disorders are advised to take B-complex vitamins for stress, and vitamin B6 aids in the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that can promote healthy hair regrowth.

Vitamin B6 and Hair Loss

Age and genetics play a role in hair loss, but the main mechanism into losing hair has been shown to be the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is converted by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which shortens the growth phase of the hair and shrinks the size of the hair follicle until it is unable to produce visible hair and eventually stops growing new hair completely.

As for the mechanism of vitamin B6 in treating hair loss, it is said to bind to the receptor sites of dihydrotestosterone and decrease its harmful effects on the hair follicles.

Evidence

While vitamin B6 has not been tested extensively as a hair regrowth treatment and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, several clinic trials have used the vitamin in hair regrowth studies with pleasant results. Once study concluded that vitamin B6 injections improved hair condition and helped reduce hair loss in women.

Another study found that vitamin B6, zinc and azelaic acid when used together at low concentrations could inhibit 90 per cent of 5 alpha-reductase activity, which helps treat androgen-related conditions such as hair loss.

Methods of Obtaining Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it cannot be stored in the body, so excess amounts are eliminated through waste, which requires a constant replenishing of the vitamin. While taking a B-complex supplement will ensure you get the recommended amount of vitamin B6, it is also found in a number of foods. Good food sources for vitamin B6 include beans, nuts, meat and whole grains. As one of the functions of vitamin B6 is to break down proteins, you will need more vitamin B6 if your protein intake is high.