Nutrition & Hair

PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid, is often used in supplements and products designed to help hair. Also known as vitamin B-5, PABA occurs naturally in foods such as liver, kidney, brewer’s yeast, eggs, molasses, and whole grains. Natural bacteria flora in the intestines also synthesize PABA.  Some health professionals do not consider PABA to be vitamin, but rather a B-complex factor, because PABA helps create folic acid in the body.

PABA is a common ingredient in topically-applied sun screens.  Taking PABA supplements orally does not have any sunscreen effects.

Red blood cell formation and the body’s manufacture of folic acid are partially thanks to PABA.  PABA improves the protein use in the body and also assists with the breakdown of protein. Proper functioning of these processes is important for healthy hair.

A deficiency in PABA can result in tiredness, irritability, patchy areas on the skin, weeping eczema and more.

Known as the “anti-grey hair vitamin,” research shows that PABA supplementation can improve hair health.

A study on animals showed that insufficient dietary PABA resulted in grey hair. Their hair reverted to its original color when sufficient PABA was given. Grey-haired adults in another study experienced a 70% return to their original hair color when taking large doses of PABA each day.  This was a controlled study under medical supervision, because excessive doses of PABA can have side-effects.

Typically, hair color can be restored with a B vitamin-rich diet. Even if color is not restored, the hair usually will have improved quality and growth strength.

PABA is best taken with other vitamins, including the B group vitamins and folic acid. Dermatologist Larry Shapiro, a hair transplant specialist in South Florida, includes 30 mg of PABA, 6 mcg of vitamin B12 and 400 mcg of folic acid in each serving of Dr. Shapiro’s Help Hair Whey Protein Shake Formula, plus other hair-helping nutrients. “I designed my shake specifically to target the hair’s nutritional needs,” said Dr. Shapiro. “Today’s diet often does not have all the nutrients needed for healthy hair.”

Sources:  Hair Science Institute, Wikipedia

Biotin is your hair answer. We have been told that so much of our health depends on our genes. However, it is how we take care of our genes that control their expression.

Taking care of our genetic expression involves proper nutrition, diet, exercise, stress management, avoiding processed foods, eliminating toxins in the body, drinking filtered water, and limiting activities that add more emotional or physical stress. Can you overcome a genetic predisposition like baldness?

Vitamins, in particular B vitamins, are used to treat up to fifty genetic disorders according to an article by Dr. Bruce N. Ames in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A genetic mutation reduces the ability of an enzyme to bind to its coenzyme; this decreases the rate at which a molecular reaction takes place. This can be reversed by using high doses of the appropriate vitamin, which increase coenzyme levels, thus overcoming the binding defect and boosting the reaction rate toward normal.

Biotin, a B vitamin also known as B7, plays an important role in the metabolism of fats, glucose, and protein. Biotin is used in hair growth and alopecia treatments.

Deficiency of biotin causes hair loss and brittle nails. Both hair and nails are by-products of healthy tissue formation such as bone. Biotin is used in the metabolism of fats, which gives rise to bone metabolism and is therefore vital for healthy hair and nails.

Fatty acids are a valuable growth factor in numerous processes in the body. Biotin is intimately involved with fat metabolism. Biotin is important for healthy hair and also seen as an aid in preventing hair from turning grey.

Besides taking biotin, you can increase your intestinal “friendly” bacteria such as Bifidobacterium bifidum to establish healthy intestinal flora that will produce biotin. Infants with biotin deficiency have grown hair utilizing biotin supplementation, as well as reversing many symptoms of biotin deficiency.

Our mind/body functions as whole unit. All part of the body communicate with all other parts. Thus, there are other vital factors that are involved in healthy hair growth. Exercise will not only improve cardiovascular health, but is now seen to promote brain health as well. Improving circulation through exercise and scalp massage improves blood flow to hair follicles. Also, healthy nutrition benefits all parts of the physiology.

Proper biotin supplementation and diet are key factors in having both healthy hair and scalp.

Sources:
1. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Bruce N Ames, Ilan Elson-Schwab and Eli A Silver. Vol. 75, No. 4, 616-658, April 2002.
2. Biotin deficiency in an infant fed with amino acid formula. Fujimoto W, Inaoki M, Fukui T, Inoue Y, Kuhara T. J Dermatol. 2005 Apr;32(4):256-61. Review.