Hair Zinc Links

Introduction - Hair Zinc Links

There are several key hair zinc links to healthy hair growth as well as prevention or reversal of hair loss. Although zinc is a trace mineral it's a powerful link to all things scalp and hair related.

Zinc plays a key role in cell reproduction, maintaining proper hormone levels, protein synthesis and the proper absorption of vitamins necessary to nourish the scalp as well as grow long, strong, healthy hair.   If any of these hair zinc links are broken, hair trouble can result.

The reality?  Zinc is an essential mineral of exceptional biologic and public health importance.

In the U.S., the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men. Median intake in the U.S. around the year 2000 was 9 mg/day for women and 14 mg/day in men.

Some nutritional experts believe the best hair zinc links calls for daily consumption of 12 - 15 milligrams for adults and 15 milligrams for pregnant women.  There are a wide range of opinions of the very best zinc levels which should be consumed.  When in doubt speak with your primary physician.

Healthy Hair Growth & Hair Loss Reversal

Besides holding the key to healthy hair growth and hair loss reversal or prevention, hair zinc links also have ties to 20 enzymatic reactions in the human body.

Proper zinc levels are required for energy production, proper bone formation, insulin activity, wound healing and immunity building.  The development of keratin is also a key part of hair zinc links.

Zinc assists in helping to create and maintain the moisture level of the scalp.  A proper zinc balance will prevent dry and scaling scalp as well as dandruff.

In some respects zinc is chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2.

Deficiency - Hair Zinc Links

In general, zinc deficiency affects over two billion people in the developing world.  Zinc deficiencies are linked to many different diseases ranging from susceptibility to infection and diarrhea.

Zinc deficiency in children can lead to growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation and even death.  As many as 800,000 children die every year around the world due to zinc deficiency.

As far as hair zinc links, hair shedding, hair loss, weakened hair shafts, breakage and slowed re-growth are often tied specifically to zinc deficiency.  More significantly, if the body is deprived of adequate levels of zinc, a gradual change in the structure of the hair can trigger some forms of baldness.

Note:  HairTopia Hair Vitamins contain 30 mcg of zinc which is equal to 0.03 mg.  The HairTopia Herbals contain 10 mg.  The combination of the zinc in the vitamins and the herbals do not constitute

Zinc Fortification Through Nutrition

A 1998 review concluded that zinc oxide, one of the most common supplements in the United States, and zinc carbonate are nearly insoluble and poorly absorbed by the human body.

For fortification, however, a 2003 review recommended zinc oxide in cereals as cheap, stable, and as easily absorbed as more expensive forms.

A 2005 study found that various compounds of zinc, including oxide and sulfate, did not show statistically significant differences in absorption when added as fortification to maize tortillas.

Foods With Great Hair Zinc Links

One cup of cooked spinach naturally boosts zinc intake by 2 milligrams.  Spinach is low in calories with only 42 calories per cup.  Spinach is also chock full of hair healthy calcium, magnesium, iron and folic acid.  A great healthy hair friendly treat might be cooked chopped spinach worked into an egg white omelet with a little low-fat cheese.

Chicken is another great hair treat.  Chicken combines the best of protein and zinc.  Dark meat has twice the zinc of white meat.  The dark meat of baked or roasted chicken is ideal for its combination of hair healthy protein and zinc.  Other foods with the highest concentration of zinc include oysters, lobsters and red meats, especially beef, lamb and liver.

When there is adequate zinc in the soil, the plants which contain the most zinc are wheat (germ and bran) and various seeds (sesame, poppy, alfalfa, celery, mustard). Zinc is also found in lentils, beans, nuts, almonds, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and blackcurrant.

Hair Zinc Links - Brewer's Yeast Link

Mix a quarter cup into your morning juice or protein drink and get the same zinc benefits of 21 cups of cabbage, 2 cups of green peas and five slices of white bread.

A brewer's yeast drink also has more Vitamin B1 than 27 pounds of ground beef.  Brewer's yeast also packs a major punch by providing iron, calcium and selenium.

Many experts believe that chronic zinc deficiency may contribute to hair shedding, hair loss or even hair thinning.  Zinc  also provides a vehicle for strengthening the hair follicles by maintaining the glands on the scalp responsible for oil secretion.

Dietary Zinc Supplements

A 1987 study found that zinc picolinate was better absorbed than zinc gluconate or zinc citrate. However, a study published in 2008 determined that zinc glycinate is the best absorbed of the four dietary supplement types available.  Many supplements are derived from zinc sulfate monohydrate which is also considered easy for absorption.

Too much of a good thing can actually be harmful.  Excessive zinc supplementation is an ongoing problem among some people.  Experts believe zinc supplementation should never exceed 20 mg/day in healthy people.  The U.S. National Research Council set a Tolerable Upper Intake of 40 mg/day of zinc.

Excessive Zinc Consumption - Hair Zinc Links

Should people really exceed 20-30 mg/day of zinc?  Probably not since excessive supplementation of zinc has been linked to excessive hair shedding and/or accelerated hair loss.

Consumption of excess zinc can also cause ataxia, lethargy and copper deficiency.  Also too much zinc lengthens the resting phase of hair growth process.

If excessive amount of zinc are consumed, the body's ability to absorb copper, iron, magnesium and manganese are blocked.

Note:  Rene Furterer VitalFan Thin Hair - Progressive - Vitamins contain 10 mg of zinc in each daily capsule.  The Rene Furterer VitalFan Thin Hair - Sudden contains 7.5 mg of zinc in each daily capsule.

All of these minerals are essential for fostering healthy hair growth and maintenance.  Any one of the blocked minerals could trigger a range of problems directly linked to hair growth slow down.

Summary - Hair Zinc Links

Since zinc and protein are intricately linked it explains why the trace mineral is so important for healthy hair growth and maintenance.

The key is to find the proper balance making sure neither to over or under dose with zinc.  Ideally the average adult should consume 12 milligrams of zinc per day unless under alternate orders from a primary care physician.

It is always best to acquire the majority of your daily zinc requirements from the foods you eat rather than from taking zinc supplements.  When zinc is properly balanced in the body it provides the ultimate hair zinc links.