Hair loss is a common problem in both men and women. The reasons may be different: stress, poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, heredity. But fortunately, the process can be slowed down or even stopped with proper care and vitamin intake.
I have selected the 3 most effective hair growth products that you can buy on iHerb. They all contain natural ingredients, are safe for long-term use and really help.
Why hair falls out and what to do about it
Hair loss is a common problem that many people face. There are a number of reasons why hair begins to actively fall out. Let’s look at the main ones.
Lack of vitamins and minerals
One of the common reasons is a lack of nutrients necessary for hair growth. B vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, biotin), as well as iron, zinc, and copper are especially important.
I also discovered a lack of vitamins due to poor nutrition and stress. A blood test showed a low ferritin level (20 mcg/l when the norm is 30). This indicates iron depletion in the body. In addition, my protein turned out to be low (30 g/l when the norm is 66-87).
Due to the lack of these important substances, I began to experience severe hair loss. I combed my hair – handfuls remained on the comb. To solve the problem, I began to take a vitamin-mineral complex with iron, and also eat more protein. After just 2 months, the hair loss practically stopped and the hair stopped shedding.
Hormonal changes
Another common reason is hormonal imbalances. For example, during pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause, estrogen levels change dramatically, leading to hair loss.
Stress and psychological overload
Stress is the worst enemy of our health, including our hair. Under prolonged stress, the body goes into survival mode, sending all its strength to fight stress. At the same time, the nutrition of the hair follicles deteriorates, they stop receiving the necessary elements, as a result, the hair begins to actively fall out.
Heredity
If you have bald relatives in your family, you most likely have a predisposition. However, even with such heredity, you can maintain thick hair for a long time with proper care and supporting products.
What tests should you take for hair loss?
Here are the tests you need to take if you have hair loss:
- General blood analysis. It will help identify iron deficiency, B vitamins (B12, folic acid), problems with thyroid function and other disorders.
- Get tested for vitamin D. Its lack is often the cause of increased hair loss.
- Check your zinc and copper levels. A deficiency of these microelements also affects the condition of the hair.
- Be sure to check your ferritin and protein levels – low levels are the most common cause of hair loss.
- Women should check their hormonal levels – the level of estrogen, testosterone, prolactin, dry hormones, DHEA sulfate. Hormonal imbalances often lead to intense hair loss.
- It makes sense for men to get tested for testosterone and DHT levels. Their deficiency aggravates hair problems.
- It is also recommended to do a trichogram – a microscopic examination of the hair and scalp to exclude fungal infections or other pathologies.
Hair Growth Supplements on iHerb
There are some very good hair supplements on iHerb. But I have highlighted the 3 best products that will definitely help stop hair loss.
Country Life, Maxi-Hair
A very good complex if you want to quickly solve your hair loss problem. There are high doses of B vitamins, there is sulfur, which also helps against gray hair, zinc, copper and others. Here’s the full list:
Supplement Information | ||
Serving Size: 2 Tablets | ||
Number of servings per package: 45 | ||
Serving composition | % of daily value | |
Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) | 5000 ME | 100% |
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid, rosehip) | 200 mg | 333% |
Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol succinate) | 50 ME | 167% |
Thiamine (vitamin B1) (as thiamine hydrochloride) | 30 mg | 2000% |
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) | 50 mg | 2941% |
Niacin (as niacinamide) | 50 mg | 250% |
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) | 50 mg | 2500% |
Folic acid | 400 mcg | 100% |
Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin) | 50 mcg | 833% |
Biotin (as d-biotin) | 2000 mcg | 667% |
Pantothenic Acid (as calcium D-pantothenate) | 50 mg | 500% |
Calcium (as calcium carbonate and calcium D-pantothenate)† | 200 mg | 20% |
†Iodine (as potassium iodide) | 225 mcg | 150% |
Zinc (as zinc amino acid chelate [rice protein based])† | 15 mg | 100% |
Selenium (as Rice Selenium Chelate [Rice Protein Based])† | 50 mcg | 71% |
Copper (as copper amino acid chelate [rice protein based])† | 1 mg | 50% |
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) | 600 mg | * |
L-methionine (free form) | 250 mg | * |
Horsetail extract (stem) | 100 mg | * |
L-cysteine (as L-cysteine hydrochloride) | 100 mg | * |
Inositol | 50 mg | * |
Choline (from 50 mg Choline Bitartrate) | 20 mg | * |
Particularly pleasing is the presence of L-cysteine in the working dosage. A month of use is enough and you will notice the effect. Although I noticed it even earlier – after two weeks. Price: about $20 for 45 servings. If you need vitamins that have everything at once, Maxi-Hair is a great option. Definitely better than Solgar and other similar multivitamins.
Collagen Vital Proteins
I already wrote about it in an article about the best collagen on iHerb . Several years later, I still consider this collagen to be one of the best. Helps raise protein very well. I saw direct results after 2 weeks. Nails become stronger and hair grows faster. If, according to tests, you have low protein, then be sure to try Vital Proteins. And of course, don’t forget to eat meat and liver. I am very glad that the manufacturer writes the composition of the drug. It is wonderful, it has all the necessary amino acids:
Serving Size: 2 scoops (20 g) | ||
Servings per container: approx. 28 | ||
Quantity per serving | % of daily value | |
Calories | 70 | |
Squirrels | 18 g | |
Sodium | 110 mg | 5% |
Collagen Peptides (Bovine Leather) | 20 g | ** |
** Daily value not determined |
Typical Amino Acid Composition (Natural Average Milligrams Per Serving) | |
Alanine | 1462 mg |
Arginine | 1517 mg |
Aspartic acid | 1192 mg |
Glutamic acid | 2239 mg |
Glycine | 3719 mg |
histidine†† | 144 mg |
Hydroxylysine | 217 mg |
Hydroxyproline | 2058 mg |
Isoleucine†† | 271 mg |
Leucine†† | 524 mg |
Lysine†† | 614 mg |
methionine†† | 108 mg |
Phenylalanine†† | 379 mg |
Proline | 2076 mg |
Cool | 614 mg |
Threonine†† | 343 mg |
Tyrosine | 90 mg |
Valin†† | 433 mg |
Iron
Low ferritin levels (less than 30 mcg/L) indicate iron deficiency in the body. And this is one of the main reasons why hair begins to fall out a lot.
I also developed an iron deficiency due to poor nutrition and stress. Even without taking tests, I realized that the problem was in the gland. The first symptom was dizziness when I stood up suddenly.
To quickly replenish my iron deficiency and stop hair loss, I started taking Hema-Plex from Nature’s Plus. This is one of the most effective complexes that I recommend for anemia. It contains highly absorbable iron bisglycinate without side effects. As well as B vitamins, zinc, copper, selenium and vitamin C, which significantly improves the absorption of iron.
After just a month of taking 1 tablet a day, my ferritin increased from 15 to 40 mcg/l. I stopped feeling dizzy and my hair almost stopped falling out.
Important point: If you are already taking a multivitamin, it is better to choose a pure iron supplement without additional ingredients, for example from NOW Foods. This will avoid an overdose of vitamins.