Will folic acid help with hair loss
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Summary
4 papers analyzed
These studies suggest folic acid may help with hair loss, particularly in cases related to nutritional deficiencies.
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The Role of Folic Acid in Hair Loss Treatment
Folic Acid and Alopecia: Evidence from Animal Studies
Folic acid has been shown to play a significant role in hair health, particularly in cases of alopecia, a condition characterized by hair loss. A study involving a Charolais calf with progressive hair loss demonstrated that daily oral administration of folic acid (1 mg/kg/day) led to the gradual disappearance of crusts and patches associated with folic acid deficiency. Within two months, the calf exhibited steady hair growth and recovery to a normal state. This suggests that folic acid, essential for cellular turnover in various tissues including hair follicles, can be an effective treatment for certain types of alopecia triggered by folic acid deficiency.
Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery: The Impact of Folic Acid
Hair loss is a common complication following metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies involving 2,538 participants found that the incidence of hair loss post-MBS was 57%. The review highlighted that low serum levels of folic acid, along with zinc and ferritin, were significantly associated with hair loss in these patients. This indicates that maintaining adequate folic acid levels may help mitigate hair loss in individuals undergoing MBS.
Protective Role of Folic Acid in Ethanol-Induced Hair Cell Loss
Research on zebrafish larvae exposed to ethanol has shown that folic acid can protect against hair cell loss. The study found that co-treatment with folic acid significantly increased the number of remaining hair cells compared to ethanol-only treatment groups. Although retinoic acid was more effective, folic acid still provided notable protection against hair cell apoptosis and mitochondrial damage induced by ethanol exposure. This suggests that folic acid supplementation could potentially prevent hair cell loss caused by environmental or chemical stressors.
Hair Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Folic Acid's Role
A prospective study on patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) found that 56% experienced hair loss six months post-surgery. The study noted that patients with hair loss had significantly lower postoperative folic acid levels compared to those without hair loss. This further supports the idea that folic acid deficiency is linked to hair loss and that monitoring and supplementing folic acid levels pre- and post-surgery could serve as a preventive and therapeutic measure.
Conclusion
The evidence from various studies suggests that folic acid plays a crucial role in preventing and treating hair loss. Whether due to nutritional deficiencies, surgical procedures, or environmental factors, maintaining adequate folic acid levels appears to support hair health and mitigate hair loss. Therefore, folic acid supplementation could be a beneficial strategy for individuals experiencing hair loss due to these underlying causes.
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