Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B12 is sometimes used to support or treat hair loss or thinning, primarily based on its essential role in cellular metabolism and DNA synthesis. Scientifically, B12 deficiency can lead to various symptoms, including anemia, fatigue, and occasionally hair changes such as hair loss. There are case reports and small studies indicating that correcting a B12 deficiency may help restore normal hair growth in affected individuals. However, for people with normal B12 levels, there is little robust evidence that supplementation with vitamin B12 alone will prevent or reverse hair loss. Most clinical studies focusing on hair loss emphasize that deficiencies in several nutrients, such as iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins (including B12), can contribute to hair thinning, but supplementation only benefits those who are deficient.

In summary, the scientific support for vitamin B12 as a treatment for hair loss is limited to cases of deficiency; there is no strong evidence for its benefit in the general population with adequate B12 status. Thus, while its use is scientifically justified in deficient individuals, it is not broadly validated for hair loss in people with normal B12 levels. More rigorous, controlled studies are needed to clarify its role in hair health.

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