Vitamin B6 May Help Restore Hair

Article Updated August 2022

Vitamin B6 May Help Restore Hair: According to Dr. U, Vitamin B6 may be instrumental in supporting overall hair restoration strategies. Also known as Pyridoxine, it is part of the family of B complex vitamins. Besides the general health benefits of this vitamin, there are also research studies suggesting its potential effectiveness as a treatment for reversing hair loss.

What Exactly Are Vitamins?

It is common knowledge that vitamins are good for us. But they are not used as building blocks. Instead, as co-enzymes, they help carry out specific reactions that optimize certain functions in our body. Vitamin B6 is one of those essential vitamins that helps the body carry out many important functions.

Background on Vitamin B6 

Vitamin B6 plays many different roles. It helps us process proteins and carbohydrates to derive energy from them. Our bodies also make a compound known as hemoglobin, with iron being a central part of the final molecule. Hemoglobin is what transports oxygen to all our cells.

Vitamin B6 also aids in the formation of red blood cells, enhances the functioning of the immune system, and converts tryptophan into niacin. According to the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University, vitamin B6 can occupy androgen protein receptors on the hair follicles. This helps block the detrimental effects of a testosterone derivative known as DHT, which causes these hair structures to be deprived of baseline nutrition and oxygen.

Also, in 1998, the British Journal of Dermatology published findings where it was found that a combination of B6 and azelaic acid was able to inhibit up to 90% of 5-alpha-reductase activity. 5-alpha-reductase is the enzyme that breaks down testosterone into DHT. Therefore, blocking it will lower the amounts of DHT the follicles are subject to.

A variation of vitamin B6, known as pyridoxal 5-phosphate, plays a role in processing amino acids to build larger protein structures. This includes:

1. catabolizing (breaking down) amino acids
2. regulating the synthesis of polyamines (organic compounds with at least two amine groups)

During the formation of hair shafts, scientists have observed that vitamin B6 increases cellular metabolism.

Research on B6 and Hair Restoration 

Here is a summary of several research studies which help provide support for the ability of vitamin B6 to help restore hair.

1. In 2001 the Polish journal Wiad Lek published a study by Brzesinska-Wcisclo L. et al., entitled, Evaluation of vitamin B6 and calcium pantothenate effectiveness on hair growth from clinical and trichographic aspects of diffuse alopecia in women. 46 women were injected daily with a combination of Vitamin B6 and calcium pantothenate for a period of six months. Researchers were surprised to learn that this reduced their hair loss and improved overall hair growth.
2. In 2007 The Journal of Dermatological Science published a study called the Chemoprevention of smoke-induced alopecia in mice by oral administration of L-cystine and vitamin B6. L-cystine and Vitamin B6 were combined and administered orally. B6 helped reduce hair loss’s effects by enhancing hair follicles’ ability to take in L-cystine, an amino acid.
3. A study published in 2001 by the Polish journal Wiadomosci Lekarski showed that injections of Vitamin B6 helped to reduce hair loss in female subjects and improve the overall condition of their hair.

Approach Hair Restoration From Multiple Angles 

If you’ve been following our posts, you may know by now that hair loss is a rather complicated phenomenon. There are many possible contributors, such as:

1. genetics
2. hormonal dynamics
3. effects of prostaglandins
4. under or overactive thyroid
5. side effects of prescriptions
6. food intolerances
7. smoking and alcohol
8. excessive sun exposure
9. pollution

Different people might be affected by different sets of factors, according to Dr. U. Therefore, hair restoration and the prevention of loss often require a highly individualized and multi-pronged approach. A physician would be able to help administer blood tests to help determine the needs of your body on a more specific level. Furthermore, they would also be able to issue diagnoses for relevant medical conditions, which can help you better target the proper treatment strategies.

Your Health and Taking Vitamins Properly

If you feel that your body could benefit from more B vitamins, like B6, start choosing foods rich in this nutrient. Here are some examples:

1. bell peppers
2. spinach
3. potatoes with skin
4. peas
5. yams
6. asparagus
7. broccoli
8. turnip greens
9. sunflower seeds
10. cashews
11. hazelnuts
12. bran
13. legumes

Minimal use of heat can help retain their nutritional potency. And consider preparing these types of foods in ways that are most appealing to you. This will help you stay consistent with maintaining healthy eating habits. Aim for the long term when it comes to reaping the benefits of quality nutrition.

However, if you feel you would like to take Vitamin B6 or other supplements to help restore your hair health, this would be an excellent topic to discuss with your doctor, who can recommend proper dosage levels for your particular physiology. Here is a list of questions to have on hand during this conversation.

1. Is a particular supplement brand safe?
2. Will the supplement of interest interact with other medications you’re taking? Could it reduce or enhance the effectiveness of these other drugs?
3. What possible side effects may you expect to experience?
4. Is the supplement safe for children?
5. is it safe to take the supplement while nursing or pregnant?
6. What dosage should you use based on your age group or weight?
7. When will the effects start to become noticeable?
8. Should you discontinue taking the vitamin/supplement if there are no apparent benefits?

When choosing a supplement product, be careful when considering brands made outside the United States. Safety standards may be different in other countries. Also, you may even want to consider looking online for reviews and information about past recalls.

Dr. U, who advocates natural forms of treatment whenever possible, believes that plant extracts and thoughtful processing that helps retain ingredients’ original properties are ideal. Other compounds accompanying the active ingredient within its natural environment help produce a more balanced and harmonious effect with the rest of the body.

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