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If you are experiencing thinning hair, it might be tempting to turn to supplements to help you regrow your strands. However, before making any drastic diet changes, including supplements, consulting a doctor is your best bet. If you over-do it on supplements, especially if you are taking them without any nutritional deficiencies, they might not have the intended effect. In fact, taking too much of certain supplements can actually have the opposite impact, making hair loss worse.
Keep reading for more.
Selenium
Selenium is one supplement that you should keep in moderation, especially for those concerned with hair loss. According to Medical News Today, "Selenium is involved in creating hair," but that does not necessarily mean you should start supplementing your diet with it. The article continues, "[T]oo much selenium can cause brittle hair and hair loss, along with nausea, skin rashes, and nervous system problems."
Before adding this supplement to your routine, be sure to keep in mind that "[t]he recommended upper limit for selenium in adults is 400 micrograms (mcg)."
There are also foods that contain a lot of selenium that you should keep in mind.
Healthline explains, "Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium. One ounce, or about six to eight nuts, contains about 544 mcg. Make sure you only eat a serving of Brazil nuts a few times a week to avoid selenium toxicity."
Vitamin A
Too much vitamin A can also leave your hair thinner.
According to Healthline, "Diets deficient in vitamin A may lead to several problems, including hair loss. While it’s important to get enough vitamin A, too much may be dangerous. Studies show that an overdose of vitamin A can also contribute to hair loss."
With this in mind, consulting a doctor before you add any supplements to your diet is crucial, especially because too much of a good thing can actually turn into a bad thing, particularly when it comes to taking supplements for hair loss.
