I'm 47 yrs old and have been losing one heck of a lot of hair after a shampoo since I was a teenager. Fortunately I always maintained a full set of thick hair, in spite of this problem. Several months ago, I started taking many different supplements to improve my overall health (not for the hair loss) and since then I'm not seeing any hair at all after I shampoo (you would think that I would at least see something). I take so many different supplements though, that I'm not able to make a definite recommendation to anyone on this board who is having a problem with hair loss. I wanted to first ask if anyone knows of a supplement (vitamin, mineral, herb) that helps with hair loss before I try and list all the supplements that I take. I also wanted to see if anyone on this board even cared to know what supplements I am taking before I list all of them. Thanks

I took a Biotin complex for skin/hair/nails before and it didnt do anything for except make my stomach sick.
Ive heard biotin, zinc, and saw palmetto can help hair.

Hi there would love to hear what you are taking

Biotin is supposed to be food for hair
Saw Palmetto
Beta Sitosteral (hope spelled right)
B-complex vitamins
Evening Primrose oil
Kelp
Iron

so far these are the only ones I have heard have a correlation to hair regrowth both male and female. I wish I could find the magic bullet im taking them all and so far nothing:rolleyes:

I have been on the iron for two months, the Biotin for one month as the b complet and primrose oil.

Saw palmetto is new for me only about 2 weeks so will give it two months and see what happens.

Share your aresenal of vitamins I would love to hear LOL:wave:

I shed tons of hair in the shower and styling. About 140 per day. Would love to get it to slow down

I loose a lot of hair while shampooing and afterwards. Most of my hair loss come from shampooing. I try to be gentle when I shampoo and not comb my hair at all afterwards. It seems to be helping a little. I have fine, thin hair so I can't even afford to loose hair after I shampoo. I heard that B vitamins will give you stronger hair. I've been taking them for 4 months now. I don't see much of a difference, although I do loose a little less hair than before.

I hear ya. My hair is fine to begin with so when I see the sink full I wonder how im not bald yet? But im afraid unless it starts to slow I might end up that way. I've tried everything and will continue to do so. No Drs seem to have an answer I guess since everything came back normal. I hope and pray it starts to slow and that the saw palmetto offers some help!:eek:

I must be an oddball because my hair loss started with a burning scalp and intense pain. Now finally that has faded no more pain but still shedding. Another one of lifes mysteries I guess:dizzy:

Okay, here goes. A quick explanation about each group will be of help before I list the supplements. The dosages listed are for the entire day and sometimes require only one capsule, but sometimes two or three to reach the listed daily dosage. If it requires two or more then I will take one or two in the morning or at lunch, then the remaining amount in the evening.

I also would like to add that the amount of gray on my head has been reduced considerably. Others have noticed this without me even bringing up the subject. (and no I haven’t been using any dye products, even though I can’t convince a few of my friends and family members of that). At this rate, I may end up with no gray at all. The gray on the sides is pretty much gone. A few months ago it was very noticeable. The gray is mostly just in the front and I’d say its been reduced to about one-half or more of what it was.

I should also say that my diet and exercise regimen hasn't changed any, nor has anything else.



Group One: I hadn’t taken any of these in the past, so they are the most likely candidates.

Group Two: I’ve taken these on and off on a few occasions in the past but can’t completely rule them out because I may of simply not noticed the lack of hair loss while I was taking them. However, these are common for people to take, except for maybe the chromium, so I kind of doubt that this group contains the one we’re looking for.

Group Three: These are ones I started taking well AFTER I noticed the lack of hair loss but thought I would list them anyway since I’ve went this far.



Group One: Super Omega Complex (Fish oil, Borage Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Safflower Oil) L - Glutamine 500 mg., Pantothenic Acid 500 mg., Ginseng Complex (Korean Ginseng Root 300 mg and Eleuterococcus Senticosus Root 450 mg), Ginger Root 550 mg., Calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, zinc 10 mg, Vit D 200 IU. The Cal, Mag, Zinc, and Vit D are all in one soft gel. Some of the ingredients I didn’t bother trying to type out but all of these can be found at Wal-Mart, except for maybe the Pantothenic Acid. Some of these I now get elsewhere, but either way, the results with the hair loss and graying have continued. Any reputable company will probably work just as well. Just my very uninformed opinion. The first three listed probably have the most potential in my opinion. However, the Cal/Mag/Zinc combo is getting a lot of praise on these boards for various ailments, including anxiety and heart issues, so maybe that wouldn’t be a bad place to start, even if it ends up not helping with the hair loss.


Group Two: Lecithin 400 mg, Chromium Picolinate 200 mcg, Beta Carotene 15 mg, B-Complex, C 500 - 1,000 mg, E 400 IU (every other day), and a multi-vitamin.


Group Three: Selenium 100 mcg (usually every day), Iron 27 mg (every other day or longer)

Well that’s it! Maybe you guys can get together on these boards and one of you start with one supplement and the other start with another and more quickly come to some sort of conclusion. Or take several at once and if you start seeing results then start taking one away until the problem returns. Or do like I have done and just keep taking them for other health benefits and not be concerned about finding out which one is helping with the hair loss, and in my case, also the diminishment of gray hair. Hope one of these supplements is the answer for you. Take care and keep us posted!

HI Steve,

Thanks so much for typing that all out. I am sure that will offer some help for many of us.

I am with you on the part about not knowing for sure which exact suppliment is helping. I am taking so many that if I do see improvement im not sure as to which one to pat on the back for a job well done.

Im only 37 to young for a woman to thin or at least I tell myself that. So I will try the cal mag zinc suppliment you mentioned it cannot hurt. right now I take

Saw Palmetto
Beta Sitersol
Iron
B complex
Biotin mega
Kelp
multiple vitamin
evening primrose

I thought about trying one and giving it a few months if no results try another, but if I went that route I probably will be bald before I test each one out individually:dizzy:

I would love to hear some others on this post and Steve thank you so much!;)

The vitamin that stands out the most to me is the Super Omega complex. I've been reading more and more how important the Omega's are for your hair. Espeically when it comes from Flax lignans...

What kind of shampoo do you use? Did you change your brand?:confused:

Sircatnip, I use the same brand that I have for a few years now called Herbal Essences. I get it at Wal Mart. I still shampoo the same way - rather vigorously. Also, I've showered in the same place for about four years now, so its not a situation where a new drain is allowing all the hair to drain down.

I found almost all the vitamins/supplements you listed and have started on them -- except for the pantothenic acid & the ginseng - can't find them here. Any certain drug store where you found them??? Thanks!

Sircatnip, The ginseng is made by Spring Valley. Its called Ginseng Complex and I bought it at Wal Mart. The pantothenic acid I have is made by NOW and I bought it at a small health store in Dallas (Herb Mart). Don't know if they're a national chain store or not.

Sircatnip or any others you may be trying some of the supplements that I mentioned. Are you seeing any difference?

I am having a similar situation with shampooing and losing hair..

I started growing my hair out a few months ago and its now about 5 inches long, curly, and not as thick as it was, so it seems..

About a month ago, I started noticing a lot of hair falling out when I would shampoo my hair.. Not just shampooing, but if I would just run my fingers through my hair, more would come out.. Then styling my hair afterward, I would see even MORE hair.. Before I started growing my hair out, I NEVER lost that much hair at once.. I can also see more of my scalp than I could before..

I use A LOT of gel in my hair everyday, but I didnt think this could be the cause since I've been using gel for a long time and never had this kind of problem.. A few weeks ago, I had my hair braided in cornrows and when I took them out, I noticed my scalp had a lot of sebum build up and I was wondering if this was what was causing my hair to fall out? I've been reading about how sebum buildup causes hair loss, so I'm guessing that is the cause?

I dont think its genes causing my hair to fall out because I'm only 19! I was thinking about using Nizoral.. Anyone have any advice?

i was gelling my hair daily until i noticed my hair loss, i stopped right away thinking it could be the cause but it made no difference. Also if i shampoo my hair i get a tonne of it come out in my hands , like 40 when i rinse it, 30 on my hands and another 30 odd washing the shampoo out. Then after, like you, a load more will just fall out. Im also at a loss but im taking note of SteveGns supplements. Failing that im thinking about taking propecia.

Sounds just like my situation..

But I also noticed that when I brush my hair and blow dry it, I dont lose much at all.. Only when I'm in the shower, or when I put gel in it..

I was reading around these posts, and I came across this..

Are you sure you're receding though? Each day quite a few strands of hair can fall out naturally, for some people even around 100 per day is still normal. And the longer your hair is the more noticable the shedding is. Also growing your hair out might make it look like it is receding especially if you go from wearing it down over your forehead to combing it back or away from the face. Most males have a hairline that recedes a bit at the temples but it certainly doesn't always mean imminent baldness.

My hair is getting longer, and I am noticing A LOT more shedding than before.. Maybe this is the case, but I can still notice a difference in the overall thickness of my hair.. Like, for example, If I were to bunch it all up into a ponytail, I noticed it's not as thick as it was before.. Also, In certain light, I can see a lot more of my scalp than I've ever noticed before..

Maybe I'm just being paranoid; I sure hope I am..

4 yrs ago i began to notice a LOT more hair shedding than ever before. At this point i blamed it on antidepressants which i took for about 5 months before quitting. I had gone through a lot of stress also and was told that the hair would grow back and that there were no medical problems. My hair grows and i see lots of baby hairs of varying lengths, but i do shed a lot. I simply don't want it thinning to the point i have to use medication!!

I do notice that during summer my hair sheds in scary amounts, but once winter sets in it sheds no where near as much.

I have tried to use various vitamins, but maybe i dont use them long enough or perhaps the dosages are too low. I was found to be deficient in iron and when i checked my medical records i believe i've been low in iron for quite some years. Perhaps this has something to do with it.