Vitamin Deficiency Causing Hair Growth

Most women have fine hair on their lips, chin, chest, abdomen and back. The amount of hair considered "normal" varies from woman to woman and depends on an individual's genetics, hormones and lifestyle. Modern medical thought distinguishes between hypertrichosis--excess hair anywhere on the body that is generally short, fine and light in color--and hirsutism, the conversion of normal hairs to dark, coarse hairs at sites where normally only men have such hair. The term "excess hair" refers to any unwanted hair, whether it's more or less than the average. If polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is found to be the cause, a physician may recommend dietary changes, including an increased intake of certain vitamins.

Causes

Excess hair in women can be caused by high levels of male hormones called androgens. A number of conditions cause raised androgen levels, but PCOS is by far the most common. Other symptoms of PCOS include acne, menstrual cycle problems, trouble losing weight, a deep voice and diabetes. Though treatment may also involve medication or even surgery, losing the weight associated with PCOS has been found to reduce hair growth, according to a 2006 report in the journal "Akusherstvo i ginekologiia."

Diet

PCOS can be managed by eating a healthy, balanced diet and following an exercise plan to help keep weight at a healthy level, according to a 2008 report in the publication "Nutrition in Clinical Practice." Increasing consumption of Omega-3 fats (found in cod liver oil and in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel), and eliminating trans fatty acids (look out for the term "partially hydrogenated" on food packaging) is advised. Recommended supplements include chromium, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, copper and vitamin B6.

Vitamin B6

While a deficiency in vitamin B6 does not cause increased hair growth in all cases, it may play a part in hirsutism in women with PCOS. Some women with PCOS have too much prolactin, a hormone normally associated with lactation but that also causes testosterone to be taken up by tissues. Vitamin B6 appears to reduce the production of prolactin and inhibit the action of testosterone, according to a 2008 report in the journal "Current Nutrition and Food Science." A vitamin B6 deficiency seems to cause cells, including hair follicle cells, to have an exaggerated response to hormones, according to a 1989 study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition."

Vitamin E

As with vitamin B, a vitamin E deficiency will not necessarily lead to hair growth, but it is recommended to help reduce the high androgen levels associated with PCOS. Vitamin A is a valuable part of diets for PCOS and other androgen excess-related conditions because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Though more research into the effects of long-term use in women is needed, vitamin A has been shown to reduce androgens, the hormone responsible for unwanted hair in women, in males.

Other Causes

Not all women with unwanted hair growth have excessive levels of androgens. For most, excess hair is genetic in origin. It can run in families or be determined by an individual's ethnic background. For instance, women of Middle Eastern, South Asian and Mediterranean descent tend to have more hair than those from other regions. If genetic, racial and ethnic factors are the cause of unwanted hair, dietary changes will not help. Instead, physical methods such as shaving, waxing, beaching, electrolysis or laser treatment are recommended.

References

• "Akusherstvo i ginekologiia": Clinical, Hormonal and Biochemical Changes After Treatment With Metformin and Weight Reduction in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• "Nutrition in Clinical Practice": Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Other Androgen Excess-related Conditions: Can Changes in Dietary Intake Make a Difference?
• "Current Nutrition and Food Science"; Dietary Approaches and Alternative Therapies for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Current Nutrition and Food Science, Volume 4; Michael Lydic and Vijaya Juturu; 2008
• "The British Journal of Nutrition": Effects of Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Repletion on the Uptake...
• "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences": Vitamin E Succinate Inhibits the Function of Androgen Receptor and the Expression of Prostate-specific Antigen in Prostate Cancer Cells