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

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is sometimes used to support hair health, particularly in cases of hair loss or thinning. The justification for this use is primarily scientific, but the strength of evidence is limited. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation, and a deficiency can lead to a variety of systemic symptoms, including megaloblastic anemia and neurological disturbances. Hair follicles are among the fastest dividing cells in the body, and adequate B12 levels are necessary for their optimal function.

Case reports and small observational studies suggest that B12 deficiency may contribute to hair loss, especially in the form of diffuse telogen effluvium. In these cases, correcting the deficiency with supplementation may help restore normal hair growth. However, in individuals with normal B12 levels, there is no reliable evidence that additional B12 supplementation improves hair growth or prevents hair loss. No large, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated a direct benefit of B12 supplementation for hair loss in the absence of deficiency.

Most clinical guidelines recommend assessing B12 status in patients with unexplained hair loss as part of a broader evaluation for nutritional deficiencies. In summary, while there is scientific rationale for using B12 to treat hair loss only in those who are deficient, there is limited evidence to support its use in the general population for hair health.

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