Published on October 20, 2021. Last Updated on December 2, 2021.
What is Folic Acid: Folic acid, a synthetic form of folate also known as Vitamin B-9, is a type of B vitamin mainly responsible for healthy cell growth for cells found inside of skin, hair, and nails.
Although not too many studies and research have been done specifically on folic acid and how it directly affects hair growth or hair restoration, folic acid or folate does play a critical role in the transfer of nutrients and oxygen to several areas of the body, including the scalp and hair.
Due to this crucial fact, folate or folic acid can serve as a possible ingredient or solution for hair growth, restoration, and general hair health.
Folic Acid for Hair Health: Table of Contents
In this article, we will cover related health topics regarding folic acid or folate:
- How is Folic Acid Absorbed into the Body?
- Folic Acid vs. Folate: Which is More Effective?
- Folic Acid Safety Profile
- Healthy Foods High in Folate
- How Does Folic Acid Help Hair Health?
- How Does Folic Acid Help Hair Growth?
- Research Findings: RBC Folate Correlation with Alopecia Areata
- Folic Acid & Grey Hair Prevention
- Folic Acid for Hair Growth: Is There Conclusive Evidence?
- Folic Acid for Hair Recommended Dosage
- Why Folate is Also Important for General Health
- Other Health Risks of Low Folate or Folic Acid Levels
- Other Important Health Benefits of Folic Acid: Women Expecting Children
- Recommended Dosage of Folic Acid for Women Expecting Children
- Folic Acid Supplementation
- Recommended Folic Acid Supplementation
How is Folic Acid Absorbed into the Body?
Folic acid absorption involves two steps:
- Conversion of folic acid to dihydrofolate (DHF)
- DHF conversion to tetrahydrofolate (THF)
Folic Acid vs. Folate: Which is More Effective?
Unlike folate, the natural form of folic acid, folic acid consumed takes more time for conversion into the liver and other tissues. Unlike folate, which takes only a single conversion for it to be available for use by the body, folic acid conversion is a two-step process as outlined above.
The conversion of folic acid in the human body is a slower process than the conversion of folate.
More so, this conversion of folic acid in the human body can be slower, even, and more inefficient in some people due to a low supply of necessary enzymes to break down the folic acid within the body. This slow conversion of folic acid can lead to an unhealthy buildup of unmetabolized folic acid in the body.
Yet, one study suggests that taking folic acid with other B Vitamins, particularly Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, can make this conversion more efficient.
Folic Acid Safety Profile
According to the EWG safety profile on folic acid, folic acid scores a 1, which states that folic acid or folate has no potential risks of cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, nor allergies, and immunotoxicity when taken in recommended doses.
Healthy Foods High in Folate
Folate is the naturally occurring form of folic acid found in natural foods such as dark leafy vegetables and other foods such as:
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Green Peas
- Dry Peas
- Legumes
- White Beans
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Kohlrabi Halibut
- Cod
- Eggs
- Poultry Liver
- Beef Liver
The word “folate” originates from the Latin word “folium,” which means leaf. Thus, for the most part, you can find good folate levels from leafy vegetables.
For example, a half cup of boiled spinach contains about one-third of the daily folate requirement.
It is important to note that out of all these folate-rich foods listed, beef or poultry liver contains the highest folate concentration, with well above the daily dietary requirement for 1 serving.
Other notably high-folate foods in this list include spinach, Brussels sprouts, black-eyed peas, and asparagus.
How Does Folic Acid Help Hair Health?
Having a normal and healthy level of folic acid is associated with a balanced and sufficient distribution of nutrients throughout the body, helping ensure a healthy head of shinier and stronger hair.
How Does Folic Acid Help Hair Growth?
As stated by a 2018 study, The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss, “hair loss is a common problem that may be improved with vitamin and mineral supplementation. Vitamins and minerals are important for normal cell growth and function and may contribute to hair loss when they are deficient.”
More so, folic acid helps generate new cells and is involved in the keratinization process of hair during active hair growth.
Research Findings: RBC Folate Correlation with Alopecia Areata
In a 2014 study published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers focused on patients with Alopecia areata, a “common type of hair loss” based on an autoimmune basis.
In this study, they evaluated 29 patients for at least 6 months.
Researchers found that patients with alopecia areata had lower RBC (red blood cell) folate, which is in “negative correlation with both severity and extension of Alopecia areata.”
Although this research does not directly correlate folate levels with hair growth, it concludes that there may be a deep correlation between folate or folic acid levels with the amount of nutrients, oxygen, and hemoglobin available and necessary for healthy hair and scalp.
Folic Acid & Grey Hair Prevention
Folic acid is also responsible for stimulating and rebuilding hair follicles to prevent hair graying and falling out and regulate sebum gland functions. This process is done by folates or folic acid’s role in producing new red blood cells and hemoglobin, which transports oxygen and nutrients to tissues and cells all around the body, including cells related to hair and hair growth.
Due to folic acid’s role in helping transport essential nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, folic acid also helps prevent premature graying by keeping production levels of oxygen-rich red blood cells normalized and stabilized. Without the aid of folic acid, these cells can potentially overproduce, resulting in pigmentation changes to the hair (graying).
Folic Acid for Hair Growth: Is There Conclusive Evidence?
Although few studies have been done on folic acid specifically for hair growth, folic acid has been discussed as a possible supplement or treatment to help with alopecia. A lack of folic acid within the body can result in the body prioritizing critical nutrients to more vital organs, leaving the hair deprived of nutrients and susceptible to damage or fallout.
Besides potentially stopping hair loss, folic acid can also help thicken hair, as folic acid deficiency may be associated with thinning hair.
Folic Acid for Hair Recommended Dosage
If you are looking at folic acid or folate supplementation to possibly help stimulate hair growth, prevent premature hair graying, and increase volume and shine in hair, it is recommended to take approximately 400 mcg of folate per day.
This is the recommended dosage of folate for both adult men and women.
The upper adult human limit of folic acid or folate consumption is 1000 micrograms per day.
Too much folic acid supplementation may result in headaches, rash, nausea, skin reactions, and other symptoms. It is always recommended to first consult with a doctor before starting supplementations of any kind.
More information regarding folate dosage and precautions.
Why Folate is Also Important for General Health
Unlike other B vitamins, folate is water-soluble, so the body secretes it through urine rather than storing it within the body. Due to this fleeting nature of folate in the body, it is essential to make sure that enough folate is in your diet or supplementation every day, as folate is crucial in creating and maintaining new, healthy cells throughout the body.
For example, a lack of the dietary or supplementary daily requirement of folate or folic acid can result in Folate Deficiency Anaemia, which means there are not enough blood cells or too low hemoglobin levels in the body. Symptoms of this type of anemia include:
- Extreme Tiredness
- Mouth Ulcers
- Muscle Weakness
- Disturbed Vision
- Memory Problems
Other Health Risks of Low Folate or Folic Acid Levels
Low levels of vitamin B9, or folate, folic acid levels also include adverse health risks such as:
- Higher risk of heart disease and stroke
- Higher risk of cancer
Other Important Health Benefits of Folic Acid: Women Expecting Children
Folic acid or folate is also essential for women who are expecting children. For example, folic acid supplementation can help expecting women undergo a healthy pregnancy and prevent neural tube defects in unborn children such as:
- Anencephaly
- Spina Bifida
Recommended Dosage of Folic Acid for Women Expecting Children
The CDC recommends that all women get at least 400 mcg of folate or folic acid a day, whether or not they plan on becoming pregnant.
More so, The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that during actual pregnancy, 600 mcg of folate or folic acid is recommended, and 500 mcg of folate or folic acid during lactation.
Folate is a necessary part of everyone’s diet or supplementation, but it is crucial for women who want or are expecting children to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Some studies even suggest that insufficient folate intake can lead to autism spectrum disorder, but there isn’t enough research to say so for sure.
More information on folic acid for pregnancy.
Folic Acid Supplementation
Although the human body absorbs dietary folate more efficiently than folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, folic acid supplementation, is still recommended for those with folate or folic acid deficiency as long folic acid is taken in the recommended daily dosage.
If you are looking to maintain or improve the health and quality of your hair or are looking for natural ways to help improve or repair thinning or balding hair, folic acid supplementation can be a great way to do so without dramatically changing your diet.
Harness the Folic Acid Infused Power of Dr.UGro GASHEE Natural Oral Hair Supplements
Folic acid is one of the many powerful ingredients found in Dr.UGro Gashee Oral Hair Supplements. More so, Vitamin B6, another B vitamin studied and shown to help metabolize and maximize folic acid’s efficiency in the human body, is also found in all Dr.UGro Gashee products.
This is particularly important as not having vitamin B6 with folic acid can lead to slow metabolization of folic acid as previously described. To help increase the feel and appearance of hair density, thickness, and volume, or to help regrow hair loss or aid hair growth, take 4 capsules of Gashee Oral Hair Supplements daily.
PICTURES: Dr. UGro GASHEE Oral Hair Supplements Before & After Results
If you are struggling with hair health issues, such as hair loss, a receding hairline, growing bald patches on your scalp, hair breakage, falling hair, or more, you may be able to relate to Jennifer’s story.
Meet Jennifer: Jennifer, like many others who may be struggling with hair health has tried many products for her hair that did not work. Her journey towards better hair health and hair growth began with an awareness of her family history. As with most people, a decrease in hair health, hair thickness, hair strength, and hair volume eventually takes place due to age, and at times may be accelerated due to family genetics and history.
A Combination of Family Genetics & Working in The Kitchen
Working in the kitchen, Jennifer had to constantly wrap her hair in a bun to cover it, and she believed that this pressure and strain on her hair may have helped contribute to her hair loss and thinning. And unfortunately for Jennifer, this problem continued to worsen.
Jennifer began to notice her hairline slowly recede, as well as her hair to thin in several places around her scalp. Fortunately, Jennifer’s mother was already using Dr.UGRO GASHEE natural hair care products, with great improvements and results to show for it. Due to her mother’s success with GASHEE, Jennifer began taking Dr.UGRO’s GASHEE Natural Oral Hair Supplements and Hair Lotion Topical, and her amazing results can be seen below.
Note the improved fullness, length, texture, sheen, and shine of her overall hair health.
Improvements Beyond Hair: Even Her Eyelashes Grew!
Within a few months, Jennifer noticed differences and improvements in her hair health immediately, even in her lashes! She noted how before, she and many of her friends would use eyelash extensions, but now she no longer has to because her eyelashes have filled and lengthened naturally using Dr.UGRO GASHEE’s natural oral hair supplements.
More so, Jennifer also reports that she now has to pluck her eyebrows a little bit more now, as even her eyebrows had filled out and grew, more than usual!
And as for her hair, Jennifer was completely satisfied and happy – as she noted how her hairline has now filled, with thicker hair, and a fuller, healthier and happy head of hair. Now that she has had time to take a look at the before and after picture results of herself before and post-treatment, Jennifer remarks that the difference is huge and drastic.
Dr.UGRO GASHEE Natural Hair Health Improvement Results – Easy to Use
And the best part of Dr.UGRO’s GASHEE Natural Hair Products, according to Jennifer, is how easy they are to use!
For the GASHEE Natural Oral Hair Supplements she took, she only had to take 4 capsules daily.
For the GASHEE Natural Hair Lotion Topical she took, she only had to apply it to her hair once or twice daily depending on the desired effect.
VIDEO: Dr. UGro Gashee Before & After Pictures: Hair Health Improvement Results
Below you can see a before and after video result of Jennifer’s personal journey towards better hair – where she began before using GASHEE Natural Hair Health Oral Supplements, and GASHEE Natural Hair Lotion Topical.
Related Articles on Hair Loss & Hair Health Ingredients
For additional information regarding hair loss and hair health improvement ingredients that you may find helpful, check out the articles below.
References
- Healthline. 2021. Folic Acid vs. Folate — What’s the Difference?. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/folic-acid-vs-folate#folic-acid> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Medicinenet.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.medicinenet.com/which_is_better_folic_acid_or_folate/article.htm> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Dr.UGro Gashee. 2021. Dr.U Gro Gashee Product Ingredients. [online] Available at: <https://ugro.com/dr-u-gro-gashee-ingredients/> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Obeid, R., Kirsch, S., Dilmann, S., Klein, C., Eckert, R., Geisel, J. and Herrmann, W., 2021. Folic acid causes higher prevalence of detectable unmetabolized folic acid in serum than B-complex: a randomized trial.
- EWG. 2021. EWG Skin Deep® | What is FOLIC ACID. [online] Available at: <https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/702496-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID-FOLIC_ACID/> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- (COVID-19), C., Health, E., Disease, H., Disease, L., Management, P., Conditions, S., Problems, S., Disorders, S., Checker, S., Blogs, W., Answers, Q., Guide, I., Doctor, F., A-Z, C., A-Z, S., Drugs, C., Pregnant, T., Medications, M., Identifier, P., Interactions, C., Tool, D., Management, D., Obesity, W., Recipes, F., Exercise, F., Beauty, H., Balance, H., Relationships, S., Care, O., Health, W., Health, M., Well, A., Sleep, H., Teens, H., Pregnant, G., Trimester, F., Trimester, S., Trimester, T., Baby, N., Health, C., Vaccines, C., Kids, R., Cats, H., Dogs, H., Boosters, L., New, H., Death, S., Years, N., Fear, L., Groups, S., Blogs, W., Center, N., Risk, D. and Management, D., 2021. Foods High in Folate. [online] WebMD. Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-folate-folic-acid> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Almohanna, H., Ahmed, A., Tsatalis, J. and Tosti, A., 2021. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review.
- Dr.UGro Gashee. 2021. Keratin for Hair Growth and Nail Benefits, What the Research Shows. [online] Available at: <https://ugro.com/keratin-for-hair-growth-and-nail-benefits-what-the-research-shows-research-benefits-of-keratin-for-hair-restoration-and-hair-growth/> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Shakoei, S., Namazi, M., Ehsani, A., Yousefi, M., Rahimi, H. and Younespour, S., 2021. Evaluation of serum homocysteine, high-sensitivity CRP, and RBC folate in patients with alopecia areata.
- Goluch-Koniuszy, Z., 2021. Nutrition of women with hair loss problems during the period of menopause.
- Byrdie. 2021. Here’s What a Trichologist Wants You to Know About Taking Folic Acid Supplements For Hair Growth. [online] Available at: <https://www.byrdie.com/folic-acid-for-hair-growth-5083159> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021. Office of Dietary Supplements – Folate. [online] Available at: <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-Consumer/> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- nhs.uk. 2021. Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. [online] Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021. Office of Dietary Supplements – Folate. [online] Available at: <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
- (COVID-19), C., Health, E., Disease, H., Disease, L., Management, P., Conditions, S., Problems, S., Disorders, S., Checker, S., Blogs, W., Answers, Q., Guide, I., Doctor, F., A-Z, C., A-Z, S., Drugs, C., Pregnant, T., Medications, M., Identifier, P., Interactions, C., Tool, D., Management, D., Obesity, W., Recipes, F., Exercise, F., Beauty, H., Balance, H., Relationships, S., Care, O., Health, W., Health, M., Well, A., Sleep, H., Teens, H., Pregnant, G., Trimester, F., Trimester, S., Trimester, T., Baby, N., Health, C., Vaccines, C., Kids, R., Cats, H., Dogs, H., Boosters, L., New, H., Death, S., Years, N., Fear, L., Groups, S., Blogs, W., Center, N. and Risk, D., 2021. Folic Acid Benefits in Pregnancy. [online] WebMD. Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/baby/folic-acid-and-pregnancy> [Accessed 19 October 2021].