Hair loss usually has more than one cause at a time: stress, a change of season, an unbalanced diet or hormonal changes. A varied diet remains the starting point, but nutrients such as biotin, zinc and L-cystine contribute to the maintenance of normal hair and can be a useful addition, particularly if you have a shortfall. If hair loss is sudden or noticeably heavier than usual, it's best to speak to your doctor.
What are the most common causes of hair loss?
Losing some hair every day is entirely normal: on average, you shed up to around a hundred hairs a day, spread across the whole scalp. The hair growth cycle includes a resting phase followed by natural shedding, after which new hair grows in. Noticeable hair loss usually means it's clearly heavier than usual, for example in your brush or the shower drain. Possible causes are numerous: stress, a bout of fever or illness, a change of season (shedding is often heavier in autumn), iron deficiency, hormonal changes, or certain medications. Diet plays a role too, since the keratin that makes up hair needs a sufficient supply of protein and micronutrients. Several of these factors often overlap, which is part of why it can be difficult to pin down a single cause without further investigation.
Which nutrients contribute to the maintenance of normal hair?
Several nutrients are recognised for their role in maintaining normal hair, nails and skin, which makes them a logical starting point when diet alone isn't quite enough. Biotin, a B vitamin, is one of them, as is zinc, which also plays a role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. L-cystine, a sulphur-containing amino acid, is a natural building block of keratin, the structural protein in hair. Nature Avenue's Hair and Nails formula combines these three with vitamin B6, for a targeted routine over several weeks.
Zinc, a strong option on its own
Zinc deserves a mention of its own: this mineral contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and skin, while also supporting normal immune function. It's a useful option for anyone who prefers a simpler formula, either alongside or instead of a targeted hair-and-nails product.
When should you see a doctor?
Some signs are better addressed with a doctor's visit than a food supplement. That includes sudden, noticeably heavy hair loss, localised bald patches, or shedding that continues for months without improving. Iron deficiency, which is more common in women, can be a factor here: our article on women and iron deficiency covers that link in more detail. A doctor can identify the exact cause and, if needed, request a blood test to confirm or rule it out, so you know whether a supplement is a sensible option or whether a different approach is needed.
How and for how long should you take a supplement?
For the Hair and Nails formula, the recommended dose is four capsules a day with a large glass of water. Because hair grows slowly, it usually takes several weeks, often around three months, before you notice a visible difference in hair quality. It's best to limit use to a few weeks or months for a targeted course, rather than continuing indefinitely. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or on other medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you start.
What else can you do, alongside a supplement?
A few simple habits work well alongside a targeted routine. Gentle brushing, without pulling on tangles, limits mechanical breakage. Repeated heat from straighteners or a hairdryer on a high setting also weakens the hair fibre over time, as does colouring your hair too frequently. Sleep and stress management play a role too, since the hair cycle is sensitive to prolonged tiredness or tension. Finally, a sufficient protein intake remains important, since keratin, the building block of hair, is itself a protein.
In short, hair loss rarely has a single cause, and a balanced diet remains the first step. Nutrients such as biotin, zinc and L-cystine can offer targeted support over several weeks, while sudden or persistent hair loss is a reason to see a doctor.
Food supplement. Not to be used as a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
