Hair loss can be an upsetting and stressful experience for both men and women, and many people will feel that there is nothing they can do to prevent it or to encourage lost hair to grow back.

There are medications and supplements on the market, some of which make miraculous claims about their abilities to stimulate hair growth, but do any of them really work?

One of the most commonly prescribed medications is Minoxidil, which has been proven to be successful in around half of cases. But it does demand that you remember to take tablets every day and you could end up on medication for the rest of your life, if you never want to lose your hair.

It is well known that a good diet can help build strong teeth and nails, but can dietary supplements or the food we eat ever prevent hair loss or even make it grow back?

According to Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at NYU Medical Center, hair loss in women can often be attributed to an iron deficiency. She stated on the website webmd.com that “the deficiency may be so slight you barely notice it but it can play a role in female hair loss.”

Vitamin B12 is another widespread deficiency in women and a lack of this nutrient, found commonly in eggs, meat and chicken, can stop vital oxygen getting to hair follicles.

A good diet will help give you strong and healthy hair, and can probably encourage temporary hair loss to reverse. However, often the cause is something medical or an underlying problem, and is these situations only advice from a medical professional will help.