Losing hair has not remained a cosmetic problem now as it has a deeper impact on your psychological health. While aging and genetics are often the main culprits, there are fewer discussions about deficiency in vitamins. A human body lacking important vitamins can cause excess hair loss. We need a bunch of nutrients to keep our body healthy and functioning at its best. This debate sparks interest in people to know more about the vitamin deficiency that may cause hair loss.
Vitamins and Hair Loss
The minerals and vitamins consumed in the human body have a special part in maintaining your hair growth. Numerous scientific studies reveal evident connections between vitamin deficiencies and hair loss problems, causing excessive shedding. Reducing the vitamin deficiency levels creates improvements in hair thickness, and reduction in shedding, indicating healthy hair growth. If you are deficient in vitamins, it can affect the function of healthy hair follicle development and protein hair production.
Listed below are the common vitamin deficiencies in men:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Folic acid
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Iodine
Listed below are a few vitamin deficiencies that women can experience:
- Vitamin B12
- Iodine
- Iron
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
Vitamin Deficiencies: The Top Ones For Hair Loss
Listed below are some vitamins lack of which can cause hair loss in humans:
Vitamin D
Crucial for the development of bone and teeth, the Vitamin D complex also helps with the resistance to illness. This directly relates to hair loss too. This increases the growth of hair follicles. The absence of vitamin D leads to hair loss and slows down hair growth.
To complete your Vitamin D deficiency, consume products like:
- Fatty fish
- Cod liver
- Beef liver
- egg yolks
Vitamin E
Known for its antioxidant qualities, this vitamin minimizes the harm caused by free radicals and protects the cells in the body. This protects the hair and scalp cells from negative impact. This helps to curb hair loss while improving circulation to the scalp. This also uplifts the gloss of hair and helps maintain the scalp to be healthy. Doctors identify the presence of low vitamin E through blood tests of alpha-tocopherol and vitamin E.
Correct Vitamin E deficiency by:
- Having vitamin E supplements regularly to help boost levels.
- Taking more Vitamin E rich food items- almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach.
- Applying natural oils, including rosehip oil and olive oil on the scalp offers additional advantages to hair.
Vitamin C
This deficiency may result in:
- Dry, split hair
- More shedding
- Slow regrowth following hair loss episodes
- The strands are brittle and break.
Diagnostic tests include a test to determine the levels of vitamin C/ascorbic acids in blood. Vitamin C supplements daily will correct deficiencies. You can apply Vitamin C creams to the skin to bring additional benefits. Prefer having vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits and vegetables, like broccoli, peppers, and strawberries to restore levels.
Biotin
Biotin or Vitamin B7 deficiencies relate to hair loss and hair thinning. Although supplementing with biotin can resolve an underlying problem, its advantages for treating hair loss in people with no deficiency are in debate. Preferring adequate biotin in the diet can assist in maintaining cellular processes vital to optimum hair growth and shine. If you think your hair loss may be due to a deficiency in biotin, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and advice. Here’s how you can correct it:
- Balanced Diet: Include biotin-rich food items- almonds, eggs, sweet potatoes, spinach.
- Biotin Supplements: Medical professionals may suggest biotin supplements based on individual requirements.
- Hair Care: Following a healthy hair-care routine can help you fulfill biotin deficiencies.
Vitamin A
Lower vitamin A levels cause visible hair loss which can go up to a greater rate of daily shedding. Regrowth periods following the loss of hair can be long. Dandruff flaking can occur as a typical indication of low levels of vitamin A. Doctors can detect deficiency by some blood tests. However, you can reverse Vitamin A deficiency condition by:
- Consuming vitamin A capsules daily to restore levels but pregnant women should seek advice from a doctor before taking them.
- Consume vitamin A-rich oranges and yellow vegetables- sweet potatoes, carrots, green peppers, squash.
- Cod liver oil can prove to be a great alternative to get vitamin A.
Folic Acid
Folic acid or vitamin B9 essentially works for cell growth and division. A body lacking folic acid may affect the rapid cell division required for the production of new hair follicles. This slowing of cell growth leads to increased loss of hair and slow regrowth following shedding episodes. Doctors can spot a deficiency in folic acid by analyzing blood levels and observing results that may indicate there is a deficiency. Address this deficiency by:
- Taking a tablet of folic acids to help replenish levels effectively.
- Having food rich in folate- citrus fruits, leafy greens beans, lentils.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine controls numerous biochemical and enzymatic reactions in our body that can affect hair health. If you’re not getting enough of this essential mineral, hair could be prone to thinning or falling out more frequently than normal. This ensures healthy enzyme activity and protein synthesis in follicles causing shiny hair. Doctors can detect an insufficient vitamin B6 by conducting blood tests. Restore the levels by:
- Diet and supplementation under the supervision of a medical professional.
- Consuming foods rich in vitamin B6- potatoes, poultry, bananas, nuts.
How To Find Out if You Are Deficient?
Getting a consultation from your doctor before consuming any vitamin supplements is what we suggest here. Some vitamins like D, A, K, and E could accumulate in your body, leading to dangerous levels. A specialist can address any underlying issues that might contribute to nutritional deficiency. Additionally, they can ask for tests to assess your health condition.
Tests of saliva, blood and urine can help you grab details about specific nutritional deficiencies. These tests might get affected by conditions like infections, medical conditions, stress, and more. Your doctor must look at these factors before they recommend any vitamin supplements.
Wrapping Up!
We tried our best to cover every relatable aspect of the top vitamins whose lack can cause hair loss. As of now, we know how vitamin deficiency links to hair loss causes and also some important vitamin deficiencies that can cause hair loss. We also covered some tips to fulfill the lack of certain vitamins in your body. Boost your hair growth with the right vitamins.
