Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVitamin Deficiency & Hair LossVitamin DeficienciesToo Many Vitamins
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Vitamin Deficiency & Hair Loss
Vitamin Deficiencies
Too Many Vitamins
Vitamin deficiencies are being studied to determine how they contribute to hair loss. A lack of protein or iron in the diet can cause hair loss, but the complex roles of vitamin deficiencies in thinning hair aren’t yet clear. Most research has focused on the possible benefits of vitamins B, D, C, and E, along with several minerals.
Nutritional deficiency is only one of many possible causes of hair thinning, which often overlap. Despite product manufacturers' claims, supplementation isn’t likely to help with alopecia unless it’s due to a specific vitamin deficiency. In fact, taking too much of certain vitamins can contribute to the problem.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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How Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss
The vitamins and minerals that you consume play a role in the health of yourhair folliclesand hair growth cycle. However, the exact impact of vitamin intake on hair loss is very complex, and it hasn’t been well-studied.
Here’s what is known about vitamin deficiency, nutrient intake, and hair loss:
The research around vitamin intake and hair loss is limited. Researchers have called for more double-blind placebo studies to examine the role of vitamin and mineral intake on hair loss.
Vitamin Deficiencies That May Contribute to Thinning Hair and Hair Loss
Unfortunately, there aren’t many clear-cut answers when it comes to which vitamin deficiencies cause hair loss. However, this article will cover what we do know about vitamin deficiencies and hair loss, as well as what nutrient intakes can impact your hair.
B Vitamins, Biotin, and Folic Acid
B vitaminsplay a role in lots of bodily functions, including cell division.Biotinis a type of B vitamin (B7) that helps the body convert food into energy and manage cell communication.
Hair loss and hair shedding can be a symptom of biotin deficiency.If you have a deficiency, taking biotin can help stop hair loss.
But if you don’t have a confirmed biotin deficiency, taking biotin supplements won’t help with hair loss.That’s surprising to many people since many companies sell shampoos and other products with biotin, claiming that they’ll improve hair health.
Vitamin D
Vitamin Dis best known for keeping your bones strong. Some people with vitamin D deficiency develop hair loss, usually associated withrickets. For people with a vitamin D deficiency, supplementing might help with hair loss.
In addition, studies have shown a connection between vitamin D deficiencies and autoimmune conditions, includingalopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. Takingvitamin D supplementsuntil you’re no longer deficient can help with outcomes and treatments for alopecia.
Iron
Iron is important for having healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. If you don’t get enough iron from your diet, you can developanemia, or a low red blood cell count, which is a cause of hair loss.
When experiencing hair loss, ask your healthcare provider to screen you for low iron levels and supplement if needed.
Vitamin C
Vitamin Cmay be associated with immunity, rather than hair loss, but it’s critical to make sure you’re getting enough of it, especially if you have hair loss associated with low iron levels.If you have hair loss associated with iron deficiency, try to get enough vitamin C though citrus foods, potatoes, peppers and other foods packed with this nutrient.Supplementscan also help.
Zinc
Zincis another trace mineral that supports healthy cell function. Zinc deficiency is rare, but it’s associated with alopecia. However, the research on whether correcting the zinc deficiency can help with symptoms of alopecia, including hair loss, is mixed.
The 7 Best Zinc Supplements, According to a Dietitian
Vitamin E
Vitamin Ehelps support your immune system and other bodily functions. There’s little data on vitamin E and hair loss.
Magnesium
Magnesiumis a chemical element that supports brain health. Hair loss is not a typical symptom of magnesium deficiency, but some research shows that supplementing with magnesium can help with hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Can Too Many Vitamins Cause Hair Loss?
Vitamin A
Vitamin A contributes to cellular growth. That might sound positive for your hair, but consuming too much vitamin A can actually cause hair loss.
How much vitamin A is too much? Most adults shouldn’t consume more than 10,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin A daily. That’s much more than you’d get in a typical diet. If you’re supplementing with vitamin A and notice hair loss, talk with a healthcare provider.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that your body needs in small (trace) amounts. Some research shows that selenium can help with hair loss, including among people who are getting chemotherapy. However, having too much selenium can also cause hair loss. Never take more than 400 IUs of selenium each day.
Summary
However, hair loss has many causes, including hormonal changes, stress, and infection. If you’re experiencing hair loss, talk with your healthcare provider, who can help you address the causes of hair loss and develop a treatment plan that will work for you.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hair loss.Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A.The role of vitamins and minerals in hair oss: A review. National Library of Medicine. March 2019.MedlinePlus.Pantothenic acid and biotin.MedlinePlus.Hair loss. National Library of Medicine. June 7, 2023.Jaripur M, Ghasemi-Tehrani H, Askari G, Gholizadeh-Moghaddam M, Clark CCT, Rouhani MH.The effects of magnesium supplementation on abnormal uterine bleeding, alopecia, quality of life, and acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022. Doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-00982-7
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hair loss.Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A.The role of vitamins and minerals in hair oss: A review. National Library of Medicine. March 2019.MedlinePlus.Pantothenic acid and biotin.MedlinePlus.Hair loss. National Library of Medicine. June 7, 2023.Jaripur M, Ghasemi-Tehrani H, Askari G, Gholizadeh-Moghaddam M, Clark CCT, Rouhani MH.The effects of magnesium supplementation on abnormal uterine bleeding, alopecia, quality of life, and acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022. Doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-00982-7
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hair loss.Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A.The role of vitamins and minerals in hair oss: A review. National Library of Medicine. March 2019.MedlinePlus.Pantothenic acid and biotin.MedlinePlus.Hair loss. National Library of Medicine. June 7, 2023.Jaripur M, Ghasemi-Tehrani H, Askari G, Gholizadeh-Moghaddam M, Clark CCT, Rouhani MH.The effects of magnesium supplementation on abnormal uterine bleeding, alopecia, quality of life, and acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022. Doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-00982-7
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hair loss.
Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A.The role of vitamins and minerals in hair oss: A review. National Library of Medicine. March 2019.
MedlinePlus.Pantothenic acid and biotin.
MedlinePlus.Hair loss. National Library of Medicine. June 7, 2023.
Jaripur M, Ghasemi-Tehrani H, Askari G, Gholizadeh-Moghaddam M, Clark CCT, Rouhani MH.The effects of magnesium supplementation on abnormal uterine bleeding, alopecia, quality of life, and acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022. Doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-00982-7
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