Which Vitamins Deficiency Causes Hair Loss

Hair loss is a distressing experience that approximately 35 million men and 20 million women are experiencing globally.

It happens due to various factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and underlying health conditions. Another major cause of hair loss is vitamin deficiency. Our body needs the proper amount of vitamins to maintain our overall health.

The irregular amount of vitamins in the diet is the major reason for hair loss. This blog post focuses on the most important vitamins for hair growth. What is the link between vitamin deficiency and hair loss processes?

Role Of Vitamin D In Hair Growth

The major cause of hair loss is a deficiency of vitamin D. It is the major food for hair as it promotes hair follicle health and stimulates hair growth.

How Can You Cover The Deficiency?

• Deficiency can occur without proper intake in the diet and lack of exposure to sunlight. To get maximum vitamin D, you can spend some time in sunlight.
• Incorporate vitamin D-rich foods like egg yolks, dairy products, and fatty fish.
• The final source of getting it is vitamin D supplements to cover up the deficiency associated with this vitamin.

Vitamin B7

• Vitamin B7 is known as biotin, and its deficiency is a major cause of hair loss. It plays a major role in the production of keratin, which is the structural component of hair. An inadequate amount of biotin in the body can weaken the hair, leading to hair loss or thinning hair.
• Besides reducing the likelihood of breakage, Biotin supports the scalp's health. It also aids in the metabolism of fatty acids and improves blood circulation to the hair follicles.

How Can You Cover The Deficiency?

• Include biotin-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, eggs, and bananas in your daily routine.
• Find alternatives in the form of multivitamins from pharmacies to cover up this deficiency and promote hair health.

Vitamin C

• It is a powerful antioxidant that aids iron absorption and protects the hair follicles from oxidative stress. A deficiency in iron absorption leads to anemia, which is a condition that causes hair loss.
• It is also helpful in synthesizing collagen to maintain strong and resilient hair.

How Can You Cover The Deficiency?

• Ensure the use of citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and leafy greens (Palak, Sarson Ka Saag, and Dhaniya) to maintain the optimal amount of vitamin C in the body.
• Supplements: Nature's Bounty vitamin C with rose hip and GNC vitamin C 1000mg are the most effective alternatives.

Vitamin E

• Vitamin E is famous for its antioxidant properties that protect hair follicles from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. It also improves blood circulation to deliver essential oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.
• Moreover, this vitamin has nourishing properties to keep hair and scalp nourished and hydrated. Dryness causes scalp inflammation that is associated with hair loss.

How Can You Cover The Deficiency?

• Different oils, such as almond or argan oil, are good sources of this vitamin.
• Eatables such as seeds, avocados, nuts, and spinach support healthy hair growth.
• GNC vitamin E400 IU and Nature’s Bounty vitamin E oil can meet the needs of vitamin E.

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A supports the production of sebum, which helps maintain healthy hair and address hair loss. Sebum is a natural oil that moisturizes the scalp and keeps the hair follicles lubricated. Our hair is made of keratin; vitamin A contributes to the growth of this protein.
• It supports hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals, promotes blood circulation, and aids in removing harmful toxins.
• In addition, excessive amounts of vitamin A or deficiency of it can both cause hair loss. You need to maintain a balanced intake of this vitamin.

How Can We Cover The Deficiency?

• Foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and fish are the main sources for healthy hair growth.
• Nature's Bounty Prenatal vitamins and GNC woman's prenatal formula with DHA maintain the body's vitamin A level.

Iron

• Iron is a mineral, not a vitamin, that produces hemoglobin to ensure an optimal oxygen supply to the hair. In iron deficiency, hair cannot receive significant oxygen and nutrients. This state is called anemia, resulting in weakened hair strands, increased shedding, and thinning hair.
• In addition, the body should have a balanced level of iron that can be evaluated through blood tests to prevent the potential side effects of excessive iron intake.

How Can We Cover The Deficiency?

• Increase dietary intake of iron-rich food such as red meat, fish, spinach, and fortified cereals.
• Supplements from renowned brands such as GNC Women's Iron Complete, Nature’s Bounty Iron 65mg, and Centrum Silver multivitamins are excellent sources of supplemental iron.

Zinc

• Zinc is also a mineral, not a vitamin like iron. It addresses hair loss because of its numerous biological processes, including protein synthesis and DNA, cell division, and tissue repair. It supports the protection of new hair cells to ensure optimal hair follicle function.
• Furthermore, Zinc balances the androgen level associated with hair loss in the body. It is also known for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. These properties protect hair from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation.

How Can We Cover The Deficiency?

• Dietary sources include beef, pumpkin seeds, and lentils.
• Another source for covering the deficiency is the intake of supplements such as Nature’s Bounty Zinc 50mg or GNC Zinc Picolinate.

Other Causes That Affect The Hair Growth Process

Scalp Infection: Ringworm is an infection in the human scalp that causes hair loss.

Thyroid Disorder: Both types of thyroid issues, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism, can lead to hair loss. To address this loss, you need to maintain thyroid functionality.

Hormonal Changes: The human body experiences different hormonal changes due to childbirth, menopause, or other conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which majorly contribute to hair loss.

Stress And Trauma: Physical or emotional stress is a state that leads to temporary hair loss, known as Telogen Effluvium.

Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in patchy hair loss.

In Conclusion

All the vitamins that are key in maintaining healthy hair follicles and promoting hair growth have been described above.

A deficiency of these vitamins will appear in the form of weakened hair strands, thinning hair, and massive hair loss. Remember, you need to focus on one thing here: whether taking an adequate amount of these vitamins is covering up your hair loss or not.

If you are facing the same issue, then you need to consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist to determine the underlying causes to cover the hair loss.

FAQs

Which vitamins, when deficient, cause major hair loss?

Our body functions properly in the presence of different vitamins. Therefore, several vitamins play their role in hair loss, such as vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B7, and vitamin A.

What are the reasons that cause hair loss due to vitamin deficiencies?

Vitamin deficiency disturbs the hair growth cycle and weakens hair follicles. It also affects the production process of essential proteins for healthy hair. All these causes lead to thinning hair, hair shedding, and slower hair growth.

Is taking supplements effective in controlling hair loss?

Yes, it is 100% effective if you face hair loss due to a specific vitamin deficiency. However, you must consult a healthcare professional to identify the main cause before starting any supplement.

Is vitamin deficiency the sole cause of hair loss?

No, it is not the sole cause; many other factors, such as hormonal changes, genetic factors, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle factors (stress and trauma), contribute to hair loss.

How long do I need to take vitamins or a balanced diet to see the results in my hair loss?

This is totally dependent from person to person; everybody is unique, and their needs vary. Only healthcare professionals can guide you regarding hair loss and vitamin deficiencies.