Vitamin D Deficiency & Hair Loss – What’s the Connection?

If you’ve seen recent hair loss, you may wonder what the cause is. Is it your way of life? Do you employ hot tools excessively? Do you frequently style your hair in buns, updos, and ponytails? Or you’re lacking in vitamin D, which results in Hair loss.

We’re here to discuss that final point since vitamin shortages are the most likely cause of genuine hair loss, even though all of the reasons above might stress the hair.

Of course, the vitamins—or lack thereof—that cause loss may not be as apparent as you may assume. After all, the answer isn’t always biotin. Instead, a lack of vitamin D may be at fault. It’s not always clear-cut, though.

A vital substance called vitamin D is involved in numerous bodily processes. A lack of vitamin D can result in various issues, including hair loss.

This article examines the relationship between vitamin D & hair loss, whether a deficit results in hair loss, and whether it can be reversed.

An Overview

An essential nutrient vital to our health is vitamin D. It improves immunity, maintains healthy skin and bones, encourages cell growth, and aids in developing new hair follicles. Vitamin D is typically absorbed through sun exposure, but you can increase your intake by taking dietary supplements and eating specific foods.

When your body doesn’t get enough Vitamin D, it can cause various symptoms, like hair loss. Alopecia, commonly known as spot baldness, and several other medical disorders have been connected to vitamin D deficiency [1]. These include osteoarthritis, low bone mass, cancer, heart disease, and heart softening.

You should consume 15 micrograms (mcg) or 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily. 400 IU of vitamin D should be given to infants under one year old. For those above 70, the advised intake increases to 800 IU (or 20 mcg). Ask your doctor about having your vitamin D levels checked if you have any concerns about your vitamin D intake. By consuming the recommended vitamin D daily, you can support healthy bone development, appropriate calcium absorption, and hair growth [2].

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?

There is some proof that a vitamin D shortage might result in hair loss and other issues with the hair. When the body lacks vitamin D, the hair may suffer since it stimulates the growth of hair follicles [3].

Also, alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder resulting in patchy hair loss, may be associated with a vitamin D deficit. According to research, those with alopecia areata have much lower vitamin D levels than those without [4].

Lack of vitamin D may contribute to hair loss in persons who do not have alopecia. According to additional studies, women with various hair loss types also have lower vitamin D levels. Reasons for insufficient vitamin D levels include:

• Spending more time indoors.
• Wearing a lot of sunscreens.
• Not eating foods packed with nutrients.

Other Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

A vitamin D shortage might cause people to experience no symptoms or symptoms that are vague and change over time.

Vitamin D insufficiency signs include:

• mood swings, such as melancholy or anxiety
• frequent fractures
• poor wound healing
• bone density loss
• muscle wasting
• worsened hypertension
• chronic pain
• constant fatigue
• infertility
• shorter endurance

The most frequent reasons for a vitamin D deficit are a lack of sunlight or consuming insufficient amounts of foods high in vitamin D.

However, other underlying conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, which prevent the body from adequately absorbing nutrients, may cause vitamin D shortages in some people [5].

People who have an underlying medical condition will also exhibit symptoms of a vitamin D shortage in addition to those of the primary cause.

Some drugs may also break down Vitamin D before the body can utilize it. Pharmaceuticals that could result in a vitamin D shortage include [6]:

• antifungals
• glucocorticoids
• medications for HIV
• anticonvulsants

A person should talk to their doctor about possible alternatives if a medicine results in a vitamin D deficit or hair loss.

Vitamin D Deficiency & Hair Loss Treatments

Vitamin D Supplements

Only 400 IU of vitamin D is commonly present in multivitamins, less than the advised daily amount. Additionally, you ought to include vitamin D in your diet. Your doctor can examine your blood for vitamin D levels and determine how much supplementation is needed. Your doctor can advise hefty prescription doses if the levels are deficient.

To ensure that your body can adequately absorb the fat-soluble vitamin, take the supplement with food. Babies who are breastfed get their nourishment from their mothers’ milk. A nursing mother’s infant will probably require a vitamin D supplement if she doesn’t consume enough vitamin D in her diet.

Sun Exposure

The majority of people obtain the majority of their vitamin D via sunbathing. Your exposure to the sun is lowered if you don’t spend enough time outside or use too much sunscreen; this might result in a vitamin D deficiency. If you can, spend a sunny day giving your area a 15-minute tour. The balance between shielding our skin from the sun and getting vitamin D is delicate. If you can’t spend much time in the sun, attempt to spend more time next to a window that has sunshine coming in.

Vitamin D Enriched Foods

Your levels can be raised by following a balanced diet rich in natural vitamin D-rich foods or supplemented with it. Some foods already have nutrients in high amounts.

Good sources of dietary fat include:

• avocado
• eggs
• chia seeds
• some fish, including salmon, trout, and sardines
• nuts
• cheese

In actuality, one tablespoon of cod liver oil contains 340 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D [7].

However; there are food items that have been fortified with vitamin D, including some cereals, milk, and orange juice. But if you adopt a vegan or vegetarian diet, you could require supplements because those diets frequently fall short on vitamin D.

Prevention

Spending 15 to 20 minutes outside each day and consuming foods high in vitamin D are a person’s first line of defense against hair loss brought on by a vitamin D deficiency.

To complement their goals for vitamin D intake, a person may also want to include a vitamin D supplement in their routine.

Anyone who is experiencing hair loss can avoid additional breaking by:

• avoiding ponytails
• not tugging the hair when brushing
• using a gentle and natural conditioner
• putting a long hair in a loose braid before bed to prevent tangling

The Takeaway

Even while hair loss is frequent, it sometimes feels unnatural. Fortunately, supplementing with vitamins and minerals can help with this issue. Patients experiencing hair loss frequently ask whether nutritional supplements might promote new hair growth or stop existing hair loss. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause hair loss since they are necessary for healthy cell growth and function.

Numerous facets of a person’s health and well-being, including hair development, are influenced by vitamin D. People who are vitamin D deficient are more likely to suffer from hair loss and other issues.

Consult your doctor if you have concerns about vitamin D deficiency-related hair loss. Your doctor may advise taking supplements, making dietary adjustments, and getting more sun exposure to help you overcome the shortfall.

Stop waiting. The sooner you address hair loss problems, the more likely you will avoid permanent harm. To get started on your path to a head of hair with more volume, go to a medical practitioner immediately.

References

1. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h5
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h4
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20178699
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23428658/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4077052/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3427195/
7. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h4

If you have a vitamin D deficiency or wish to avoid it, schedule a session with Tradena N. Rayner, MS, RDN, CDN, the Weight Inclusive Dietitian today.