Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?
While many other variables may be involved, vitamin shortages are one probable cause of hair loss. Vitamins are crucial for the development of hair follicles. It is crucial to understand what and how specific vitamin shortages can impede hair development. This article discusses the vitamins that promote hair growth and how a deficiency in some of them may result in hair loss.
What is Vitamin Deficiency?
Vitamin deficiency is a problem that develops when your body does not get enough of a specific vitamin to operate properly. Vitamins are micronutrients that are crucial for many biochemical processes, including metabolism, immune system function, tissue repair, and hair growth. Your body might be unable to carry out these tasks correctly if you are vitamin deficient. You may eventually experience a number of symptoms and health issues, including hair loss.
What Causes Vitamin Deficiencies?
Vitamin deficits can be caused by a number of things. Among the significant ones are the following:
Vitamin deficits can result from eating a diet that is deficient in vitamins. Vegans and vegetarians who do not acquire enough vitamin B12 or iron from plant-based sources are especially prone to this.
Your body's capacity to effectively absorb vitamins can be hampered by a number of digestive issues, including pancreatic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease.
Your body needs more vitamins than usual throughout particular life phases, such as pregnancy, lactation, or the healing process after an illness. Deficiencies may result if the demand is not met in a timely manner.
When you are suffering from pernicious anemia1, your immune system begins targeting the cells in your stomach that make a substance necessary for absorbing vitamin B12. You'll become vitamin B12 deficient as a result.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)2, among other medications, can interfere with your body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals.
Smoking and alcoholism can have a negative effect on how well your body absorbs and uses vitamins.
What Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Hair Loss?
Vitamin deficiencies signify a modifiable risk factor for alopecia, which means that if you address this risk factor, you can treat or prevent hair loss3. Below is a list of vitamins that, when in deficit, contribute to hair loss:
Vitamin B7 Deficiency4
The water-soluble vitamin biotin, sometimes referred to as vitamin B7, is a compound that has been shown to promote hair development.This vitamin for hair helps your body create keratin, a vital structural protein that helps to create the structure of your hair and nails. Your hair can become stronger, healthier, and less prone to breakage and hair loss thanks to biotin's ability to produce keratin. Additionally, this protein increases hair flexibility and aids in the formation of healthy hair follicles. A biotin deficit can cause hair loss and weak, fragile hair.
Vitamin D Deficiency5
For a person to grow healthy hair, vitamin D is necessary. This fat-soluble vitamin aids in the activation of genes necessary for the growth of hair follicles. Vitamin D promotes thicker, fuller hair by accelerating the growth of new hair follicles. A review of the scientific literature demonstrates another way that vitamin D promotes hair development. Lack of solar exposure or insufficient consumption of a diet high in vitamin D can both cause vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency can cause hair thinning, hair loss, and inhibited hair growth.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency6
Red blood cells, which supply oxygen to your body's tissues, including your scalp and hair follicles, aid in the production of vitamin B12, which encourages hair development. This vitamin deficiency can impair hair growth and result in thinning or patchy hair. Lack of consumption of foods high in vitamin B12, inadequate absorption, and certain medical disorders are some factors that contribute to vitamin B12 insufficiency. The majority of foods high in vitamin B12 come from animals, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy goods. As a result, persons who consume a vegan diet are more likely to become B12 deficient.
Vitamin C Deficiency7
The following methods are the main ways that vitamin C, commonly known as ascorbic acid, promotes hair growth by boosting the body's organic collagen production, enhancing cellular uptake of iron, using its antioxidant qualities to protect hair from oxidative damage, and boosting the production of sebum, an emollient that keeps the scalp and hair hydrated. Your hair will become weak, brittle, and prone to breaking if you don't consume enough vitamin C. Additionally, less oil production can make your scalp dry and more prone to dandruff, which will promote hair loss.
Vitamin E Deficiency8
Antioxidant vitamin E aids in guarding against harm to hair follicles. Additionally, it aids in directing blood flow to the scalp, encouraging healthy hair development. Hair loss and thinning can result from a vitamin E deficiency.
Vitamin A Deficiency9
Your skin and hair are affected by vitamin A in a dose-dependent manner, so taking too much or too little of it might be hazardous. There are various ways that vitamin A encourages hair development, but the majority involve sebum, which maintains your scalp and hair hydrated and prevents breakage. The growth and development of hair follicles depend heavily on sebum. Your hair follicles become frail and brittle when you don't have enough vitamin A, which causes hair loss. Additionally, it may result in the scalp becoming dry and flaky, which will only accelerate hair loss. This is because an itchy, dry scalp can promote irritation, harm hair follicles, and prevent hair from growing.
How Can I Fix a Vitamin Deficiency?
The exact vitamin that is deficient and how severe it is determines the course of treatment. Here are a few standard methods for treating a vitamin deficiency:
Modify your diet. Increase your consumption of foods high in vitamins you may be lacking to treat moderate deficiencies. For instance, you can increase your intake of citrus fruits, tomatoes, and peppers if you suffer from a vitamin C deficit.
Take dietary supplements. If your nutritional deficiency is more severe or if changing your diet doesn't help, you may need to take a supplement. There are several ways to provide supplements, including liquids, tablets, and capsules.
Take vitamin injections. Injections may be necessary for some vitamin deficits, such as severe B12 insufficiency. These injections can be administered by your healthcare professional.
Take care of the root cause. If you have a vitamin deficiency due to an underlying medical problem, treating that condition will help you recover.
In conclusion, if your hair loss is due to a vitamin deficiency, taking the necessary steps to ensure that your body is no longer in deficit is essential. However, keep in mind, excessive consumption of vitamin A pills can result in hair loss and other health issues, just as not getting enough vitamins can cause hair loss. Hence, it is crucial to maintain a balanced, healthy diet that offers all the required nutrients in the proper proportions. If you are still struggling with hair loss despite ensuring that your diet is healthy and balanced, consider using Regaine®, which includes a wide range of hair loss and hair regrowth products for both, men and women. Regaine® products are clinically and scientifically tested with active ingredients that guarantee the best results.