Vitamin deficiencies can have many unpleasant effects on the body, including hair loss (alopecia).
“The body needs a lot of different nutrients to make hair,” says Stephanie Dunne, RDN, an integrative registered dietitian nutritionist with Nutrition Q.E.D. in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you run low on major contributors like vitamin D, vitamin B12, biotin (a B vitamin), iron, folic acid (folate), vitamin C, or zinc, you may see the effects on your scalp. gummy hair vitamins
“Often, hair loss is a symptom that something else is going on,” says Candace Spann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Las Vegas and founder of ReTress, a line of hair care products for women with thinning hair. “If you’re not feeling like yourself, get a workup to see if anything is going on underneath the surface,” she says. Your healthcare provider may recommend a blood test to measure your body's levels of vitamins and minerals.
Here are six nutrient deficiencies that often lead to hair loss.
“Vitamin D is a potent anti-inflammatory for your whole system. This is another nutrient where being chronically low can lead to hair loss,” Dr. Spann says. “Vitamin D is crucial for the support and nourishment of healthy hair follicles,” she says. Deficiency may lead to shedding or the growth of finer, thinner hair, adds Spann.
Your body will always prioritize essential functions, such as breathing and moving your muscles, over growing hair. If your iron stores are low, your lungs, muscles, and other organs will get their fill first, “and there may not be anything left over for your hair,” Spann explains.
Zinc also plays a role in thyroid function. “If your thyroid is not functioning optimally, you’ll see hair loss or thinning,” Bird says.
Your body uses many vitamins and minerals to support hair health and growth. Deficiencies in vitamin D, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin C may contribute to hair loss. However, hair loss has many potential causes, including stress, genetics, and age-related changes, so it’s best to consult your healthcare provider about causes and treatment.
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
biotin pills for hair She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).