The food you put into your body is just as important as the things you do to maintain your appearance on the outside. It’s widely known that being deficient in certain vitamins can impact your overall health, but did you know they can also impact your hair health too? Lacking certain vitamins can, in some cases, cause hair loss. In this helpful guide, we discuss the vitamins you should try to include in your diet to combat this and offer some solutions to reversing hair loss damage already done.
Can vitamin D deficiency cause hair loss?
One vitamin deficiency that has been linked to hair loss is vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in our diets, from oily fish, eggs and dairy products. It’s also created as a hormone in our bodies through exposure to sunlight. Without sufficient amounts of it, the skin cells cannot process keratin, a protein found in hair. This means there is less regulation of the hair growth cycle.
A recent study from the International Journal of Trichology found that women are more prone to be deficient in this vitamin which could be one of the causes of female hair loss.
It’s important to remember, if you believe yourself to be deficient in vitamin D, there’s an easy fix which is taking a supplement. These are available over the counter and may be especially useful during the colder months, when access to natural sunlight is limited in the UK.
Trying to increase your vitamin D levels will improve your overall health because it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body which is needed to keep your bones and muscles healthy. In terms of your hair, it also keeps your hair growth cycle healthy.
What about vitamin C deficiency and hair loss?
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin found in our diets. It helps support healthy bodily functions and is linked to collagen production in the skin. In general, lacking vitamin C for a short while in your diet may not be linked to hair loss. In fact, there is a myth suggesting that it helps promote hair growth which is not necessarily true.
However, prolonged deficiency could cause several issues for your hair. Vitamin C is vital for the absorption of other vitamins such as iron which is needed for growth and development in the body.
Look for foods that are rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables including broccoli or cauliflower, to help with the absorption of iron. If you don’t enjoy these food types, try and incorporate supplements into your daily routine to get the vitamins you need.
Other vitamin deficiencies linked to hair loss
Vitamin B7
Another water soluble vitamin which is usually referred to as B7 or biotin. Previously, a B7 deficiency has been linked to thinning hair and has long been used as treatment for hair loss.
Iron
The body needs iron for growth and development. Iron is a leading cause of women’s hair loss because it is more likely to be deficient in women who menstruate and during pregnancy.
Seeking treatment for hair loss
Even with the right diet and vitamins, you may still experience hair loss. Sometimes, hair loss can be caused by factors that are beyond our control, such as genetics. At Crown Clinic, we’ve treated a range of patients who have experienced hair loss. If you are worried about your hair loss, we are here to help.
We offer a range of hair loss treatments, including FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). The treatment we recommend will depend on the type of hair loss you are experiencing.
As everyone’s experience of hair loss is different, it is important that we discuss your options during a consultation. Here we can also tell you about the vitamins you might be missing and what treatment is the best option. Contact us to arrange your consultation at our Manchester or London clinic.
Your consultation will be led by Dr. Shahmalak. He founded Crown Clinic in 2007 and is renowned as an expert when it comes to hair loss treatments and transplants. He has provided lots of treatments to many different patients, including Jack P Shepherd and Calum Best.