Hair Loss and Vitamin Deficiency

Hair loss and shedding are very common. Sometimes a simple change in your diet or lifestyle can help reverse hair loss and shedding. One of the most overlooked hair loss causes is linked to vitamin deficiencies. When determining the reason why your hair is coming out I recommend looking from the inside out. Most issues pertaining to hair loss begin within the body. Here are a few vitamin deficiencies that can cause hair loss:

 Vitamin D, Biotin, Zinc, B12, Selenium and Iron

When visiting your primary doctor request that they check your blood work to ensure that your Vitamin D and Iron aren’t low. Studies show that these two are linked to other health conditions including hair loss.

When you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t produce the hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin carries oxygen for the growth and repair of cells in your body, including those that stimulate hair growth.

The first sign of low iron vitamin D will be excessive shedding.

If your body isn’t producing enough this can cause your hair to be affected. Researchers believe that those that have been diagnosed with Alopecia Areata had significantly lower Vitamin C. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. Vitamin D contributes to making new hair follicles which are tiny pores on the scalp that the hair comes from. Having new hair follicles are important because it maintains the thickness of your hair and prevents future hair from falling out. The most common cause of low vitamin D is lack of sunlight or food that is rich in vitamin D. It's hard to identify symptoms of low Vitamin D because it's sometimes nonexistent but if you are concerned I would ask your doctor to run your blood.

The good news is that the hair loss or shedding due to these vitamin deficiencies are temporary and can be resolved once levels are balanced.