Are nutrients deficiency and hair loss linked?
Hair loss causes are multiple; from genetics and emotional trauma to autoimmune diseases and hormonal imbalance, many factors can lead to baldness. However, one of them is nutrient deficiency is a very prevalent one.
Hair needs a proper amount of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins to grow healthy. All those component comes with the food we eat. A bad diet leads to bad hair, as this part of our body is very sensitive to changes and imbalance.
Many studies linked a poor diet with improper nutrient intake with chronic telogen effluvium (a condition involving massive hair loss), alopecia areata, and some cases of androgenic alopecia.
Nutrient deficiency hair loss is prevalent in females.
This type of hair loss is reversible, and diet changes most often solve the problem.
Nutrients deficiency and hair loss: what nutrient does the hair need?
- Iron
Many people lack iron, and this deficiency often results in hair loss.
Iron is essential to hair because it plays a crucial role in blood oxygen-carrying. Without a proper amount of iron in the body, blood oxygenation decrease, causing various problems, including hair loss. Without enough oxygen, the hair follicles cannot grow hair; they enter a rest phase, leading to hair loss.
- Zinc
Zinc plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, and hair follicles mainly need protein to produce hair. Zinc deficiency often causes telogen effluvium.
- Fatty acids
Fatty acids are crucial for our body: Omega 3 and 6 reduce inflammation. Fatty acid deficiency leads to hair loss, hair thinning, eyebrows, and eyelashes loss.
- Niacin
Niacin is also known as vitamin B3 and is an essential component in the hair growth process as it helps with blood circulation, hair follicles oxygenation, and energy. Niacin deficiency may be severe because it can cause dementia. Other less extreme conditions are linked with niacin deficiency, such as diarrhea and alopecia.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential to boost immunity, increase cell growth, and improve bones’ resistance and skin glow. Hair follicles are also dependent on vitamin D to produce strong hair.
Without enough vitamin D, inflammatory response reduce hair growth. In extreme cases, it may lead to alopecia areata and alopecia universalis.
- Selenium
This trace mineral is essential to the body. It plays a significant role in hair growth, maintaining hormonal balance, and enhancing metabolic functioning.
- Vitamin E
This vitamin has antioxidant properties. It helps to face the oxidative effects of stress that damage cells and stem cells. Hair follicles cells are sensitive to stress, so vitamin E is essential to keep them healthy and well-functioning.
It also has a significant role in blood oxygenation and vascular circulation.
- Vitamin A
This vitamin is essential for healthy teeth, bones, and skin. It also activates hair follicles stem cells. Vitamin A is a component of sebum production; this oily substance moisturizes the skin, including the scalp and the hair.
- Biotin
Also known as vitamin B7, it helps with keratin production, the protein composing hair.
- Folic acid
Folic acid plays a crucial role in keeping red blood cells well-functioning and healthy. It is also vital for hair, nail, and skin cell growth.
- Antioxidants
Zinc, vitamin A, C, and E, as well as selenium, are antioxidants. These compounds counter oxidative and stress-linked damage. Hair loss is often linked with stress damages, so to have luxurious hair, better to have a proper antioxidant intake every day.
Fresh foods (fruits and vegetables) offer better absorption than supplements.
- Proteins and Amino acids
Amino acids play a crucial role in hormone regulation, food breakdown, immune health, hair growth, and tissue repair.
Not consuming enough protein leads to hair thinning, hair loss, and baldness.
Nutrients deficiency and hair loss: conclusion
Supplements specially formulated for hair health and growth are helpful to ensure a proper daily intake, as nutrients deficiency and hair loss are linked. However, as with everything, the excess is harmful.
Better seek medical advice in prolonged hair loss to diagnose the cause and treat it appropriately.
