10 Vitamin Deficiencies That Are Linked To Hair Loss

At The Independent Pharmacy, we understand that hair loss is not just a cosmetic issue but can deeply affect your emotional well-being. While genetics and ageing are common culprits, vitamin deficiencies are a lesser-known but significant cause of thinning hair and bald patches. Discover which key vitamins play roles in healthy hair growth and how deficiencies can trigger distressing hair issues. Identifying and treating the deficiencies causing your hair woes may help restore your lush locks.

We often don’t realise just how much our hair depends on getting adequate amounts of vitamins and other nutrients. Deficiencies can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to problems like thinning, brittle strands, and excessive shedding. The good news is that hair loss from vitamin deficiency can be reversed in many cases through targeted treatment plans.

In this article, we'll help you to understand the science linking vitamin deficiencies with hair loss. You’ll learn how to spot the symptoms and get a diagnosis. We’ll also provide diet tips backed by a nutrition expert and natural remedies that, alongside medical treatments, can help get your hair back on a healthy track.

Francesca Nicholas
BSC MSC (CLIN.) MSC (PHYS.)
RNUTR PH, BDA, SCMA
Accredited nutritionist, non-diagnostic clinician, naturopath & clinical health and wellbeing, physiologist, SIBO doctor certified.

Francesca Nicholas is a Registered Nutritionist and Clinician who advises on healthy eating habits and medical conditions such as diabetes, cholesterol, and weight loss. She meets professional education standards and is accredited by the Association for Nutrition and Complementary Medical Association, as well as registered with the Associate British Dietetics Society.

The Importance of Vitamins for Hair Health

Vitamins play crucial roles in every stage of the hair growth cycle. They provide the nutrients that hair follicle cells need for healthy development and function. For example, vitamins facilitate processes like protein synthesis that are vital for producing hair protein strands. Antioxidant vitamins help protect hair cells from damaging oxidative stress. B vitamins aid cellular metabolism and growth.

You should be able to give your hair and body enough nutrients through a balanced diet. But how can your diet be connected to hair health? Francesca Nicholas, a registered nutritionist and clinician, explains:

"A healthy diet may help keep your hair shiny and strong. If you are not getting the correct nutrients from food, you may see the negative effects in your hair."

When vitamin levels dip too low, hair follicles struggle to sustain healthy hair production. Nutrient deprivation interferes with their intricate processes, putting hair at risk. Deficiencies can trigger excessive shedding, slow growth, thinning, dull and dry strands, changes in texture, and patchy hair loss. Identifying and treating any vitamin deficiencies is key for nourishing your hair back to its former glory.

The Link Between Vitamin Deficiencies and Hair Loss

Extensive scientific research demonstrates clear connections between vitamin deficiencies and hair loss issues, especially thinning and excessive shedding. Let’s explore a few key findings:

• Multiple studies reveal that low levels of vitamins D, B12, and other micronutrients are more prevalent among those with thinning hair and alopecia compared to control subjects.
• Clinical trials demonstrate that replenishing deficient vitamin levels leads to significant improvement in hair density, shedding reduction, and other markers of hair growth and health.
• Biochemical studies outline the mechanisms through which vitamin deficiencies disrupt healthy hair follicle function, development, and hair protein production.

Some of the deficiencies are more common in men than women and vice versa. So, which vitamin deficiencies might be more common for you? An accredited nutritionist and clinician, Francesca Nicholas clarifies:

The most common vitamin deficiencies in men include:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Folic acid
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Iron
• Iodine

On the other hand, women often experience deficiencies in the following vitamins:

• Vitamin B12
• Iodine
• Iron
• Vitamin D
• Calcium

In addition to hair changes, vitamin deficiencies can also cause other symptoms that may provide clues to an underlying issue. General symptoms include extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, frequent illness, muscle weakness, bone/joint pain, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, vision issues, and mood changes. Pay attention to such red flags.

If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Remember, you're not alone, and help is available.

We know this is a lot to take in, especially if you're already stressed about hair loss. The good news is that understanding the problem is the first step to finding a solution.

The 10 Vitamin Deficiencies

Hair depends on getting adequate amounts of many different vitamins. Deficiencies in the following 10 vitamins are often implicated as triggers for hair loss. Don't worry if this sounds complicated; the key takeaway is that these vitamins are essential for your hair's health:

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur. Studies have even proven that low levels of vitamin D are also responsible for premature graying. Diagnosing vitamin D deficiency involves a simple blood test to check levels.

Treatment typically involves daily vitamin D supplementation, often around 2,000-4,000 IU. However, the dosage should be personalised and confirmed by a healthcare provider to avoid toxicity or interactions with other medications. Doctors recommend rechecking levels after 3 months of treatment. Other ways to restore vitamin D levels include:

• Increasing sunshine exposure for natural vitamin D production
• Eating more vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified dairy

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2. Vitamin A

Deficiency in vitamin A can lead to noticeable thinning of hair and increased daily shedding. The regrowth period after hair loss episodes may also be prolonged. Dandruff flaking is another common symptom of low vitamin A levels. Doctors can diagnose deficiency through a blood test checking levels of vitamin A/retinol.

The good news is vitamin A deficiency can be reversed. Taking vitamin A tablets or capsules daily helps restore levels, though pregnant women should consult a doctor regarding safe dosages. Increasing vitamin A-rich orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, green peppers and dark leafy greens in the diet provides natural sources. Cod liver oil is another option for obtaining vitamin A. With treatment, the hair thinning and shedding symptoms can be reduced over time.

3. Vitamin E

Inadequate vitamin E can manifest as increased daily hair shedding and progressive thinning of scalp hair. Dry, damaged strands prone to split ends and breakage may also indicate deficiency. Doctors diagnose low vitamin E through a blood test screening levels of vitamin E/alpha-tocopherol. Low vitamin E levels most often affect people with autoimmune diseases like psoriasis or alopecia areata.

Thankfully, vitamin E deficiency can be corrected. Taking daily vitamin E supplements helps increase levels. Consuming more vitamin E-rich foods like sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocado can provide dietary sources. Applying natural oils like olive oil and rosehip oil to hair and scalp provides additional benefits. With replenished vitamin E levels, hair shedding and damage can be minimised for thicker, healthier hair.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to:

• Dry, splitting hair
• Increased shedding
• Slow regrowth after hair loss episodes
• Brittle, breaking strands

Diagnosis involves screening vitamin C/ascorbic acid levels in the blood.

Daily vitamin C supplementation can correct deficiency. Try including in your diet more vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli, and strawberries can also help restore levels. Topical vitamin C applications may provide additional benefits.

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5. Folic Acid

Folic acid, known also as vitamin B9, is important for facilitating cell division and growth. When the body has inadequate folic acid, it can impair the rapid cell division needed for the continual production of new hair by follicles. This slower cell production causes both increased hair loss and slowed regrowth after shedding episodes. Doctors can detect folic acid deficiency by testing blood levels and looking for values that could indicate that a deficiency is present.

The promising news is folic acid deficiency can be corrected through both diet and supplements. Taking a daily folic acid tablet can help restore adequate levels efficiently. Eating more folate-rich foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, and lentils can also bump up levels. With sufficient folic acid intake from these sources, healthy rapid cell division and hair follicle production are supported, nurturing optimal hair thickness and growth.

6. Biotin

Also known as vitamin B7, biotin is important for enzymatic reactions involved in amino acid and fat metabolism. Deficiency in biotin is associated with hair thinning and shedding. While supplementing with biotin may help correct an underlying deficiency, its benefits for treating hair loss in those without a deficiency are still under debate. The best sources of biotin are whole grains, eggs, nuts and seeds. Getting adequate dietary biotin can help maintain cellular processes crucial for optimal hair growth and lustre. However, you can also get a biotin supplement from providers like The Independent Pharmacy.

7. Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that plays critical roles in hair health, including enabling cell growth, protein production, hormone regulation and antioxidant protection within follicles. When zinc is deficient, these processes are impaired, often leading to thinning hair and increased shedding, known as telogen effluvium.

Strategies to correct zinc deficiency focus on increasing dietary intake of zinc-rich foods like oysters and spinach, taking the right dosage of supplemental zinc daily under medical supervision, getting blood tested to confirm deficiency, and treating any digestive issues impacting absorption. Restoring adequate zinc levels helps normalise follicle cell function to minimise shedding while supporting healthy regrowth.

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8. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays essential roles in many biochemical and enzymatic reactions in the body that affect hair health. If you're not getting enough of this important vitamin, your hair might start to thin or fall out more than usual. Doctors can diagnose a vitamin B6 deficiency through blood tests.

The good news is restoring adequate vitamin B6 levels is achievable through both diet and supplementation under medical supervision. Consuming vitamin B6-rich foods like poultry, potatoes, bananas and nuts can help normalise levels efficiently. Taking a daily vitamin B6 supplement may also be recommended. Getting sufficient vitamin B6 supports healthy enzymatic activity and protein synthesis in follicles for strong, lustrous hairs.

9. Iron

Nutritional deficiency in iron can lead to increased daily shedding of scalp hairs and stunted hair growth, resulting in progressive thinning over time. Doctors can diagnose iron deficiency through a blood test screening serum ferritin levels – readings below 30 ng/mL often indicate deficiency.

The good news is iron deficiency is treatable through both dietary and supplemental strategies. Taking iron supplements orally on a daily basis helps restore levels quickly under medical supervision. Dietary changes to increase consumption of iron-rich foods like red meat, beans, lentils, spinach, and fortified grains can provide natural plant-based and animal-based sources of this essential mineral. Iron is also commonly found in prenatal vitamins. With replenished iron levels, excessive hair shedding decreases, and healthy regrowth cycles return.

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10. Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids like omega-3s are important for nurturing a healthy scalp environment. Deficiency in these fatty acids can contribute to a dry, itchy scalp and brittle hair prone to damage. Doctors can check for essential fatty acid deficiency through blood tests that measure omega-3 levels. When the omega-3 index drops below 8%, your levels might be too low.

The positive news is this deficiency is reversible through both diet and supplementation. Taking omega-3 supplements like fish oil capsules can help raise levels efficiently. Eating more omega-3-rich foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds also provides dietary essential fatty acids. Getting adequate amounts of these essential fats supports a well-nourished, lubricated scalp to minimise hair dryness and brittleness.

Holistic Approaches to Treatment

While medical treatments like supplements and injections play important roles in addressing vitamin deficiencies, holistic and natural approaches provide complementary benefits for hair restoration. Let's explore holistic strategies to stop hair loss and nourish strands back to health.

Diet Changes

Adjusting your diet to emphasise vitamin-rich foods provides natural sources to help restore levels. A balanced, micronutrient-packed diet also supports overall hair health. Francesca Nicholas, a registered nutritionist and clinician, shares some of her key tips:

• Aim for a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, pulses, beans, proteins and healthy fats
• Aim for different colours of foods per day - think the rainbow!
• Choose whole foods over processed foods
• Drink plenty of water

When it comes to building your meals, Nicholas recommends including:

• Iron-rich foods such as spinach
• Vitamin A-containing foods such as carrots
• Protein-rich foods such as eggs, milk
• Zinc-rich foods like green peas, eggs, wheat germ, and chickpeas

We understand that it might all be a bit overwhelming, and you might not know where to get started in your new cooking adventures. So, give a go to one of the meals the nutrition expert Francesca Nicholas recommends: A grilled salmon with spinach and beetroot salad topped with sunflower seeds and lentils

Lifestyle Changes

Certain lifestyle habits can minimise hair loss and damage while optimising growth:

• Manage emotional stress through yoga, meditation, journaling
• Quit smoking, as toxins impede follicle growth
• Scalp massage to stimulate circulation
• Protect hair from sun damage with hats, gentle styling

Natural Supplements

Some naturally-derived supplements can enhance hair growth:

• Biotin gummies or drops
• Fish oil or omega-3 supplements
• Gummies with hair-healthy vitamin blends
• Topical oils like rosemary, peppermint, lavender

Using natural remedies alongside medical treatments provides a multilayered approach to restore hair vitality from within. Natural remedies can be a comforting way to take control of your hair health, but always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.

When to Consult a Healthcare Provider

If you are experiencing sudden, excessive hair shedding or loss, it’s wise to consult a doctor or dermatologist for an evaluation. Recommended signs to seek professional advice include:

• Noticeable thinning or bald patches
• Daily shedding exceeds 100-150 hairs
• You feel a painful, burning scalp sensation
• Hair loss persists despite over-the-counter remedies

Your provider can check for underlying conditions like vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, scalp infections and more. Blood work helps diagnose deficiencies. Possible treatments include supplements, medications, laser devices and procedures. Working closely with a hair loss specialist provides tailored solutions.

During your consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Diet, supplements and medications
• Family history of hair loss
• Hairstyling habits and products used
• Recent emotional or physical stressors
• Other symptoms like brittle nails or skin rashes

Remember that even though the Internet provides plenty of information, you should discuss your medical condition with your doctor to ensure that you're safe and exploring the right hair loss treatment options.

We know that taking the step to consult a healthcare provider can be daunting, but it's a crucial step in your journey to better hair health.

FAQs

Hair loss can raise so many questions and concerns. Let’s explore answers to some frequently asked questions about vitamin deficiencies and hair.

What is the best vitamin for hair loss?

There is no single “hero” vitamin for all hair loss. The best approach is to ensure you get adequate amounts of the full range of vitamins needed for healthy hair growth. Protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins are particularly important. Work with a doctor to determine if any deficiencies are present so targeted treatment can begin.

Can low B12 cause hair loss?

Yes, vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to excessive daily shedding and slow regrowth of scalp hairs. Without adequate B12, hair follicle cells cannot divide properly to facilitate new hair production. Get your B12 levels tested and supplement if low.

How much biotin should I take for hair loss?

Experts recommend 2.5-5 mg of biotin per day for hair loss. However, there is some controversy over whether high biotin doses provide added benefit, especially for non-deficient individuals. Have your doctor assess if you have a true biotin deficiency before supplementing.

Does hair loss from vitamin deficiency grow back?

In many cases, yes. Hair loss caused by vitamin deficiency is often reversible through treatment that restores adequate levels. However, prompt treatment is important to minimise permanent follicle damage that could inhibit regrowth. Work closely with your doctor for oversight.

We hope these answers provide some relief and guidance. Remember, every individual is different, and it's okay to seek help.

Conclusion

Hair loss stemming from vitamin deficiency is more common than we think. Identifying deficiencies early and beginning targeted treatment provides the best chance of reviving hair growth and minimising long-term damage. While medical interventions are crucial, integrating naturally balanced diet and lifestyle changes creates a holistic approach. You're not alone in this journey, and there's help available to guide you towards healthier, fuller hair.