Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?

Dr.Meenu Malik, 3 mins read

Hair loss is not just a cosmetic issue. It can affect someone’s emotional health as well. It makes people feel less confident in themselves, as they often get trolled for this. As a result, many even isolate themselves, which triggers mental issues in them.

On top of that, hair loss is also an indication of nutritional deficiency in the body, which is further concerning from the perspective of overall health. Though genetics and ageing are the primary culprits, vitamin deficiency can disrupt the hair cycle growth, causing problems like brittle strands, excessive shedding, and thinning.

So, there is a deep link between some vitamins and hair loss. Let’s understand this link in detail so you can identify the deficiencies causing your hair woes and help restore your lush hair.
The Link Between Vitamin Deficiency and Hair Loss
We often don’t realise how much our hair depends on vitamins and nutrients. But they have a huge role in nurturing hair follicles, which leads to healthy development and function.

Many vitamins care for your hair. For example, some vitamins help in protein synthesis, which is essential for hair protein strands. B vitamins help in cellular growth and metabolism. Antioxidant vitamins protect hair cells from oxidative stress.

When the level of these vitamins drops in the body, hair follicles struggle to maintain healthy growth and functioning, which puts them at risk of shedding, thinning, slow growth, dull and dry strands, patchy hair loss, and changes in texture.

Top 5 Vitamins Important for Hair Health

• Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often associated with bone health. But studies reveal its link with hair as well. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to many hair problems, such as brittle hair, excessive shedding, thinning hair, and premature greying.

A blood test can help diagnose vitamin D levels in your body. If you have low levels of vitamin D, get more sun exposure and eat vitamin-rich foods like egg yolks, fatty fish, and fortified dairy products.

• Vitamin A

Increased daily shedding, thinning hair, and dandruff are some of the common signs of vitamin A deficiency. Like vitamin D, a blood test can help check your vitamin A level.

But the good part is that if you normalise your vitamin A level by taking prescribed supplements, vegetables and fruits (Carrots, green peppers, and sweet potatoes), and cod liver oil.

• Vitamin E

Vitamin E deficiency can manifest as progressive thinning of scalp hair and daily hair shedding. Split ends and breakage could also be an indication of vitamin E. It can also be diagnosed through a simple blood test and can be corrected with prescribed supplements and vitamin E-rich foods like almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds, and avocado. Using rosehip oil and olive oil can also be helpful.

• Vitamin C

Increased shedding, dry, splitting hair, slow growth after hair loss and brittle strands could be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Including vitamin C-rich foods like peppers, citrus foods, broccoli, and strawberries can help restore vitamin C levels.

• Folic Acid

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is helpful in cell division and growth. When the body doesn’t have enough folic acid, it hampers cell division needed for rapid cell growth. This can cause increased hair loss and slower regrowth after shedding episodes. Taking prescribed supplements and a diet rich in folic acid, like citrus fruits, beans, leafy greens, and lentils, can be very helpful.

Apart from these vitamins, you should consider vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, iron, iodine, and selenium.

Still, if the hair loss problem has stuck with you, consider consulting a licensed and certified dermatologist. Here, at Aakash Healthcare, we are offering holistic hair care so you can restore your hair shine.