Nutrition plays a very important role in many areas of our lives. Vitamins and minerals help us have better heart health, stronger bones and higher energy levels. You may know this, but did you know that vitamin deficiency is also linked to hair loss?
This is true! Studies show Deficiency of some vitamins and minerals can cause hair loss. So which ones are we talking about? Read on as we discuss the mineral and vitamin deficiencies that cause hair loss and offer you some solutions.
Why Are Vitamins and Minerals Important for Hair?
If you want to learn how to effectively stop hair loss, you must first understand the importance of nutrients for the health of your hair. Vitamins and minerals nourish the structure of your hair follicles, helping them stay young and healthy. Without these nutrients, your hair follicles are more prone to damage and dysfunction.
Vitamin deficiency can also become a risk factor for alopecia and cause hair loss. What’s even more surprising is that excess of some vitamins can also cause hair loss! However, nutrient deficiency is more likely. So that’s what we’re going to discuss here.
food and Vitamin Deficiencies that Cause Hair Loss
This recommended intake of vitamins It varies according to the age, gender and type of food of the person. Some vitamin deficiencies can lead to headaches, fatigue, anxiety and even depression. The following nutritional and vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss in both men and women.
1. Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble nutrient essential for healthy skin and hair. Helps healthy hair growth improve blood circulationThis helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Niacin deficiency causes poor circulation, making your follicles malnourished and unable to function properly.
Studies have shown that Vitamin B3 deficiency It can cause hair loss in the form of diffuse alopecia. Niacin deficiency is also known to cause a condition known as pellagra, which is characterized by dermatitis or skin inflammation. The dermatitis in pellagra is most prominent on sun-exposed areas such as the face and scalp. An inflamed scalp can damage hair follicles over time, causing hair loss.
Niacin Sources
- yeast (bread)
- Meat
- grains
- legumes
- seeds
2. Biotin
Another vitamin deficiency that causes hair loss is biotin or vitamin B7. Similar to niacin, biotin is found in many hair and skin products. It is required for a variety of cell processes, including protein and fat synthesis and cell replication. Protein and fat are essential macronutrients that help maintain healthy skin and, as a direct extension, healthy hair.
biotin deficiency It is well documented to cause many dermatological problems, including seborrheic dermatitis (a common cause of dandruff) and alopecia. The hair loss seen in this vitamin deficiency can be patchy or severe enough to cover large parts of the scalp and other parts of the body.
Biotin Sources
- various plants
- Liver
- Egg yolk
- soybean
- yeast (bread)
3. Vitamin C
Not many people know that vitamin C deficiency causes hair loss. However, this vitamin has a surprising link with hair loss.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects your hair follicles from free radical damage. increase iron absorption. As we will explain later, iron is essential for hair growth. Vitamin C deficiency lowers your iron levels, causing hair loss. It also aids in zinc absorption and aids in collagen production. Collagen helps give you healthier hair.
Vitamin C Sources
You can find vitamin C in the following foods:
- Broccoli
- Potatoes
- Citrus
- green pepper
- Strawberries
- Brussels sprouts
4. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for immunity, bone strength, cell growth and mental well-being. This vitamin does it all while being one of the most common vitamin deficiencies in Americans. Vitamin D It is also thought to play an important role in modulating the hair cycle, and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of hair loss.
Vitamin D Sources
Some of the best foods for hair growth and thickness that contain vitamin D include:
- Liver
- oily fish
- Red meat
- Egg yolk
- Fortified foods such as milk and cereals
5. Iron
Let’s talk about mineral deficiencies that cause hair loss, starting with vitamins. One of the most critical minerals required for hair health is iron. Iron forms hemoglobin, which helps deliver oxygen to different cells. Your cells need this oxygen to produce energy.
When you don’t have enough iron in your blood, your body goes into survival mode. This means that hemoglobin provides only oxygen and nutrients to vital organs. Unfortunately, hair follicles are not one of them. iron deficiency It is a risk factor for female pattern hair loss, especially in older women.
Iron Resources
You can increase your iron levels by consuming the following foods:
- Liver
- Bean
- Red meat
- dried fruits
- enriched bread
- Nuts and seeds
6. Zinc
Zinc is among the most important mineral and vitamin deficiencies that cause hair loss. It is also one of the most well known. You’ve probably heard of the link between low zinc levels and baldness.
Zinc aids the immune system, metabolism, and hormone regulation. It can also help prevent hair loss by maintaining balanced hormone levels in your body, among other important biological processes.
Zinc It is known to play an important role in maintaining the health and function of hair follicles, preventing follicle miniaturization and promoting growth. clinical studies also showed a clear relationship between zinc deficiency and hair loss.
Zinc Sources
Zinc-rich foods include:
- Eggs
- Meat
- Peanut
- shellfish
- legumes
- whole grains
7. Selenium
Selenium is another vital nutrient on our list of mineral and vitamin deficiencies that cause hair loss. Healthy metabolism and a functioning immune system are not possible without this nutrient. Selenium also plays an important role in the development of the hair follicle by regulating hormone levels and synthesizing thyroid hormones.
Selenium deficiency has been associated with poor hair growth. animal studiesAnd that may apply to humans as well. However, too much selenium or selenium toxicity can actually cause hair loss, in addition to other serious health effects. Therefore, it is important to be careful when taking dietary supplements containing selenium.
Selenium Sources
You can get the necessary selenium levels from the following sources:
- ham
- sea products
- brazil nuts
- brown rice
- offal
- Haricot bean
How to Get More Vitamins
Vitamin deficiency and hair loss are not the end of the world. With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can replenish your vitamin levels and enjoy fuller hair. Here are some ways to get more nutrients.
Have a Balanced Diet
A healthy and balanced diet is the best way to eliminate mineral and vitamin deficiencies that cause hair loss. Eat a rich combination of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein to get all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids your body needs.
Get Supplements
If you can’t get enough vitamins and minerals from food, you can try supplements. The best supplements for hair loss prevention address these nutrient deficiencies to help you achieve healthier hair.
Choose Fortified Foods
Many foods in the United States are fortified with minerals or vitamins. If you’re worried about vitamin deficiencies causing hair loss or other medical problems, pay attention to these labels.
For example, corn products are naturally low in niacin (B3) but are often fortified with the vitamin during processing. Vitamin D is also added during processing of raw milk, and iodide is added to the salt to prevent thyroid problems.
Get out
Although vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss, your own body can make vitamin D when exposed to UV rays from sunlight. If you’re trying to get more vitamin D from diet alone, you can soak up some rays. Just be careful not to stay unprotected in the sun for more than 20 minutes.
Regrow Hair with LaserCap
Here it is: the most common vitamin and mineral deficiencies that cause hair loss. Fortunately, most cases of hair loss triggered by nutrient deficiencies are treatable. Once you identify the nutrient causing hair loss, you can increase your intake to restore your hair. If you are not seeing satisfactory results with increased food consumption, Original LaserCap can help.
LaserCap is an FDA-approved low-level laser therapy (LLLT) device clinically proven to reverse hair loss. The device’s prescription-strength red laser light energizes hair follicle cells and increases blood flow to the scalp, providing the follicles with all the energy and nutrients they need to produce healthy hair. When used as directed, you can grow fuller hair within four to six months of starting treatment.
Get your LaserCap today to restore your hair with the regenerative power of light!