Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss? 

Men experience hair loss for a number of reasons, and vitamin deficiency is certainly one of them. While following a healthy and well-balanced diet will ensure you take in sufficient levels of nutrients and vitamins, some people struggle to get the recommended daily amount from the foods that they eat. With this in mind, we introduce two vitamin deficiencies that can potentially lead to hair loss and what you can do about them to achieve stronger and healthier hair.

Two nutrient deficiencies that can lead to hair loss 

There are two vitamin deficiencies that can potentially lead to hair loss. Vitamin D, which is an integral nutrient for various aspects of human health, is perhaps the leading vitamin deficiency that causes hair loss. Vitamin D enhances immunity, keeps your skin and bones healthy, and is fundamental to the growth of new hair follicles. Studies have found that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to hair loss in some men, as it inhibits your body from growing new hair follicles. Alopecia is also linked to Vitamin D deficiency, with one particular study finding that people with low levels of Vitamin D in their systems were prone to alopecia areata. The sun is one of our primary sources of Vitamin D, which is why the incidence of Vitamin D deficiency is more pronounced in the winter.

In addition to Vitamin D deficiency, a lack of Vitamin B7 – also known as biotin – can lead to hair loss. Your body needs Vitamin B7 to metabolise protein, carbohydrates, and fats, and deficiency can lead to skin problems and hair loss. This is because Vitamin B7 is integral in the growth of keratin, which is fundamental for the strength of your nails, skin, and hair, and a deficiency can affect all three in slightly different ways. However, biotin deficiency isn’t common in humans because it’s widely available in the food that we eat. What’s more, the good bacteria in the gut microbiome are capable of synthesising more B7 than the body typically needs.

How to treat hair loss caused by nutrient-deficiency 

The best way to treat hair loss that is caused by Vitamin D deficiency is to incorporate more of this important nutrient into your diet. The likes of oily fish, red meat, liver, and egg yolks are all good sources of Vitamin D, and incorporating them into your daily diet can help to boost the amount of Vitamin D in your body. Spending more time outdoors and enjoying the sunshine can also improve your Vitamin D levels.

On the other hand, if you’re Vitamin B7 deficient, you can take a biotin supplement to treat your hair loss. When used as a preventative hair loss treatment, biotin can promote healthier and stronger hair and is ideal for men with mild hair loss. Although further research is required into the efficacy of biotin as a hair loss treatment, ensuring you have sufficient levels of Vitamin B7 gives your hair, skin, and nails the best possible chance of being healthy.

If you’re experiencing hair loss and want to take steps to see positive results, you can take our free consultation for personalised treatment recommendations.

All of our blog articles are reviewed for medical accuracy by our Medical Director before publication.

Posted in: All, Biotin Journal, Hair loss