Vitamin D and Hair Loss

We regularly remind you that what you eat is important for your hair health. We talk about foods, calories, and micronutrients. Vitamin D is a perennial topic because vitamin D affects your hair in ways that are not clearly understood.

Vitamin D is key to the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate through the intestine. Vitamin D travels through the bloodstream to the liver where some of it is converted to cholecalciferol. Cholecalciferol is also produced by the skin with the help of UV radiation, which is typically how humans get their vitamin D. However, vitamin D is so important for so many body functions, that many countries supplement foods like milk with vitamin D.

Scientists know that vitamin D plays a role in all kinds of autoimmune disorders. And we know that vitamin D receptors are clearly expressed in hair follicles and keratinocytes. So, it is not a long reach to suggest that vitamin D or its lack may play a causal role in certain types of hair loss.

There is a clinical trial, not yet recruiting, in Egypt through Assiut University that will be looking specifically at the serum levels of vitamin D in participants with androgenic alopecia or the most common form of male-pattern hair loss.

Other researchers in Egypt also have another clinical trial happening right now looking at the effects of topical cholecalciferol on alopecia areata and serum vitamin D levels compared to ultraviolet radiation. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune type of hair loss in which hair falls out in random and discrete round patches.

Another clinical trial, from 2011 at the Avera McKennon Hospital & University Health Center, also looked at the role of vitamin D in alopecia areata.

So, vitamin D is important for your hair and research is ongoing. Many people don’t get enough vitamin D, especially those at high northern latitudes where there is limited sunlight during winter months. Another point worth noting is that we may need much more vitamin D than previously thought.

When you consider micronutrients for the health of your hair, vitamin D is at the top of the list. A regular walk in the sunshine may help your hair in myriad ways: vitamin D from ultraviolet rays, exercise for blood circulation, and stress reduction. A few minutes walking in the sun is easy for anyone to incorporate into their daily routine.

Anyone suffering from sudden and significant hair loss should see his or her family doctor, but we are here for you when you’re ready to start treatment for hair loss.

If you have any questions about treatment for hair loss or any of our products, we encourage you to call us directly at (844) 280-4680.

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