Nature vs. nurture. While people may debate the role each of those plays in what makes us the individuals we are, there is no doubt that both nature and nurture contribute to hair loss. The genes we are born with have an oversized impact on whether we will have a healthy, full head of hair for most of our lives or whether we will start to notice signs of hair loss when we’re younger. But nurture – how we take care of ourselves and our bodies – also can contribute to the health or weakness of our hair follicles.
If we don’t get essential vitamins in minerals in sufficient amounts, it can lead to a whole range of health problems. Our immune systems suffer, making us more vulnerable to illness. Our bones can weaken, making us more prone to injury. And our hair follicles can become fragile, break, and die.
A healthy, balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can help boost hair growth in addition to improving your overall health and sense of well-being. Recently, a comprehensive study of the role that vitamins and minerals play in alopecia – pattern hair loss – is confirming that what we put into our bodies can affect what is on top of our heads.
Published in December 2018, the study put it quite plainly: “Vitamins and minerals are important for normal cell growth and function and may contribute to hair loss when they are deficient.”
The researchers found that the two of the most common types of hair loss – androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium – can be slowed or reduced by ensuring sufficient intake of certain vitamins and minerals. Specifically:
- Supplementing the diet with low levels of vitamin D can improve symptoms of these hair loss conditions;
- If a person with androgenetic alopecia or telogen effluvium has low iron levels (more commonly seen in females), they should supplement their diet with vitamin D;
- Iron-deficient patients should also ensure their vitamin C intake is adequate.
Deficiency of these micronutrients can be what the researchers call “a modifiable risk factor associated with the development, prevention, and treatment of alopecia.”
Schedule an Appointment Today at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute
Of course, dietary improvements and sufficient vitamin and mineral intake alone may not stop hair loss or restore your hair to its robust, youthful appearance. But at the Miami Hair & Skin Institute, our world-renowned physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering from hair loss regain their hair and their confidence.
To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.