Vitamin D is a critical nutrient. It bolsters our immune system and wards off illness. It is vital for bone health. Some research suggests that insufficient amounts of vitamin D contribute to depression, heart disease, and cancer. Vitamin D also plays an important role in the strength and growth of hair, and a lack of this nutrient has been linked to alopecia, also known as spot baldness.
Our primary source of vitamin D is the sun (which is why it is sometimes referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”). We can also get vitamin D from foods rich in the nutrient, such as fish, fish liver oil, eggs, and dairy, as well as through supplements.
New Study Suggests Global Vitamin D Problem
While we have known about the importance of vitamin D for a while, a new study is raising alarms about widespread vitamin D deficiency around the world. “The Big Vitamin D Mistake,” a paper by Finnish researchers, argues that current recommended levels of vitamin D are too low, and that “actions are urgently needed to protect the global population from vitamin D deficiency.”
The Vitamin D Council agrees and says that “the current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation (600-800 IU) are far too low to help the majority of individuals to reach healthy vitamin D levels. That is why we recommend supplementing with between 5,000-10,000 IU per day in order to achieve healthy vitamin D levels (40-80 ng/ml).”
Vitamin D and Hair Loss
The key to resilient, strong hair less prone to falling out lies in the follicles. When hair follicles become traumatized, damaged, or otherwise inactive, the growth of new hair stops and pattern baldness begins.
Research suggests that vitamin D, along with the receptors in the skin that bind to the nutrient, plays a significant role in promoting healthy follicles and hair growth while a lack of the vitamin may lead directly to hair loss. A 2014 study published in Molecular Endocrinology found that hair regrew in mice two weeks after introducing vitamin D receptors. Other studies also have made the connection between hair loss and vitamin D.
While we are not yet at the point where we have developed a Vitamin D-based “cure” for baldness, we are definitely at the point where we can say that healthy levels of vitamin D help promote the strength of your hair and reduce the chances of significant hair loss.
Make sure you consult with your physician before making any significant changes to your diet or your vitamin D levels, as too much vitamin D can create other health problems, such as calcium accumulation in the blood which may cause weakness or problems with the kidneys.
Whether as an adjunct to hair restoration treatments or just as part of a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet rich in key nutrients such as vitamin D can help boost hair growth in addition to improving your overall health and sense of well-being.
Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today
Of course, dietary improvements alone may not stop hair loss or restore your hair to the fullness it once had. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our skilled 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.
To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.