Can Vitamin D Supplements Help Hair Growth

Definition
- What Is Vitamin D?
Benefits
- What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?
Balding Treatment
- Does Vitamin D Help with Hair Thinning?
Diet
- What Are Good Sources of Vitamin D?
Guide
- Does Vitamin D Help with Hair Thinning? Topic Guide

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is essential for cell reproduction in the hair and skin, and also benefits the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency contributes to hair loss in some cases.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb dietary calcium and phosphorus from the intestines and suppresses the release of parathyroid hormone, a hormone that causes bone resorption. This serves to keep the bones healthy. Vitamin D is also believed to improve muscle and immune function.

Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is also naturally occurring in certain foods such as fatty fish, cod liver oil, and eggs. It is also found on fortified foods such as milk.

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?

Health benefits of vitamin D include:

Strong bones
Prevention of falls
Supports immune function
Reduces inflammation
May help protect against some cancers such as colon, prostate, and breast cancers
May help prevent and treat:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Glucose intolerance
- Multiple sclerosis

Does Vitamin D Help with Hair Thinning?

Getting adequate vitamin D intake or supplementation may help prevent hair loss.

Vitamin D may be important for cell proliferation in the hair growth cycle
Vitamin D may reduce inflammation, which may also help keep hair follicles healthy
Vitamin D helps support immune function which can protect the scalp from infection

Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to hair loss in some cases. Talk to your doctor about the right dose for your condition.

What Are Good Sources of Vitamin D?

Foods that are good sources of vitamin D include:

Seafood
- Trout
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Tuna
Meat and poultry
- Beef liver
- Chicken breast
- Ground beef
Vegetables
- Mushrooms (white and Portabella)
Dairy products
- Milk, vitamin D fortified
- Cheddar cheese
Other
- Cod liver oil
- Plant-based milks (e.g. soy, almond, oat), vitamin D fortified
- Eggs
- Ready-to-eat cereals, vitamin D fortified

Exposure to sunlight is also another source for vitamin D but too much sun exposure can lead to sunburns, premature skin aging, eye damage, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, or skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about how much sun exposure you may need and how to get exposure safely.

QUESTION

It is normal to lose 100-150 hairs per day. See Answer

Reviewed on 8/31/2020

References

Medscape Medical Reference

Can Vitamin D Supplements Help Hair Growth

Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/does_vitamin_d_help_with_hair_thinning/article_em.htm

Can Vitamin D Supplements Help Hair Growth