Healthy, strong hair is a beauty standard for most people. A vitamin deficiency, however, can contribute to hair loss and other hair problems. Vitamin D in particular is one of the most important vitamins for healthy hair. The consequences of hair loss are often a strong feeling of discomfort and reduced self-confidence. In this post we tell you what effect vitamin D has on hair and what can help if you have a vitamin D deficiency.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for the human body, which in its activated form is also known as calciferol. There is hardly any of this vitamin in food, and our body instead produces it through sunlight.
Vitamin D is especially important for you because it regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphate and supports their absorption through the gut. Vitamin D is also indispensable for your hormone balance, your bone health and the function of your cells. In short: vitamin D is indispensable for your body!
Causes of a vitamin D deficiency
Since humans produce vitamin D mainly through the radiation of the sun, a vitamin D deficiency is rarely the result of malnutrition. Still, there are foods through which you can take in vitamin D, such as:
• oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring
• cod liver oil or fish oil
• egg yolk
• edible mushrooms
There are also a number of fortified foods such as margarine. However, the amount of vitamin D taken in through a conventional diet is not enough to cover human needs.
That is why your body needs to produce vitamin D itself through sun exposure. Depending on your geographic location and the season, though, this can be very difficult. That is why most people suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, especially in autumn and winter. In summer, by contrast, the vitamin deficiency often does not show.
Some people are also more prone to a vitamin D deficiency than others. Factors such as skin type, clothing, time spent outdoors and the use of sunscreen also play a role in the production of the vitamin. People who hardly spend any time outdoors during the day are particularly at risk.
Vitamin D deficiency & hair loss: is there a connection?
Calcitriol has a positive effect on the immune system and is therefore said to help prevent autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata. But that is not all: vitamin D is generally said to keep hair follicles healthy. However, if there is not enough calcitriol in the body because of a vitamin D deficiency, those affected have to deal with the following effects:
• Hair loss
• weakened hair growth
• thinning of the hair
Vitamin D also plays a big role in the natural hair cycle. Hair growth is divided into several phases: the growth phase, the transition phase and the resting phase. If the body lacks the vitamin, however, the cycle is disrupted and there are negative effects on the hair.
Other symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency
Hair loss and other hair problems are not the only consequences of a vitamin D deficiency. Muscle and bone pain as well as weakness or fatigue are also not uncommon. Since people with a vitamin D deficiency also have a low calcium level in their blood, cramps are very common too. Another symptom is brittle nails, and some of those affected develop low moods.
How to recognise a vitamin deficiency
Of course, the symptoms mentioned can also have other causes. Some people, for example, are genetically predisposed to hair loss. Stress is also a common cause of heavy hair loss. So how can you reliably tell that your hair loss comes from a vitamin D deficiency and not from other causes?
To be on the safe side, a blood test by your GP is recommended: under normal circumstances, your vitamin D level should be 20-50 ng/ml. If it is below 20 ng/ml, it is called a vitamin D deficiency. Your doctor will advise you to take appropriate measures.
Addressing hair loss caused by a vitamin D deficiency
If you are losing hair because of a vitamin D deficiency, the way forward is clear: the vitamin deficiency needs to be balanced out. High-quality food supplements are the best option for this. Taken regularly, they can help make up your vitamin shortfall and may support your hair growth.
The basic micronutrient supply called Daily Complete from frank. gives you a range of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements, amino acids and many other compounds for a normal metabolism. Alongside high-quality vitamin D, you will find nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and zinc. That way you not only work on your hair loss, but also strengthen your whole body at the same time.
More nutrients for fuller hair
A vitamin D deficiency is not the only thing that can lead to hair loss. There are also other vitamins and nutrients involved in hair health. If your body lacks these nutrients, hair loss can therefore also set in.
• Vitamin A: This nutrient supports the fat synthesis of the hair follicles. That means the vitamin keeps sebum production going and protects your hair from drying out. A vitamin A deficiency also often leads to hair loss.
• B vitamins: B vitamins are also important for your hair. A vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, can also harm your hair. B vitamins also include biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, and vitamin B6. They are said to regulate sebum production and help prevent inflammation on the scalp.
• Vitamin C: Did you know that a vitamin C deficiency can also weaken your hair? It is important for the formation of collagen, the structural protein for healthy hair, nails and skin. If hair lacks collagen, it quickly becomes brittle and prone to damage.
• Vitamin E: A vitamin E deficiency damages the protective barrier of your hair. The hair quickly becomes brittle and damaged.
• Minerals: Minerals whose deficiency can lead to hair loss include zinc, silicon and copper. Iron also supports healthy hair growth. After all, this mineral is needed to transport oxygen into the cells, which in turn are involved in forming healthy hair follicles.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: They have an anti-inflammatory effect and help your scalp retain moisture. Since inflammation can weaken your hair follicles and dryness makes your hair brittle, omega-3 fatty acids are just as indispensable.
In general, a balance of nutrients in the body is important for hair health. Some vitamins support the absorption of minerals and vice versa. If you want to support your hair effectively, the products from frank are ideal for you. In our cleanses we always combine nutrients that complement each other beautifully, for an optimal result.
Conclusion: vitamin D deficiency as a common factor in hair loss
If you suffer from a nutrient deficiency, it can quickly show in your hair. One of the most common factors in hair loss is a vitamin D deficiency. But other vitamins and minerals are also considered important for hair health. If you make up shortfalls with a balanced diet and the products from frank., you may soon enjoy strong, healthy hair. With frank. you can support your hair from the root.
