Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is vital to our health. It stimulates cell
growth, boosts immunity, and keeps bones strong and skin healthy. Vitamin D is primarily absorbed through sun exposure, but certain foods and dietary supplements can boost intake.
When your body lacks the recommended amount of vitamin D, you may experience a number of ill-effects including bone softening, low bone density, heart disease, and hair loss. In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes bald patches on the scalp or other areas of the body. Getting the recommended daily amount of vitamin D helps maintain bone health, normal calcium breakdown, and hair growth. If you’re concerned about your vitamin D intake, talk to your doctor.
Is there a link between vitamin D deficiency and hair loss?
One role that vitamin D plays in your body is stimulating old and new hair follicles alike. When vitamin D is lacking, new hair growth can be stunted. Vitamin D is metabolized by keratinocytes, the skin cells that process keratin found in hair, skin, and nails. If the body does not get enough vitamin D, keratinocytes have trouble regulating hair growth and shedding. The most common reasons people don’t get adequate amounts of vitamin D is increased time spent indoors, wearing a lot of sunscreen, and not eating enough foods rich in vitamin D.
Sources of Vitamin D
One of the best ways to boost our vitamin D intake is simply to spend a little more time in the sun. Of course, there is a fine balance between absorbing vitamin D and protecting our skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Try to take a 10 to 15 minute walk outside on a sunny day or sit near a window where sunlight is coming through.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet of foods that contain vitamin D. Some, like animal fats, salmon, and other fatty fish, are naturally rich in the nutrient, while milk, orange juice, and certain cereals are often fortified with it.
If your diet lacks adequate amounts of vitamin D, you may need to rely on supplements to increase intake. Keep in mind that most multivitamins include a relatively low amount of vitamin D. Talk to your doctor about checking your blood levels to determine whether a specific supplement or vitamin is necessary. If levels are found to be very low, your doctor may recommend a prescription dose.
If your hair loss cannot be helped by increasing vitamin D or any other nutrient, it’s time to contact DiStefano Hair Restoration for a free consultation. We’re here to help you understand your options and answer all your questions, so you can take control of your hair loss and realize the best version of you.
