A vital ingredient for our immunity, bone, skin, and hair health, vitamin D also plays a crucial role in creating hair follicles.

The sun is a primary source for the natural production of vitamin D. Diet and supplements are other forms of gaining vitamin D.

Losing hair may be a symptom of vitamin D deficiency if vitamin D levels are below the recommended amount. Alopecia, the balding of hair, is one of the many symptoms associated with low vitamin D levels. The other symptoms are soft bones, heart disorders, osteoporosis, and cancer.

Recommended Dosages

The National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements recommends an amount of 400 IU for babies below the age of 1. For kids above the age of 1 and adults, 600 IU is good. Individuals above the age of 70 can take a dosage of 800 IU. Consult your physician for the accurate dose you require.

Does Low Vitamin D Lead To Hair Loss?

Keratinocytes, the cells which process the keratin present in our hair, skin, and nails, process the vitamin D in our bodies. Deficient storage of vitamin D may cause trouble for the keratinocytes in regulating hair loss and regrowth.

Vitamin D plays a role in the growth of hair follicles, both new and old. A deficiency of vitamin D can slump the process of hair growth. Evidence also proves that insufficient vitamin D levels lead to a decrease in hair growth.

Alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that produces areas of baldness on the scalp and body, has been linked to vitamin D deficiency and occurs in both genders. Evidence shows that people aged 18 to 45, who suffer from alopecia or hair loss, have a mutual condition of low vitamin D.

Research conducted in 2017 showed that constant low vitamin D levels might worsen hair loss in the long run.

Decreased levels can be due to insufficient sun exposure because of excess application of sunscreen or less outdoor time. A poor diet, low in vitamin D, and with no additional supplementation can also lead to depleted vitamin D levels.

Sources Of Vitamin D

1. Supplements

Your physician can assess your levels and recommend a dosage suitable for your needs. Breastfeeding mothers with low levels can pass down their deficiency to their babies as the babies rely on their mothers for their nutrients. 

If vitamin D levels are not good, the baby should take a supplement. Your doctor might prescribe high doses if your levels are critically low. Multivitamins usually contain a dosage of around 400 IU, below the recommended daily allowance. 

2. Sunlight

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D for humans. Less outdoor time or excessive use of sunscreen can decrease the synthesis of vitamin D by the body. To correct the same, go for daily walks in the sun, spend time near the window or bask under the sun.

3. Vitamin D Rich Foods

One can either consume natural sources of vitamin D or opt for fortified foods enriched with vitamin D. Fish, eggs, animal fat, and fish liver oil are some rich sources of this nutrient. You can reach 340% of your recommended allowance of vitamin D in one single tablespoon of fish liver oil. The marketplace has several fortified products like orange juice, grains, dairy, and plant-based milk. Despite this, vegetarians and vegans are prone to developing vitamin D deficiency.

Takeaway

More than the actual nutrient, vitamin D receptors improve hair fall by replenishing hair follicles and helping with hair growth, as shown in research. 

In 2014, research published in Molecular Endocrinology studied the effect of vitamin D receptors on the regrowth of hair in mice with positive results. However, further research is still required to determine whether the amount of regrowth is significant and requires a specific duration of time. 

Some unreliable sources have shown that hair loss can cease, and regrowth can occur within two months after increasing vitamin D.

A deficiency in vitamin D can make a hoard of symptoms arise, hair loss being one of them. You can battle this by spending extra time in the sun, maintaining an appropriate diet rich in vitamin D, or even depending upon supplementation. Do reach out to your physician to determine the accurate dose you require before supplementation.