Hair Loss from Vitamin Deficiency

Are you concerned about the linkage between your nutrition and hair condition? A certain amount of shedding is normal. The average person normally sheds up to 100 hairs every day. The hair we shed grows back as shedding is part of the hair life cycle.

The human hair has a life expectancy of three to six years. At any given time, some of our hair is growing, some is in the resting stage, and some is in the falling-out stage, and that’s ok.

One cause for hair loss which is above normal is poor nutrition and diet. In the western world this cause is very rare, as western nutrition usually contains all nutrients. In cases of diet, weight loss process or even due to stress people tend to adopt unbalanced nutrition that may cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  According to studies this is relevant almost exclusively to women and if you’re a man most chances that if you are losing hair the reason is pattern baldness. Women are more prone to vitamin deficiency as they are more likely to try diets and drastic measures to lose weight. They also eat less then men.

If you think that your diet is poor and that you have vitamin deficiency that cause hair loss – you can simply do a blood test that will present your nutritional profile by elaborating the nutrients levels in your blood. Your doctor will tell you if you are in deficiency in one or more substances.

Hair problems that are caused by nutritional deficiencies can be easily corrected by a proper diet and supplements. Hair loss from vitamin deficiency is reversible, so don’t worry too much if you found out this is the reason for your hair loss.

If you follow the Food Guide Pyramid, which is a general eating guide that includes all of the vital food groups, you should have no vitamin deficiency. A simple, regular healthy diet ensures the intake of essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to your health including your hair.

Regular exercise and stress management, limiting smoking and alcohol intake, are important for prevention of hair loss as they are toxins that cause health damages and prevent nutrients from executing their positive physiological contribution. Certain medical conditions, medications and drugs may also block nutrients absorption and cause vitamin deficiency and hair loss, and supplements can be taken to correct this problem.

In general, hair loss caused by vitamin deficiency is very rare in men, and may exist in women (usually lack of Iron and anemia as a result of abstaining of meat or as a result of blood loss during the period). Once vitamins deficiency exists it can be fixed very quickly.

Last note for the vegetarians – you are in the highest risk to suffer from hair loss caused by vitamin deficiency. Meat and non-veterinarian related foods contain vital nutrients and proteins in doses and quality much higher and better then vegetarian foods, so make sure your vegetarian food is rich and balanced enough, and use supplements to complete any deficiency.