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Writer's pictureJulia Haimovich

Hair loss (alopecia) can be caused by various factors, including physiological, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle elements.


Hair loss (alopecia) can be caused by various factors, including physiological, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle elements. Here are some of the most common causes of hair loss:

  1. Genetic Predisposition: Heredity is one of the main causes of baldness in men (XY karyotype) and women (XX karyotype). If you have a family history of baldness, there’s a chance you may also experience it.

  2. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations can affect hair growth and lead to hair loss. For instance, women often experience hair loss after childbirth due to hormonal changes in the body.

  3. Medical Conditions: Certain medical issues, such as autoimmune diseases (like alopecia areata), thyroid disorders, scalp infections, and other illnesses, can cause hair loss.

  4. Stress and Emotional Strain: Elevated stress levels can contribute to hair loss, triggered by physical or emotional stress, trauma, surgery, or significant life changes.

  5. Poor Nutrition: A deficiency in certain nutrients, such as iron, zinc, vitamins (especially B, C, and D), and proteins, can negatively impact hair health and lead to hair loss.

  6. Hair Damage: Frequent use of heat styling tools, aggressive chemical treatments (such as perming or coloring), and tight hairstyles (like braids or ponytails) can damage hair and result in hair loss.

If you are experiencing hair loss, it's recommended to consult with a doctor, dermatologist, and dietitian to identify the specific cause and develop a treatment plan or management strategy.

Key Vitamins and Electrolytes for Hair Health:

Iron

Iron deficiency and hair loss are linked because of iron's role in hair growth. Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen to the body’s cells and tissues, including hair follicles. When iron levels decrease, the follicles become less active, leading to thinning or brittle hair. Studies such as Salinas M et al. (1) and Almohanna HM et al. (2) highlight the connection between iron deficiency and hair loss, showing that replenishing iron can improve hair health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is thought to influence hair follicles, which contain vitamin D receptors that regulate hair growth and renewal cycles. Deficiency in vitamin D may also be associated with immune system dysfunctions, potentially contributing to alopecia. Research by Rasheed H. et al. (3) and Aksu Cerman A. et al. (4) demonstrated that women with alopecia tend to have lower vitamin D levels than those without.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and nerve function. Its deficiency can affect hair health. Studies, such as the review by Almohanna HM et al. (2), observed lower B12 levels in patients with alopecia areata compared to healthy controls, suggesting a possible link between B12 deficiency and hair loss.

Zinc

Zinc is essential for cell growth and division, particularly in hair follicles, where rapid cellular activity occurs. Deficiency in zinc can impair hair health, causing hair thinning. The study by Betsy A et al. (6) identified zinc deficiency associated with hypothyroidism as an overlooked cause of severe alopecia. Almohanna HM et al. (2) also emphasized zinc’s importance in preventing hair loss conditions such as telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium.

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

Biotin plays a key role in metabolism and hair health. A deficiency can lead to hair issues, including loss. The mechanism...

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Hair loss (alopecia) can be caused by various factors, including physiological, genetic, external factors, and lifestyle. Here are some of the most common causes of hair loss:

  1. Genetic Predisposition: Heredity is one of the main causes of baldness in men (XY karyotype) and women (XX karyotype). If there is a family history of baldness, there is a chance that you may also face this issue.

  2. Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormone levels can affect hair growth and lead to hair loss. For example, women often experience hair loss after childbirth due to hormonal fluctuations.

  3. Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., alopecia areata), thyroid issues, scalp infections, and other illnesses, can cause hair loss.

  4. Stress and Emotional Strain: Elevated stress levels can lead to hair loss. This can be due to physical or emotional stress, trauma, surgery, or significant life changes.

  5. Poor Nutrition: A lack of specific nutrients, such as iron, zinc, vitamins (especially B, C, and D), and proteins, can negatively affect hair health and cause hair loss.

  6. Hair Damage: Frequent use of heat styling tools, aggressive chemical treatments (such as perms, coloring), and heavy hairstyles (tight braids or ponytails) can damage hair and lead to hair loss.

If you are experiencing hair loss, it is recommended to consult a doctor, dermatologist, and dietitian to determine the specific cause and develop a treatment or management plan.

Vitamins and Electrolytes to Pay Attention to:

IronIron deficiency is linked to hair loss due to its role in hair growth processes. Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body, including the hair follicles.Iron deficiency can arise from insufficient dietary intake or absorption problems. Low iron levels may result in iron deficiency anemia, which can directly affect hair follicles and hair growth. Hair follicles are actively growing structures and need adequate nutrients, including iron, for normal functioning.Low iron levels can weaken the hair follicles, leading to thinning and brittle hair, possibly causing baldness or thinning hair coverage.The study "Alopecia and Iron Deficiency: An Interventional Pilot Study in Primary Care to Improve the Request of Ferritin" by Salinas M. et al. (1) demonstrates that iron replenishment can improve hair conditions in cases related to iron deficiency.Another study, "The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review" by Almohanna HM et al. (2), explored the connection between iron and zinc deficiencies and hair issues in women. Results showed that low levels of these micronutrients were associated with hair deterioration.

Vitamin DThe link between vitamin D and hair loss is not fully understood, but there is evidence suggesting that vitamin D may play a direct role in hair follicles. Hair follicles are skin structures from which hair grows, and vitamin D receptors are present in these follicles, possibly influencing their functioning.There is also a hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency could be associated with immune system disturbances that contribute to alopecia. Inflammatory conditions in hair follicles may lead to damage and hair loss.Several studies, including "Serum Ferritin and Vitamin D in Female Hair Loss: Do They Play a Role?" by Rasheed H. et al. (3), have indicated a connection between lower vitamin D levels and alopecia in women. Other research, such as Aksu Cerman A. et al.'s study "25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Early-Onset Alopecia Areata" (4), found lower levels of vitamin D in patients with alopecia areata compared to control groups.

Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in several bodily processes, including red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and nervous system functioning. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can be linked to hair loss.The study "The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review" by Almohanna HM et al. (2) found that individuals with alopecia areata had lower levels of vitamin B12 compared to healthy individuals.

ZincZinc is a trace element that plays a key role in cell growth and division, including hair follicles. Zinc deficiency can negatively impact hair health, leading to hair loss.Research, such as the study "Zinc Deficiency Associated with Hypothyroidism: An Overlooked Cause of Severe Alopecia" by Betsy A. et al. (6), showed that zinc supplementation improved hair health in patients with zinc deficiency and hypothyroidism. Another study by Almohanna HM et al. (2) also confirmed a link between zinc deficiency and hair loss.

Biotin (Vitamin B7)Biotin is crucial for metabolic processes and hair health. A lack of biotin can result in hair problems, including hair loss. Biotin deficiency is rare but can occur due to certain genetic conditions or poor dietary intake.

REFERENCES

1.      Salinas M, Leiva-Salinas M, Flores E, López-Garrigós M, Leiva-Salinas C. “Alopecia and Iron Deficiency: An Interventional Pilot Study in Primary Care to Improve the Request of Ferritin.” (Алопеция и дефицит железа: интервенционное пилотное исследование в первичной медицинской помощи для улучшения запроса ферритина ) Adv Hematol.  2020 Aug 26;2020:7341018. doi: 10.1155/2020/7341018. PMID: 32908518; PMCID: PMC7471793.

2.      Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. (Роль витаминов и минералов в выпадении волос: обзор )Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Mar;9(1):51-70. doi: 10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6. Epub 2018 Dec 13. PMID: 30547302; PMCID: PMC6380979.

3.      Rasheed H, Mahgoub D, Hegazy R, El-Komy M, Abdel Hay R, Hamid MA, Hamdy E. Serum ferritin and vitamin d in female hair loss: do they play a role? ("Сывороточный ферритин и витамин D при выпадении волос у женщин: играют ли они роль?")Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;26(2):101-7. doi: 10.1159/000346698. Epub 2013 Feb 20. PMID: 23428658.

4.      Aksu Cerman, A., Sarikaya Solak, S. and Kivanc Altunay, I. (2014), Vitamin D deficiency in alopecia areata. (Дефицит 25-гидроксивитамина D у пациентов с ранним началом ареаты алопеции: исследование случаев и контроля)  Br J Dermatol, 170: 1299-1304. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12980

5.      Erpolat S, Sarifakioglu E, Ayyildiz A. 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in patients with alopecia areata. ."  (Уровни сывороточного 25-гидроксивитамина D у пациентов с алопецией ареата) Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2017 Jun;34(3):248-252. doi: 10.5114/ada.2017.67847. Epub 2017 May 29. PMID: 28670255; PMCID: PMC5471380.

6.      Betsy A, Binitha M, Sarita S. Zinc deficiency associated with hypothyroidism: an overlooked cause of severe alopecia. (Недостаток цинка, ассоциированный с гипотиреозом: недооцененная причина тяжелой алопеции)  Int J Trichology. 2013 Jan;5(1):40-2. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.114714. PMID: 23960398; PMCID: PMC3746228.

7.      Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord. (Обзор применения биотина при выпадении волос. Восполительные кожные болезни) 2017 Aug;3(3):166-169. doi: 10.1159/000462981. Epub 2017 Apr 27. PMID: 28879195; PMCID: PMC5582478.


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