Combined Diet and Supplementation Therapy Resolves Alopecia Areata in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Study

November 2020 in “ Curēus ”

Cliff Harvey

alopecia areata autoimmune condition hair loss dietary approach supplementation vitamins A vitamin D zinc multi-nutrient zinc sulfate fish oil micronutrients AA diet supplements vitamin A

TLDR A child's hair loss from alopecia areata was fully reversed in five months using diet and supplements.

In a case study from November 2020, an eight-year-old male diagnosed with alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, was treated with a combined dietary and supplementation approach. The regimen focused on unrefined foods high in vitamins A and D, zinc, and included additional supplements such as a multi-nutrient, zinc sulfate, and fish oil with vitamin D. The treatment led to complete remission of AA within five months, suggesting a potential link between diet, specific micronutrients, and the management of AA.

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Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research An Investigation of Vitamin D Status in Alopecia Areata

37 citations, June 2018 in “Clinical and Experimental Medicine”

People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels and more inflammation, suggesting vitamin D might be involved in the condition.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of Disease Pathogenesis

191 citations, May 2018 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Alopecia areata is likely an autoimmune disease with unclear triggers, involving various immune cells and molecules, and currently has no cure.

research Increased Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

48 citations, May 2018 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels and are more likely to be deficient in it.

research Correlation of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Clinical Paradigm

29 citations, December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels, which are linked to more severe and longer-lasting hair loss, but vitamin D receptor levels in the skin don't show the same pattern and don't predict treatment success.

research Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis and Management

99 citations, July 2017 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

New treatments for Alopecia Areata show promise but need to be more effective and affordable.

research The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

63 citations, May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and folate, but more research is needed to understand if supplements can help treat it.

research Serum Vitamin D Level Is Related to Disease Severity in Pediatric Alopecia Areata

28 citations, April 2017 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Low vitamin D can worsen pediatric alopecia areata.

research Assessment of Vitamin D Receptors in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia

20 citations, May 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Low vitamin D receptor levels found in hair loss patients; topical vitamin D treatment suggested.

research Vitamin D Deficiency in Alopecia Areata

105 citations, March 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Alopecia areata patients often have low vitamin D levels, suggesting they might benefit from vitamin D supplements.

research Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Are Not Associated With Alopecia Areata

13 citations, September 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Vitamin D receptor gene variations are not linked to alopecia areata.

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