The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

The 2017 review investigated the connection between micronutrient deficiencies and alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss condition. It found that AA patients often have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and folate compared to healthy individuals. While some studies suggested a potential role for vitamin A, the evidence for other micronutrients like iron, vitamin B12, copper, magnesium, and selenium was either conflicting or insufficient. The review called for more extensive research, including larger and prospective studies, to establish clear guidelines for micronutrient testing and supplementation in AA. It also noted that while vitamin D and zinc deficiencies are common in AA patients, the effectiveness of supplementation as a treatment remains unclear due to a lack of rigorous clinical trials. The document highlighted the need for further investigation into the role of micronutrients in AA, particularly through placebo-controlled clinical trials and larger studies that could resolve current inconsistencies and provide more definitive conclusions.