TLDR Some vitamins and minerals are important for preventing hair loss, but treating hair loss with them without a known deficiency is not proven effective.
The 2018 study "Micronutrients in hair loss" reviewed 92 articles and found that certain micronutrients play a significant role in hair loss and growth. Lower levels of iron, zinc, and vitamin D were associated with telogen effluvium and alopecia areata, while androgenetic alopecia was linked to lower levels of iron and vitamin D. Both lower and increased levels of vitamin A could result in telogen effluvium, with lower levels also causing hair breakage. Vitamin C insufficiency was found to result in hair shaft abnormality. However, there was no data about hair loss associated with abnormal biotin levels. The study concluded that the role of micronutrients for hair follicle function was not completely understood and that treatments of hair loss with micronutrients without confirmed deficiencies had not shown utility.
1 citations
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February 2023 in “Digestive diseases and sciences” Gastroparesis may cause hair loss due to micronutrient deficiencies, and multivitamins might help.
January 2022 in “Clinical Cases in Dermatology” Lack of certain nutrients may contribute to hair loss and proper diet or supplements could improve it.
Taking supplements after sleeve gastrectomy surgery can reduce hair loss by addressing nutritional deficiencies.
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November 2020 in “Curēus” A child's hair loss from alopecia areata was fully reversed in five months using diet and supplements.
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December 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Some vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and iron can help with certain types of hair loss, but more research is needed for others.
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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.
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September 2010 in “Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care” Micronutrient deficiencies may cause hair loss in people on long-term parenteral nutrition.
