The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review
May 2017
in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”
TLDR 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.
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.
View this study on europepmc.org →
Cited in this study
research Assessment of vitamin D receptors in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia
Low vitamin D receptor levels found in hair loss patients; topical vitamin D treatment suggested.
research Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with alopecia areata (AA): A systematic review
People with alopecia areata, a skin disease, generally have a poor quality of life, especially if more of their scalp is affected.
research Epidemiology and burden of alopecia areata: a systematic review
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.
research Combination therapy with zinc gluconate and PUVA for alopecia areata totalis: an adjunctive but crucial role of zinc supplementation
Zinc supplementation may be an important part of treating severe hair loss.
research The autoimmune basis of alopecia areata: A comprehensive review
research Dietary vitamin A regulates wingless-related MMTV integration site signaling to alter the hair cycle
Eating vitamin A affects hair growth and health by changing cell signals in mice.
research Comparison of Zn, Cu, and Fe Content in Hair and Serum in Alopecia Areata Patients with Normal Group
Hair and serum levels of zinc, copper, and iron are similar in people with alopecia areata and healthy individuals.
research Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation in patients with alopecia areata in Turkish population
research Reduced level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in chronic/relapsing Alopecia Areata
People with chronic Alopecia Areata often have lower vitamin D levels.
research Endogenous Retinoids in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata
research Retinoids Putting the “A” in Alopecia
Vitamin A may influence hair loss conditions like alopecia, but more research is needed to understand how.
research Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss
People with hair loss, especially those with certain types, have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplements might help.
research Nutrition and Hair
Eating the right nutrients can improve hair health, but taking extra supplements usually doesn't help unless you have a deficiency.
research Serum holotranscobalamine, vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine levels in alopecia areata patients
research Successful Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Topical Calcipotriol
A boy with alopecia regrew hair using a vitamin D cream after other treatments failed.
research Nutrition and hair
Certain groups may need vitamin supplements to improve hair health and prevent other health problems.
research Alopecia areata update
The document says current treatments for alopecia areata do not cure or prevent it, and it's hard to judge their effectiveness due to spontaneous remission and lack of studies.
research Pernicious anemia in a patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and alopecia areata universalis
research The Therapeutic Effect and the Changed Serum Zinc Level after Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients Who Had a Low Serum Zinc Level
Zinc supplements increased zinc levels in some hair loss patients but didn't significantly improve hair growth.
research The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss
Iron deficiency may be related to hair loss, but there's not enough evidence to recommend iron screening or supplements for all hair loss patients.
research Decreased Serum Ferritin is Associated With Alopecia in Women
Low iron levels may be linked to some types of hair loss in women.
research Guidelines for the management of alopecia areata
The 2003 guidelines suggest that while some treatments can regrow hair in alopecia areata, none alter the disease's progression, and wigs may be the best option for extensive hair loss.
research Antioxidants and lipid peroxidation status in the blood of patients with alopecia
research The importance of adequate serum ferritin levels during oral cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol treatment of diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia in women
Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.
Related
research Alopecia areata: A multifactorial autoimmune condition
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
research Linear alopecia areata
research Treating of resistant cases of alopecia universalis
Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.