Vitamin Deficiencies Causing Hair Loss?

Excessive hair fall out, clumps building up after detangling and hair wash day leaving you wondering if you’ll wake up like a sphynx cat? Let’s work out the underlying cause.

I recently noticed a sudden accumulation of hair fallout. I’d say typically, I shed the average amount of strands daily (50-100), but much to my surprise the amount has doubled and possibly even tripled! I initially disregarded any worries due to my undoubted optimism. Overtime, this worsened making me connect the dots to stress, potentially being the reason. We all have hormones, it’s a natural and common struggle. Until I walked into the doctor’s office with an unrelated issue.

Bloods were taken and results indicated that my folate was low. Folate has an important role in helping the body produce DNA and red blood cells. It’s especially vital in pregnancy also. Folic acid is a synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also known as vitamin B9. Folic acid helps increase your folate levels, which is also important for hair health and growth; it helps to produce keratin, a protein that makes up the structure of hair. Deficiency in folic acid can lead to hair thinning and hair loss. I had a lightbulb moment when I realised the significance of folate.

There are many nutritional deficiencies that are linked to hair loss, including: vitamin D, Iron, Biotin, Zinc, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12 and more. I already keep on top of my Vitamin D and Iron with the addition of supplements alongside a healthy, balanced diet. So it’s highly recommend to have a thorough blood test to guide you in the right direction, if at all!

Lastly, it’s natural to have more hair fallout, called seasonal hair loss. I’m not having you on, it’s actually a thing! It begins in summer, peaks during fall, and can linger through the wintertime. It’s the hair’s natural renewal process, just like the seasons themselves. Hair grows in a fixed cycle, growth over several years is called the anagen phase. Then, the hair enters the catagen phase. Within a few weeks, the hairs detach from the scalp and eventually fall out. In the telogen phase, the roots recover before the cycle begins again.

1. Legume like chick peas, lentils and egg dishes for protein
2. Nuts, spinach and avocado for vitamin E
3. Oatmeal for iron, zinc, and biotin
4. Fish – salmon, mackerel, sardines etc for omega-3 fatty acids
5. Apricots for vitamin B5
6. Tomatoes, blueberries, papaya, and pulses for antioxidants
7. Meat, milk, cheese and liver are great sources of vitamin B12
8. Leafy greens, kidney beans, whole-grains and eggs are high in vitamin B9 (folate)

I’ve noticed a significant reduction in hair fallout ever since I added folic acid into my usual supplement routine, so I can only theorise and speculate that this could’ve helped retain some of the excess I was suffering from. It’s so important to take note of your internal health and wellbeing first and foremost as the last sign is typically noted on the exterior.

What do you think? Have you been suffering from hair loss? What do you think could be the cause? Have you experienced seasonal hair loss? What helps your symptoms? Comment below!