Are you having problems with thinning hair or hair loss? If so, it could be because you have too much zinc in your diet. There have been many studies that show how too much zinc can lead to hair loss and other issues.
For most people, taking zinc doesn't have any effect on the hair in any way. However, there will be some people who experience a reduction in daily shedding - especially if they had low zinc to begin with.
Can zinc be harmful? Yes, too much zinc can be harmful. Signs of too much zinc include nausea, dizziness, headaches, upset stomach, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If you take too much zinc for a long time, you could have problems such as lower immunity, low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, and low copper levels.
Although zinc supplements may help to treat hair shedding if you have a zinc deficiency, there isn't any scientific evidence that zinc can slow down or reverse male pattern baldness. Instead, you'll get the best results by treating hair loss with science-based hair loss treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Zinc supports hair growth, strengthens hair follicles and increases thickness. Just as zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, so can excess levels of zinc. Taking zinc supplements in moderation with proper medical advice is key.
There could be another underlying issue causing your hair loss or other symptoms, so always consult with a medical professional first,” Dr. Ben Lynch, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Seeking Health. The recommended amounts of zinc are 11mg for males and 8mg for females a day, which can change with age.
Adults should avoid taking more than 40 mg of zinc each day. If you accidentally take more than this, it's more likely to cause stomach symptoms than any serious health problems. Check with your healthcare provider if you are considering taking zinc supplements.
Sudden hair loss is typically a sign of two conditions: telogen effluvium or alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is commonly caused by stress, which increases the natural rate of hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes your body to attack its hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
Excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced one the following stressors: Lost 20 pounds or more. Given birth. Experiencing lots of stress (caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
Possible causes of hair loss include stress, poor diet, and underlying medical conditions. Everyone experiences hair shedding, and it happens to each of us every day. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle, more on days you wash your hair.
Deficiencies in several nutrients — including some B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, and zinc — may contribute to hair loss.
It has been reported that some alopecia areata patients have zinc deficiency6-8. Zinc is an essential cofactor for multiple enzymes and it is involved with important functional activities in the hair follicle. Further, zinc is a potent inhibitor of hair follicle regression and it accelerates hair follicle recovery6,7.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
Recommended Amounts. RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19+ years is 11 mg a day for men and 8 mg for women. Pregnancy and lactation requires slightly more at 11 mg and 12 mg, respectively.
The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults and 4 mg of zinc a day for infants under age 6 months. Don't use intranasal zinc. This form of zinc has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell.
Your body doesn't need a large amount of zinc. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 8 - 11 mg. It's common to have slightly low levels of zinc, but taking a multivitamin, plus eating a healthy diet, should give you all the zinc you need.
Iron. Iron deficiency is a very common form of nutrient deficiency and a major cause of hair loss. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the bloodstream. Without enough iron, the blood cells cannot deliver enough oxygen to the body, resulting in symptoms like hair loss, brittle nails, and fatigue.
The three most common triggers for hair loss in young women are stress, dieting, and hormonal changes. Less commonly, hair loss can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases. Here's more on these four triggers for hair loss in young women.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.
For adults, the recommended daily dosage is typically 15–30 mg of elemental zinc ( 34 ). This amount can also be obtained by enjoying a variety of foods rich in zinc as part of a healthy diet, such as meat, poultry, seafood, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, seeds, legumes, and dairy products ( 34 ).
Zinc helps to regulate the menstrual cycle by nourishing healthy ovarian follicles and therefore promoting ovulation. Premenstrual mood symptoms. According to a 2022 randomized clinical trial, zinc supplementation can improve PMS.
There is a lot of evidence linking zinc to blood clotting. Zinc is released from cells called platelets that control blood clotting, and scientists have found unwanted blood clots can form when zinc levels in the blood are faulty.