Vitamin D stimulates hair follicles to grow, and so when the body does not have enough, the hair may be affected. A vitamin D deficiency may also be linked to alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss.
One role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isn't enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, the autoimmune condition that causes bald patches on the scalp and other areas of the body.
According to Levitan, getting between 800 and 2,000 IU—or 20 to 50 micrograms—of vitamin D daily is usually enough, and “too much can cause toxicity.” Some people require 5,000 IU daily to maintain optimum blood levels and Vitamin D should be taken in the morning with Magnesium for maximum bioavailability.
Vitamin D supplements are an excellent way to improve your Vitamin D blood levels. Unfortunately, not many foods naturally contain an adequate amount of Vitamin D. If you are consistent with taking your Vitamin D supplements, there is a likelihood that you will see hair regrowth results within six to eight weeks.
The most common vitamin D hair growth product is Calcipotriol, which is a prescription topical medication that can help improve scalp condition and alopecia disorders. Oral supplements – Patients could also take vitamin D in capsules or tablets form.
Results showed significant improvement in hair growth in young (r=0.457 p<0.003) women and in those, which do not use sunscreen (r=-0.331 p<0.037) but commonly utilize milk or milk protein (r=-0.311 p<0.051). Vitamin D3 therapy resulted in the improvement of the condition in 82.5% (p<0.001) patients of TE.
Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with scarring alopecia. However, conclusive studies to demonstrate the benefit of vitamin D administration in correcting hair loss and managing these conditions are lacking.
“Both vitamin D deficiency, as well as vitamin D excess, may cause hair loss,” Chacon explains. A 2020 study in the International Journal of Dermatology found that vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the development and severity of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness.
How Long Does It Take for Vitamin D to Work? If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you may notice improvements within 4-6 weeks of consistent supplementation. However, that timeframe can vary depending on what your baseline vitamin D levels are.
Vitamin A
And vitamin A is essential for your cells to grow, which, in turn, helps your hair grow. Your skin glands also benefit from vitamin A, using it to produce sebum. The sebum (oil) keeps your scalp moisturized and keeps hair healthy. But don't overdo it with vitamin A, as too much can cause hair loss.
There are quite a few differences between vitamin D and vitamin D3, but the main difference between them is that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates calcium and phosphorous levels in the body, whereas the vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the body from sunlight.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test. A level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered adequate for healthy people. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.
Left untreated, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults, rickets in children and adverse outcomes in pregnant women. It may also be linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer — although more study is needed on the topic.
In general, the two main causes of vitamin D deficiency are: Not getting enough vitamin D in your diet and/or through sunlight. Your body isn't properly absorbing or using vitamin D.
While the best timing has not been established, scientific data to confirm anecdotal reports that supplementing at night may interfere with sleep is unavailable. Current research suggests you can fit vitamin D into your routine whenever you prefer.
Topical application of vitamin D3 has been shown to render protection against damage caused to the skin by UV light. Vitamin D reduces cell death, promotes cell survival and reduces redness due to photodamage of skin caused by UV radiation, to some extent.
The effect of equivalent oral doses of vitamin D3 600 IU/day, 4200 IU/week and 18,000 IU/month on vitamin D status was compared in a randomized clinical trial in nursing home residents. A daily dose was more effective than a weekly dose, and a monthly dose was the least effective.
Vitamin D is vital for making our muscles work efficiently and boosting energy levels, new research from Newcastle University has shown.
Vitamin D may regulate mood and reduce depression
Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression. A review of 7,534 people found that those experiencing negative emotions who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in symptoms.