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Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Female Hair Loss?

"Vitamin D deficiency is one nutritional deficiency that can also cause hair loss", says Dr Sumit Gupta, Associate Consultant, Department of Dermatology Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Written by Tavishi Dogra | Updated : June 10, 2024 4:35 PM IST

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Vitamin D Deficiency

So, nutritional deficiencies of various kinds are common causes of hair loss in women. Vitamin D deficiency is one nutritional deficiency that can also cause hair loss, but more common causes are iron deficiency, vitamin B complex deficiency, and vitamin B12, which means vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid.

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Hair Follicle Stem Cells

So, vitamin D is required for the regular cycling of hair follicles. So, there are hair follicle stem cells. The purpose of those cells is to multiply rapidly and indefinitely and produce more substance that goes into the making of the hair. After creating a strand of hair, most hair follicle stem cells would go into the resting and shedding phases. Also Read - How the Right Breakfast After 40 Can Help Prevent Diabetes, Heart Disease and Muscle Loss

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Hair Follicles Have A Growth Cycle

So, there is a growing phase called anagen, where hair follicle stem cells are actively multiplying. Then, they enter a resting phase, which is called catagen. Then there is a shedding phase, telogen, and after this shedding phase, the hair follicles would again enter the next phase of anagen or the next cycle where the first phase is anagen.