When it comes to hair loss, vitamin deficiency is the most common cause. Malnutrition often paves the way for partial or complete hair loss. Malnutrition can result from poor dietary habits, disturbed metabolism, massive urinary excretion or stress. Other causes include hormonal changes, genetic disorder, health ailments or medications.
Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for regulating regeneration and growth of hair follicles. If the human body is deficient in the required nutrients, the follicle won't be able to perform the normal hair growth cycle, resulting in split ends, hair breakage and slow re-growth.
Principal nutrients responsible for hair loss include Vitamin A, E, C and B. Vitamin A secretes sebum in scalp that keeps the hair moist. If an adequate amount of Vitamin A is not consumed, sebum secretion is hampered, resulting in dryness of hair. This dryness is the major cause of hair fall. Deficiency of Vitamin A can also build up cellular debris in the hair follicles resulting in dandruff and hair loss.
Vitamin E is responsible for performing the vital function of enhancing the level of blood circulation towards scalp. It also plays a major role in hair regeneration and growth by helping follicles to take enough oxygen. The deficiency of this vitamin can be a great obstacle to hair regeneration and growth.
Vitamin C can be harmful to hair only in case of prolonged deficiency. This vitamin helps in the formation of collagen. Collagen is a connective tissue that holds other tissues of the body to provide structure, such as the tissue in hair. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to splitting and breaking.
Vitamin B6, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 also play significant roles in performing the normal hair growth cycle. These vitamins are responsible for the formation of hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body, including the hair. If the hair follicle does not receive a constant supply of blood and oxygen, it leads to hair falling, damaged hair and slow re-growth. Deficiency of these vitamins can be curbed by consuming more of milk and egg yolk.
Vitamin deficiency and hair can never go hand in hand. One needs to combat the deficiency to have strong, healthy and beautiful hair. To do so, you should consume variety of food items to ensure adequate intake of vitamins.