Does Vitamin D Help with Hair Thinning?

Vitamin D is essential for cell reproduction in the hair and skin, and also benefits the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency contributes to hair loss in some cases.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb dietary calcium and phosphorus from the intestines and suppresses the release of parathyroid hormone, a hormone that causes bone resorption. This serves to keep the bones healthy. Vitamin D is also believed to improve muscle and immune function. 

Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is also naturally occurring in certain foods such as fatty fish, cod liver oil, and eggs. It is also found on fortified foods such as milk. 

Health benefits of vitamin D include:

• Strong bones
• Prevention of falls
• Supports immune function
• Reduces inflammation
• May help protect against some cancers such as colon, prostate, and breast cancers
• May help prevent and treat:
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) 
  • Glucose intolerance
  • Multiple sclerosis 

Getting adequate vitamin D intake or supplementation may help prevent hair loss. 

• Vitamin D may be important for cell proliferation in the hair growth cycle
• Vitamin D may reduce inflammation, which may also help keep hair follicles healthy
• Vitamin D helps support immune function which can protect the scalp from infection

Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to hair loss in some cases. Talk to your doctor about the right dose for your condition. 

Foods that are good sources of vitamin D include:

• Seafood
  • Trout
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Tuna
• Meat and poultry
  • Beef liver
  • Chicken breast
  • Ground beef
• Vegetables
  • Mushrooms (white and Portabella)
• Dairy products
  • Milk, vitamin D fortified
  • Cheddar cheese
• Other
  • Cod liver oil
  • Plant-based milks (e.g. soy, almond, oat), vitamin D fortified
  • Eggs
  • Ready-to-eat cereals, vitamin D fortified

Exposure to sunlight is also another source for vitamin D but too much sun exposure can lead to sunburns, premature skin aging, eye damage, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, or skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about how much sun exposure you may need and how to get exposure safely.