6 Commonly-Ignored Nutritional Deficiencies that Cause Hair Loss

Proper nutrition is important for healthy hair. How many times have you read or heard that? Well, it’s true. No amount of the best shampoo can bring results, if your diet is poor. Salon treatments are no solution. They only create superficial beauty of hair.

Let your hair exude beauty from within. Let your shampoos and salon treatments only supplement this beauty.

It’s official: nutritional deficiencies cause hair loss.

So, if you are losing hair, check out your diet.

You might be deficient in the following nutrients to cause hair loss:

1. Protein

Hair is made of protein. This explains it. You must eat protein for strong, healthy hair. Choose plant foods, as they are friendly to the skin, hair, and the heart.

Time to chomp on nuts, chia seeds, almonds, peas, lentils, spirulina, beans, and dairy products.

2. Zinc

Zinc deficiency is common. It causes premature hair loss in males and females. Zinc promotes normal cell function. It aids in cell regeneration. The mineral is responsible for new hair growth. You just cannot go low on zinc, if you want a head full of lush hair.

Nuts, seeds, oysters, lentils are rich in zinc. Consult a doctor for zinc supplements.

3. Iron

Iron carries oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to various parts of the body, including follicles. Obviously, if you lack iron, such blood won’t reach your follicles adequately. It leads to malnourished scalp.

Munch on pomegranate, beetroot, spinach, chia, lentils, soybeans, quinoa, and kale.

Take to your doctor about iron supplements, if you believe your diet cannot fulfill the requirement.

Ensure you aren’t deficient in copper, which helps in proper absorption of iron in the body. Copper also helps in the production of red blood cells and keeps nerves, immune system, bones, and blood vessels in top condition.

4. Biotin

Biotin is associated with the production of keratin in hair. Keratin is the protein of which hair are made of. No wonder many reputable hair loss shampoos contain biotin these days. This B group of vitamin strengthens hair.

5. Vitamins A, C, D, and E

Vitamin A is a critical nutrient for hair, skin, and nails. Its deficiency creates hair loss, joint pains, dull skin, and poor eyesight.

Eat more of orange-colored foods and dark leafy greens.

Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen. It also contributes to enzymatic actions that help in growth, maintenance, and repairing of your body.

Citrus fruits are the best sources of this vitamin. Gorge on oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, cherries, grapefruit, tomatoes, and leafy greens.

Studies have found a link between Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss. So make sure you bask under the morning sun daily for 15-20 minutes or take supplements.

Vitamin E fights off free radicals that may damage follicles. Handful of almonds, anybody?

6. Healthy fats

Proud of your fat-free diet? Think again. You are harming your hair, skin, brain, and overall health. We need fats to function well, say doctors.

Include raw plant oils like olive, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, and avocados. Stay away from trans fats, but embrace healthy fats.

You will be surprised how beautifully you fight hair loss just by correcting nutritional deficiencies in your diet.