Nutrients And Hair Metabolism

September 2022 in “ Piel ”

José Luis Galmés Olmos

alopecia micronutrients hair follicle metabolism zinc telogen effluvium alopecia areata polycystic ovary syndrome androgenetic alopecia 5α-reductase antioxidant hair loss PCOS

TLDR Zinc helps improve hair loss conditions.

The document established a link between nutrient deficiencies and various forms of alopecia, highlighting the importance of micronutrients in hair follicle metabolism. A study involving 312 patients with different types of alopecia and 30 healthy controls found significantly lower serum zinc levels in those with alopecia. Zinc supplementation showed positive therapeutic effects, particularly in telogen effluvium and alopecia areata, even in normozincemic patients. Zinc was also beneficial in reducing alopecia incidence in polycystic ovary syndrome and was recommended for androgenetic alopecia due to its potential roles, including inhibiting 5α-reductase and acting as an antioxidant.

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Research cited in this study

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11 citations , February 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Low zinc and biotin levels linked to male hair loss; supplements may help.

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Correcting nutrient deficiencies may help with hair loss, but the benefits of supplements without a deficiency are uncertain and could be harmful.

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25 citations , January 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Most Indian people with hair loss in the study lacked nutrients, especially iron.

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Patients with alopecia areata have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplements might help.

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16 citations , March 2015 in “Dermatologic therapy”

Zinc supplementation may be an important part of treating severe hair loss.

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19 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

Ultraviolet rays damage hair, smoking may cause hair loss, and good nutrition is important for hair health, but genetics mainly decide hair thickness.

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Trichoscopy is a quick, cost-effective tool for diagnosing different hair loss conditions.

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Lower hair zinc and copper levels found in Turkish males with hair loss; higher BMI linked to less hair zinc.

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Taking zinc supplements can help improve or cure hair loss caused by zinc deficiency.

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Iron deficiency common in women, not always linked to hair loss; more research needed.

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Certain groups may need vitamin supplements to improve hair health and prevent other health problems.

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Zinc supplements increased zinc levels in some hair loss patients but didn't significantly improve hair growth.

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Biotin and biotinidase are essential to prevent health issues, and deficiencies require lifelong supplementation.

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Low iron levels are linked to more hair loss in non-menopausal women.

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Taking L-cystine and vitamin B6 can prevent hair loss caused by smoke in mice.

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The dietary supplement helped increase hair growth in women with hair loss.

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Iron deficiency may be related to hair loss, but there's not enough evidence to recommend iron screening or supplements for all hair loss patients.

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Low iron levels may be linked to some types of hair loss in women.

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An enzyme other than TNAP might be responsible for vitamin B-6 metabolism in the skin.

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Low iron and L-lysine levels can cause hair loss in women, and increasing these nutrients can reduce hair shedding.

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Some hair loss can be treated, especially in women due to nutrition, but some types remain untreatable.

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