AN INVESTIGATION ON THE REASONING OF HAIR LOSS AND THE ROLE OF VITAMINS
AN INVESTIGATION ON THE REASONING OF HAIR LOSS AND THE ROLE OF VITAMINS
(An Explanatory Research Essay)
Authors:
Ms. Iqra Ahmad (Bahauddin Zakariya, University)
Mr. Muhammad Naeem (Laureate Folks International)
laureatefolks@gmail.com
The current research study is explanatory in nature to
explore the relationship between the use of vitamins and control of hair loss. The
researchers aim to explore the role and benefits of using multiple kinds of
vitamins to stop hair loss at young ages of life. Because at a young age, personality grooming is directly linked with your personal appearance.
Excessive hair loss and baldness ruins people's appearance and highly affect
their confidence. If hair loss (alopecia) is occurring at a young age it can be
a symptom of medical illness. Beautiful-looking hair is crucial for excellent
heath. Inadequate daily intake of some vitamins can lead to hair fall or hair
loss. On the contrary, an overdose of some vitamins can cause hair loss. In
this review, the relation to vitamins with hair loss is discussed. Moreover,
the functions of vitamins, their benefits for the human body, and their
recommended daily allowance are briefly mentioned. Also, a conclusion is
withdrawn showing which vitamin deficiency can cause hair loss.
Key Terms: Hair Loss, Vitamins, Human Body
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 What are vitamins?
Vitamins are
required in our body in a minor amount thus they are called micronutrients.
They are used to accomplish several chemical reactions and have to be taken
through food as they cannot be synthesized in the body (except biotin, niacin,
vitamin D, and vitamin K). Dietary Insufficiency or unavailability of either
fat-soluble or water-soluble vitamins disrupts the physiological functioning of
the body and clinical symptoms develop. Deficiency in vitamins can be combated
by taking them as supplements (Halver, 2003).
Moreover,
vitamins have been recognized as immune boosters and epidrugs as they have a direct
impact on immune regulations and epigenetic modifications respectively (Nur et al., 2020). According to Alpert (2017), to treat
dermatological diseases particularly hair loss people turn to vitamin and
mineral supplementations.
1.2 Vitamins and hair loss:
Hair loss or
alopecia is caused by abnormalities in normal hair production. It can be
scarring alopecia and non-scarring alopecia the latter is a rare disorder and
called cicatricial alopecia. The
most common type of scarring hair loss includes the androgenetic alopecia
(common balding), telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata (Chanprapaph et al., 2019). They have
different pathogenesis but are related to vitamin deficiencies. Significant
improvements in hair growth are reported when administrated with vitamins as
they are the major elements in the hair growth cycle (Nabahin et al., 2017). On the other
hands, Gupta et al., (2021), stated that patients
with alopecia experience emotional stress particularly in this modern era of
online socialization.
2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Vitamin A:
Vitamin A or retinoids
are fat-soluble vitamins and it has three forms retinol, retinal and retinoid
esters. They are present in animal and
plant food sources as preformed vitamin A and provitamin A respectively. Beta-carotene
is the most common form of provitamin A taken for plants. When we eat vitamin A
from vegetables or fruits it is in the performed state, on entering the body it
is metabolized to provitamin A to be utilized in the body (Polcz & Barbul, 2019a).
The stored form
of vitamin A in the liver is retinyl ester while their active forms are retinal
and retinoic acids. When vitamin A is needed by the body it is converted into
either retinal or retinoic acid depending upon the area where it is needed. Retinal
is used in the vision and retinoic acid is used in gene regulation (Polcz & Barbul, 2019a).
Also, vitamin A
plays role in cell differentiation, immune functions, reproduction, embryonic
development and it is indispensable in wound healing (Polcz & Barbul, 2019b; TRUMBO et al., 2001).
Recommended
daily allowance of vitamin A is 1300mcg/day for or above 19 years of adults.
Recommended daily allowance is the number of essential nutrients considered to
be healthy and safe by the Food and Nutrition Board. Excessive intake of
preformed vitamin A can lead to vitamin A toxicity; clinically manifested by
excessive hair loss and chronic renal failure (K et al., 2003).
According to a case report in 2003 a 46 years
old woman was taking vitamin A supplements and due to its overdose, the woman
got irreversible alopecia (Retinol:
Hypervitaminosis A Leading to Irreversible Alopecia: Case Report - ProQuest,
n.d.). On the contrary, excessive intake
of provitamin A carotenoids is not toxic. Mostly Hypervitaminosis A is caused
by extreme intake of vitamin A (Retinol) supplements not by diet (TRUMBO et al., 2001).
2.2 Vitamin B complex:
Vitamin B
complex consists of eight water-soluble vitamins named B1 to B3, B5 to B7, B9,
and B12. They are naturally supplied by everyday food. Unlike fat-soluble
vitamins (vitamin K, A, D, and E) B complex vitamins cannot be stored in the
body. They stay in the body for a short amount of time and are excreted through
the kidneys. The body needs B complex vitamins in small amounts but frequently.
Vitamin B7 can be synthesized via amino acid tryptophan. It is one of the few
vitamins that can be prepared by the human body. Also, microbial flora
contributes to the synthesis of the vitamin B complex in the intestine (Yoshii et al., 2019).
Among vitamin B
complex only B2 (Riboflavin), B7 (Biotin), B9 (Folate) and, B12 (Cobalamin) are
related to hair loss.
2.2.1
Vitamin
B2 (Riboflavin):
Riboflavin is a
heat-stable vitamin and is used in the accomplishment of various metabolic
pathways of protein, carbohydrates, and lipids providing energy to the body.
Its active forms are flavin
mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). FMN is required for
the synthesis of another B complex vitamin and also it maintains the level of
homocysteine in the blood. According to Health Professional Fact Sheet, its
deficiency can cause skin disorders and hair loss. Riboflavin deficiency is
rare and easily reversible if detected early. Good dietary sources for vitamin
B2 are liver, kidney, leafy vegetables, and legumes (Riboflavin - Health Professional Fact Sheet,
n.d.) (Thiamin, 1998).
2.2.2
Vitamin
B7 (Biotin):
Vitamin B7
generally named Biotin is associated with 5 carboxylation reactions in the human
body and is required for a healthy metabolism. Recommended daily allowance of
Biotin for adults is 30 mcg/day in
U.S. populations. Good dietary sources of biotin are leafy vegetables and
liver. Biotin deficiency can be genetic or can be caused by increased consumption
of raw eggs and is usually indicated by several dermatitis and alopecia; hair
loss (Grootens &
Hartong, 2017).
Particularly speaking Biotin supplements are prevalent to be
beneficial for uncombable hair or brittle nail syndrome (Darwish et al.,
2017). In modern times (2021) Biotin supplementations
are famous for splendid hair and nail growth. Despite its prominence, more
broad-scale research is demanded to support its benefits.
2.2.3
Vitamin
B9 (Folate):
Vitamin B9 is called folate and it is crucial for glucose
metabolism, homeostasis, and DNA repair. The recommended daily allowance of
folate is 400 mcg for adults. Its dietary need can easily be fulfilled by daily
food intake but alcohol abuse can cause its deficiency. Deficiency of folate
cause changes in skin, hair, and nail (Dermatol &
2017, 2017).
In 2017 reported low concentration of RBCs folate level in 68
alopecia patients. (Dermatol & 2017,
2017). The same results were found in another
research. They also concluded the negative correlation between amounts of
folate level with the severity of alopecia areata (M et al., 2014). Good dietary sources of folate are leafy
vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, nuts, beans, and oilseed (Thiamin, 1998).
2.2.4
Vitamin
B12 (Cobalamin):
Vitamin B12 or
cobalamin is important for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and
regulation. They are critical for normal brain functioning and required for the
synthesis of about 100 metabolites. Its recommended daily allowance for adults
is 2.4 mcg in U.S. Cobalamin along with folate have a dominant role in
proliferative hair follicle synthesis and their deficiency causes disturbed
hair production and hair loss. Fish and meat are good dietary sources of
vitamin B12 (Thiamin, 1998).
2.3 Vitamin C:
Vitamin C or
ascorbic acid is required for repairing all body tissues. It cannot be stored
in the body as it is a water-soluble vitamin and also it cannot be synthesized
in the body as one of the enzymes required for its synthesis (L gulonolactone
oxidase) is absent in the human body thus it is an essential micronutrient (LJ & Y, 2010).
Vitamin C is an
antioxidant; it protects the body from oxidative damage. Furthermore, it takes
part in collagen synthesis by hydroxylation. Vitamin C deficiency is called
scurvy clinically manifested by skin modification due to decreased synthesis of
collagen (Maxfield et al., n.d.).
There is little evidence of the relation of
vitamin C with hair growth. According to a study performed in 2009 insulin-like
growth factor-1 was secreted via vitamin C administration which facilitated the
growth of hair shafts. However, that study was performed in-vitro in cultured
human hair follicles rather than in patients with alopecia (MH et al., 2009). More strong shreds
of evidence suggest that vitamin C deficiency is not directly related to hair
loss or alopecia although it is required in iron-deficient patients with
alopecia as vitamin C is required for the absorption, transport, and storage of
iron from the intestine. That is why the doctor prescribes vitamin C with iron (LJ & Y, 2010).
2.4 Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is a
fat-soluble vitamin that can be taken through food and is also synthesized in
the body when Ultraviolet B rays (290nm to 315nm in wavelength) from sunshine
strikes the skin. It has a significant role in the absorption of calcium and
phosphorous. Recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 10 to 20mg for adults.
Vitamin D has five different forms among them vitamin D2 and D3 are the most
common. Although calcidiol the precursor of vitamin D3 is the storage form of
vitamin D and is the best indicator of vitamin D levels in serum. Vitamin D has
an immunomodulatory effect; it prepares the immune system from threats by activating
innate immune responses (Miraglia del Giudice et al., 2018).
Alopecia areata
(AA) is an autoimmune disorder and it is characterized by loss of hair and
patches in the scalp due to the presence of autoantibodies specific to hair
follicles. Vitamin D is reported to have
immunomodulatory effects in many studies, also lower serum levels of vitamin D
are seen in alopecia areata. Some studies support the improvement in AA with
vitamin D supplementation (Gerkowicz et al., 2017 and Darwish et al., 2017).
From the psychological
point of view lower level of vitamin D in hair loss, patients can occur due to
the lack of confidence to socialize with other people, and therefore they
experience sun exposure rarely. Also, there can be seasonal variations in serum
vitamin D concentration as UV light is required to synthesize vitamin D in the skin.
Also different religious and cultural practices effects vitamin D synthesis (Darwish et al., 2017).
Moreover, the relation of Vitamin D deficiency
with hair loss is evidenced by hair loss in patients with vitamin D-dependent
rickets type 2. Good dietary sources for vitamin D are red meat, egg yolks, and
fortified foods (D et al., 2018; Gerkowicz et al., 2017).
2.5 Vitamin E:
Vitamin E
(alpha-tocopherol) is an antioxidant and is a part of the immune defense
mechanism. Free radicals can oxidize polyunsaturated fatty acids present in the
membranes damaging the cell membranes which can lead to deleterious effects.
Vitamin E protects the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Dietary
intake of vitamin E has shown to cause an increase in antibody levels, cell-mediated
and humoral immune responses, thus modulating the immune responses (Lee & Han, 2018).
It is found in
oils, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Recommended daily allowance of vitamin E is
15mg for adults. Lower levels of vitamin E are seen in patients with alopecia
areata (a type of hair loss) but more studies are needed for confirmation (R et al., 2013). Alopecia is
reported with oxidative stress. Due to the antioxidant activity of vitamin E
oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are observed to be reduced in the scalp
and it caused an increase in hair number (Beoy et al., 2010). Both of these studies
are on a small level and further studies are demanded to confirm the role of
vitamin E in improving hair growth in patients with alopecia.
3
CONCLUSION
Vitamins have a crucial
role in hair follicle synthesis and regulation. They are constantly required to
maintain normal hair growth and their deficiency is observed in non-scarring
alopecia. Moreover, vitamin K, B1, B3, B5, and B6, are not related to hair
loss. Also, there is little evidence of the effect of vitamin E on hair growth.
Vitamin C has shown relation to hair growth in in-vitro studies while in-vivo
studies demonstrate that vitamin C is indirectly related to non-scarring
alopecia. It is required to be taken in AA patients with iron deficiency. Hypervitaminosis
A contributes to hair loss. On the contrary, Vitamin D, Folate, Vitamin B12,
Biotin, Riboflavin, and vitamin B12 are shown to be deficient in patients with
non-scarring alopecia {androgenetic alopecia (common balding), telogen
effluvium, and alopecia areata.
4
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Excellent Effort, Keep it Up
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