Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D has gained attention for its potential role in supporting hair health and addressing hair loss or thinning, particularly in the context of certain types of hair loss such as telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. Scientific studies have found that vitamin D receptors are present in hair follicles and play a role in the hair growth cycle. Deficiency in vitamin D has been associated with various forms of hair loss, and some small-scale observational studies have reported lower serum vitamin D levels in individuals experiencing hair thinning or alopecia compared to healthy controls.

However, while there is a plausible biological mechanism and some correlational data, direct evidence supporting vitamin D supplementation as an effective treatment for hair loss is limited and inconclusive. Randomized controlled trials are few, and results have been mixed; some studies show modest benefit, particularly in individuals with documented deficiency, while others show minimal or no effect. Thus, vitamin D supplementation may be justified in those with deficiency, but its use as a general therapy for hair loss is not robustly supported by strong scientific evidence.

In summary, the evidence is suggestive but not definitive. Vitamin D may play a role in hair follicle function, and its supplementation is reasonable in cases of deficiency, but it should not be considered a primary or standalone treatment for hair loss or thinning. More high-quality research is needed to clarify its therapeutic potential.

More about vitamin D
More about Hair (loss or thinning)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis