What Nutrients or Vitamins Relate to Hair Loss?

Nutrition plays a role in some types of hair loss. Too little iron, zinc, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folic acid in your diet can make fall out, turn brittle or break off. Other types of hair loss, however, are not greatly impacted by nutrition; genetics, stress, hormones and disease play a much bigger role. Determine which type of hair loss you have before buying supplements or changing your diet.

Types of Hair Loss

• If you're experiencing hair loss, you're experiencing some form of alopecia. The most common type is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), which accounts for 95 percent of all hair loss. Known commonly as "male pattern baldness," AGA affects both men and women and is caused by genetics and hormones. Though you can't reverse your AGA with miracle creams, shampoos, supplements or dietary changes, several treatments, including some nutrient-based treatments, may help.

  Alopecia areata is another common type of hair loss that affects men, women and children. It causes small, round bald patches and brittle hair. Alopecia areata is often, but not always, temporary and may resolve itself on its own.

  Telogen effluvium (TE) is the loss or shedding of hair caused by stress, dietary deficiencies, chemicals or radiation. If you're suffering from this condition, it will most likely go away when the factor or factors causing it are resolved.

Nutrition Therapies for Hair Loss

• If your hair loss is due to AGA, you may want to try taking zinc. According to Follicle.com, zinc may inhibit dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone that causes AGA. The herb saw palmetto is often used for AGA treatment as well. In fact, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, researchers believe that a combination of beta-sitosterol and saw palmetto can promote hair growth in men with AGA.

  Alopecia areta is believed to be an autoimmune disease and is generally treated with corticosteroids, tretinoin or monoxidil. If you'd like to try a nutritional treatment, zinc or biotin supplements may help. Be aware that using zinc for this condition requires very high doses, according to Follicle.com, and this can have such side effects as diarrhea and vomiting. Biotin supplements, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, will make a difference only if you have an underlying deficiency of this vitamin.

  Two common causes of telogen effluvium (TE) are protein deficiencies and iron deficiencies. Iron deficiencies are especially common in pre-menopausal women. People on weight loss diets or those living vegetarian lifestyles are also at risk for increased shedding or hair loss due to these deficiencies. If you're a dieter or a vegetarian looking for good sources of protein and iron try tofu, kale, beans, chickpeas, eggs, yogurt and nuts.

  Other dietary deficiencies, including zinc, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, can also cause TE. If you are diagnosed with one of these deficiencies, however, the American Hair Loss Association warns against rapidly loading up with supplements. High doses of nutrients like iron or vitamin A can cause an array of physical complications---including hair loss.