How Vitamin D Deficiency Affects Hair Loss

Vitamin D Deficiency and Hair Loss in Dartmouth, NS

Have you ever noticed that you shed hair during the winter months or that your hair growth slows significantly? In Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, these seasonal changes are especially common due to reduced sunlight exposure during winter. If these symptoms are only affecting you during the colder months, you may be experiencing Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Canadian Winters

Canadians know that winter brings a number of challenges to our day-to-day lives. Leaving the house requires multiple thick layers of clothing to protect from the cold and just getting to your car can involve shoveling your way through a snow drift! While we all love to commiserate over the terrible weather, one winter challenge not everyone may be aware of is the increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency.

Why Winter Increases Vitamin D Deficiency in Nova Scotia

We can obtain Vitamin D from eating certain foods, but it is also synthesized when we expose our body to sunlight, which is why Vitamin D is often referred to as the ‘sunshine vitamin’.

Unfortunately, winter brings with it shorter days and less opportunities for Canadians to be exposed to natural sunlight. Many people leave the house in the morning when it is still dark out and by the time they start heading home after work the sun will already be setting.

The frigid weather also means that fewer people want to spend time outdoors, even when the sun is out. As a result, the risk of vitamin D deficiency in Canada more than doubles from November to March and it’s estimated that roughly a quarter of Canadians will experience insufficient levels of vitamin D.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D influences many aspects of our health, including promoting hair growth, good bone & muscle health and supporting our immune system. Here are a few signs that may indicate you are deficient in Vitamin D.

·        Increased fatigue and feelings of lethargy

·        Mood changes, including symptoms of anxiety and depression

·        Muscle aches, weakness and cramps

·        Bone pain

·        Increased frequency of illness

·        Hair loss or slow hair growth

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms, we recommend reaching out to your healthcare provider for testing.

How Vitamin D Deficiency Impacts Hair Loss

In addition to promoting good bone, muscle and immune health, Vitamin D also supports hair growth cycles and the creation of new hair follicles. New hair follicle formation allows for the growth of new hairs, helps to maintain hair thickness and can prevent existing hair loss.

Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to hair thinning and slower hair growth and may also contribute to certain types of alopecia.

How to Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency-Related Hair Loss

If you’re concerned about your Vitamin D levels and want to avoid any disruptions to your hair growth as result of Vitamin D deficiency, there are a number of things you can do to help maintain your hair health.

Ways to Boost Your Vitamin D Levels in Winter

·        Take Vitamin D Supplements: Vitamin D is available as either Vitamin D2 or D3 supplements and most medical experts recommend that the average adult take between 600 IU – 800 IU daily.

·        Consume Foods High in Vitamin D: Foods that are naturally high in vitamin D include fatty fish (such as salmon and tuna), egg yolks and mushrooms. Most dairy products and dairy alternatives, such as oat milk, are also fortified with Vitamin D.

·        Get More Exposure to Sunlight: While it might be unappealing to spend time outdoors during the winter, even a brief stroll on a sunny day can help improve your Vitamin D levels. Provided the temperatures allow you to do so safely, spending 15-30 minutes outside with your face exposed to the sun will allow your body to produce Vitamin D naturally.

Your Hair Restoration Journey Starts Here

While Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to hair shedding, there are often multiple factors impacting hair loss, such as hormone imbalances, stress or genetic factors. At Ultra Hair Solutions, we’re familiar with the common causes of hair loss in Canada and we take a holistic approach to hair restoration solutions. We know that effectively treating hair loss means treating the underlying causes, whether that be an underlying medical condition or a nutritional deficiency.

As the premier hair clinic in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, we have the hair restoration expertise to help you discover the cause of your hair loss, navigate the various treatment options available to you and meet your hair growth goals.

Contact us today to book a consultation. Call 902-429-8300.