Magnesium may not appear essential for hair growth; however, it can cause hair loss due to disruption in various metabolic processes like protein metabolism, altered immune responses, and more.
High doses of magnesium from supplements or medications can cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. In addition, the magnesium in supplements can interact with some types of antibiotics and other medicines.
Over-supplementation of certain nutrients, including selenium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E, has actually been linked to hair loss [4,8–11].
A Fine Line to Walk
This includes hair, and it can cause hair loss. Too much zinc can lead to health issues, as well as not enough zinc. One of these issues is a deficiency in other minerals our bodies need, including copper, magnesium and iron, which can lead to hair loss.
Certain metabolic disorders or loss of electrolytes (minerals and trace elements in the body including calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphate and chloride) can also become one of the main causes of hair loss.
Magnesium Prevents Calcium Build-Up
These vital vessels become stiff and inflexible and unable to support adequate blood circulation to the scalp. Reduced blood flow to the scalp deprives your hair follicles of essential nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth.
While iron and zinc help with hair's shine and luster, magnesium plays an important role in promoting follicle hair growth, which results in healthy hair growth. Most experts agree that magnesium is nature's anti-stress mineral, which is a major component in hair loss.
Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. This type of baldness is not usually caused by a disease. It is related to aging, heredity, and changes in the hormone testosterone. Inherited, or pattern baldness, affects many more men than women.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy body — but it's probably not going to affect your hair.
Both vitamin D deficiency, as well as vitamin D excess, may cause hair loss.”
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
Vitamin B-
Vitamin B is one of the best-known vitamins to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. It helps create red blood cells which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles.
Nassar says that taking a magnesium supplement every day likely isn't unsafe for most people. Just be sure you're not taking too much magnesium. The maximum dietary allowance for most adults is around 400 mg or less.
UL: The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause harmful effects on health. The UL for magnesium is 350 milligrams from supplements only. High-dose supplements can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and cramping in some people.
Hormone therapy
If hormone imbalances due to menopause, for example, cause hair loss, doctors may recommend some form of hormone therapy to correct them. Some possible treatments include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy for either estrogen or progesterone.
As with male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness comes from hormone imbalances, specifically dihydrotestosterone imbalances, or DHT. This hormone is similar in structure to testosterone, but it is significantly more potent [3].
If the part in your hair is widening, you find bald spots, or you're shedding more than 125 hairs per day, you're likely experiencing hair loss and need to see a dermatologist. There are a couple types of hair loss and several possible causes.
Magnesium is important for maintaining muscle and nervous system function, cardiac electrical properties, and for supporting immune system as well as regulating glucose and insulin metabolism [2,3].