Just as too little zinc may impair the immune system, too much zinc may do the same thing. And while too little zinc may negatively impact hair growth, some research also suggests that consuming excess zinc can lead to hair shedding or hair loss.
Over-supplementation of certain nutrients, including selenium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E, has actually been linked to hair loss [4,8–11].
There could be another underlying issue causing your hair loss or other symptoms, so always consult with a medical professional first,” Dr. Ben Lynch, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Seeking Health. The recommended amounts of zinc are 11mg for males and 8mg for females a day, which can change with age.
Zinc supports hair growth, strengthens hair follicles and increases thickness. Just as zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, so can excess levels of zinc. Taking zinc supplements in moderation with proper medical advice is key.
For most people, taking zinc doesn't have any effect on the hair in any way.
When looking at the minerals needed for hair growth, one name stands above all others: zinc. Zinc is a big player in the body, necessary for a functioning immune system and physical growth. In fact, it's so important it's classified as an “essential mineral”, meaning your body needs it to be healthy.
Regulates Calcium Levels: Magnesium helps to regulate calcium levels in the body, which is important for healthy hair growth. Calcium buildup in the hair follicles can lead to hair breakage and hair loss, and magnesium helps to prevent this by ensuring that calcium is properly regulated.
Zinc is an essential nutrient for hair health, and a deficiency may lead to hair loss and damage. Topical and oral zinc supplementation can help improve hair growth, count, density, and keratin content. Oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetables are common sources of dietary zinc.
It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with 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.
Your body doesn't need a large amount of zinc. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 8 - 11 mg. It's common to have slightly low levels of zinc, but taking a multivitamin, plus eating a healthy diet, should give you all the zinc you need.
Both vitamin D deficiency, as well as vitamin D excess, may cause hair loss.”
Can too much magnesium make your hair fall out? No, a taking magnesium supplements a lot does not cause hair loss. Magnesium levels are strictly maintained in the body, and the kidneys remove any excess magnesium. However, a high intake of certain magnesium salts like these may cause gastrointestinal issues.
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.
Zinc helps to keep hormone levels regulated, which is one of the reasons why it is so effective in preventing and treating hair loss.
Zinc has an important role to play in supporting your hair growth in that it supports your body in creating proteins that will soon be used in hair formation. Having a zinc deficiency is found to be directly related to alopecia as well as other hair loss including seasonal.
What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency? Zinc deficiency can result in skin changes that look like eczema at first. There may be cracks and a glazed appearance on the skin, often found around the mouth, nappy area and hands. The rash doesn't get better with moisturisers or steroid creams or lotions.
There is some thought that grey hair may reflect a deficiency in certain nutrients including the minerals zinc and copper. Taking 15 mg of zinc along with 1 mg of copper each day may possibly help to prevent or delay the onset of grey hair.
The daily intake recommended by several reviews for people aged more than 70 are 11 mg for males and 8 mg for women with 40 mg being the top tolerable dosage (56, 59). Nine European reports indicate needs of Zn that range from 7 to 14 mg in males and 4.9–9 mg in women (60).