Vitamin D Supplements Improve Hair Regrowth in patients with Diffuse Hair Loss: Study

Telogen Effluvium (TE) is non-scarring alopecia and becomes acute when occurs at 2-3 months after the triggering events. Vitamin D receptors are found in every cell of the body and have been shown to play a role in bone, neural, and cardiovascular health; immune regulation; and possibly cancer prevention via the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Although it is controversial, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various forms of nonscarring hair loss, including telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and alopecia areata. To fill the knowledge gap, researchers of the Nishtar Medical University, Multan, conducted a study to estimate the prevalence of telogen effluvium (TE) and to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D in the treatment of this problem in women belonging to various cities of south Punjab, Pakistan.

In the present study, researchers included a total of 40 adult women suffering from the problem of TE. Each woman was treated with oral vitamin D3 (200,000 IU) therapy fortnightly and a total of 6 doses were given to each patient. After 15 d of the last dose, researchers assessed the clinical condition of patients and the level of satisfaction was to treatment was recorded.

Key findings of the study:

• Upon evaluation, researchers observed that the patients between 21–30 y of age were found to be more frequently affected with TE compared to 35% of females of age 31–40 y.

• They found a significant improvement in hair growth in young (r=0.457 p<0.003) women and in those, which do not use sunscreen (r=−0.331 p<0.037) but commonly utilize milk or milk protein (r=−0.311 p<0.051).

•They also found that Vitamin D3 therapy resulted in the improvement of the condition in 82.5% of patients of TE.

• They noted that the use of oral vitamin D3 (200,000 IU, fortnightly) for 3 months resulted in significant improvement in hair regrowth in the patient of TE.

The authors concluded, " The overall response to oral vitamin D3 therapy was satisfactory (85%) in terms of hair regrow. The result showed improvement in hair growth in young women those do not use sunscreen but commonly utilize milk or milk protein."

They further added, "Large double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are required to determine the role of vitamin D supplementation and its relationship with micronutrients necessary to avoid occurrence to TE."

For further information:

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnsv/67/1/67_68/_article