Vitamins For Hair Growth: Vitamin D
Adequate Vitamin D levels play a role in healthy hair growth. A recent study found that Vitamin D enhances follicle genesis and increases hair density. (Wow!) Vitamin D is intimately involved in so many other key functions of our bodies- including the expression of over 3,000 genes. “D” plays a major role in our total health and supports natural hair growth.
A Key Vitamin for Hair Growth: Vitamin D Deficiency effects 85% of Americans
Vitamin D is an especially important vitamin for hair growth because so few food sources contain sufficient amounts. Luckily, we don’t need to rely exclusively on our diet for vitamin D because our bodies manufacture vitamin D when the sun’s rays meet our eyes and skin. Unfortunately many of us spend a lot of time cooped up indoors with less and less sun exposure. When we do make it out to play we may slather on sunscreen, which decreases our bodies’ ability to manufacture vitamin D by 99%.
Discover the 5 Essential Habits for Hair Growth
Adding the Essential Vitamins for
Hair Growth
As I mentioned vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic, so most individuals will benefit from supplementation. How much vitamin D you need depends on how often you get healthy sun exposure and your current serum levels. If you get little or no sun exposure then you are probably deficient! I recommend getting a baseline reading and working with a licensed clinician before starting a supplement regimen.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which means that your body stores it inside of your fat cells. Though it’s rare, vitamin D storage can build up and could lead to vitamin D toxicity. Order a vitamin D 25-Hydroxy blood test from a local clinic and work with your doctor to find out if you’re deficient. If your results are below 20ng per mL, then you are Vitamin D deficient while levels below 30ng per mL is still considered insufficient.
The scientific community recommends taking anywhere from 800-5,000 IU’s daily. The Vitamin D Council recommends starting with 5,000 IU’s of vitamin D3 daily. But again, don’t do it alone!
Play in the Sun!
Your body is an amazing product of evolution. Every single one of your 37 trillion cells has a vitamin D receptor. (Wow!) As I mentioned earlier, your skin produces vitamin D every time you’re out in the sun. It is therapeutic and calming to lay out and enjoy the heat of the sun. If you don’t have special risks a little sun exposure is healthy.
Our bodies produce 10,000 to 25,000 IU of vitamin D before the skin starts to pink or bronze. This can mean as little as 15 minutes in the sun for someone with fairer skin. If your complexion is any shade of chocolate, beware the melanin in darker skin protects the skin from UV radiation, but also reduces Vitamin D absorption.
I am all about protecting your skin from over exposure, but a little sunshine goes a long way for your vitamin D levels and mental disposition. 🙂
>> Did you decide to add a vitamin D supplement? I remember feeling my energy lift after first starting my “D” (my levels were super low). Have you noticed a difference in your mood, energy levels, or thickness of your hair? Let me know in the comment section below!
2 thoughts on “Vitamins for Hair Growth: Vitamin D”
I work for a chiropractor and had been experiencing thinning hair and loss, so when I was encouraged to get a blood panel I was surprised that even though taking 1500 msg of Vitamin D daily I was still deficient! I’m fair skinned and burn easily w/skin cancer in my family, so I avoid too much sun exposure. I am upping my Vitanin D to 5,000/day and can’t wait to see the difference. Will keep you posted! Thanks for the confirmation!
Hi Nancy! I hope the new dose of Vitamin D creates a tangible difference for you! It takes awhile for our bodies to rebuild Vitamin D stores- especially during the winter months. I’m working on rebuilding my D levels right now too! It’s best to get retested after 3-4 months so you can readjust the dosage. Keep in touch!
-Cassy