Can taking zinc make your hair fall out?
For most people, taking zinc doesn't have any effect on the hair in any way. However, there will be some people who experience a reduction in daily shedding - especially if they had low zinc to begin with.
Can zinc be harmful? Yes, too much zinc can be harmful. Signs of too much zinc include nausea, dizziness, headaches, upset stomach, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If you take too much zinc for a long time, you could have problems such as lower immunity, low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, and low copper levels.
Over-supplementation of certain nutrients, including selenium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E, has actually been linked to hair loss [4,8–11].
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
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.
Iron. Iron deficiency is a very common form of nutrient deficiency and a major cause of hair loss. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the bloodstream. Without enough iron, the blood cells cannot deliver enough oxygen to the body, resulting in symptoms like hair loss, brittle nails, and fatigue.
Barnett, PhD, a scientist in Tufts' HNRCA Nutritional Immunology Laboratory who has studied zinc, replies: “The Upper Limit (UL) of the essential mineral zinc intake for adults is 40 milligrams per day. This includes intake from dietary, fortified and supplementary sources.
Recommended Amounts. RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19+ years is 11 mg a day for men and 8 mg for women. Pregnancy and lactation requires slightly more at 11 mg and 12 mg, respectively.
The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults and 4 mg of zinc a day for infants under age 6 months. Don't use intranasal zinc. This form of zinc has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell.
Sudden hair loss is typically a sign of two conditions: telogen effluvium or alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is commonly caused by stress, which increases the natural rate of hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes your body to attack its hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
Why is my hair suddenly falling out?
Possible causes of hair loss include stress, poor diet, and underlying medical conditions. Everyone experiences hair shedding, and it happens to each of us every day. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle, more on days you wash your hair.
Excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced one the following stressors: Lost 20 pounds or more. Given birth. Experiencing lots of stress (caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
Deficiencies in several nutrients — including some B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, and zinc — may contribute to hair loss.