Zinc for Hair Loss Prevention
Zinc supports hair retention when deficient; alopecia populations show lower zinc, but blind supplementation in replete people risks copper deficiency without benefit.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 15–30 mg/day with food if deficient or with poor dietary intake; balance with 1–2 mg copper if long-term.
- Expected timeframe
- 3-6 months
Protocol
- form
- Zinc gluconate, sulfate or picolinate taken with food
- duration
- 3-6 months, matching the hair growth cycle
- co factor
- Take with food, separated from iron by at least two hours since they compete for absorption. Evidence is mixed. Zinc is required for keratin synthesis, hair follicle protein production and follicular stem cell function, and severe zinc deficiency causes telogen effluvium - documented clearly in acrodermatitis enteropathica, where zinc replacement reverses hair loss dramatically. In people with normal zinc status, supplementation has not been shown to reduce hair loss, and observational studies linking low serum zinc to alopecia are confounded, since serum zinc is an unreliable status marker and falls during inflammation.
- titration
- Do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level of 40 mg/day - excess zinc can itself cause hair loss
- starting dose
- Correct deficiency rather than supplement empirically. The RDA is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men; deficiency correction typically uses 15-30 mg/day of elemental zinc
Evidence
What the studies say
Association Between Serum Trace Elements Level and Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wu R
The levels of serum VD and zinc were associated with the risk of AA. Supplementation with VD and zinc may become a potential treatment for AA.
Changes of serum trace elements level in patients with alopecia areata: A meta-analysis
Jin W, Zheng H, Shan B
pooled analysis indicated that patients with AA had a lower serum level of zinc
The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP +1 more
Given the role of vitamins and minerals in the hair cycle and immune defense mechanism, large double-blind placebo-cont[rolled trials are needed]
Safety
Caveats
Do not exceed 40 mg/day chronically. Test zinc if on long-term supplementation or with malabsorption.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.