Nutritional factors and hair loss.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search methodology.
PubMed 12190640 · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.x
What was done
Narrative review of published literature examining nutritional influences on hair loss, focusing on protein-energy malnutrition, iron deficiency, l-lysine, and zinc in individuals with persistent increased hair shedding.
What was found
The abstract reports that low serum ferritin concentrations are associated with female hair loss, suggesting a target ferritin threshold of 70 µg/L (with erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 10 mm/h). Double-blind data confirmed open-study observations that a significant proportion of women with increased hair shedding responded to combined iron and l-lysine therapy. The abstract notes no evidence supporting low serum zinc as a cause of hair loss and highlights that excessive supplement intake may trigger hair loss. Specific numerical outcome values, sample sizes, and response percentages were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Highlights the potential clinical relevance of assessing iron stores and amino acid intake in persistent female hair shedding, while advising against indiscriminate nutritional supplementation.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic search protocol and formal study quality appraisal. The abstract provides no precise statistical metrics, sample sizes, or demographic details, and primarily discusses female hair shedding rather than other distinct alopecias.
Cited by
- supports Deficiencies of the amino acid L-lysine are linked with hair loss.