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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- MedlinePlus; Hypothyroidism; April 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines; Mayo Clinic staff; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Sodium in Diet; May 2010
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Salt & Hair Loss
Iodized table salt is a good source of both iodine and sodium, and these minerals are essential for many bodily functions, including hair growth. Furthermore, if you become deficient in iodine, you may develop hypothyroidism, and one of the symptoms of this condition is hair loss 3. On the other hand, getting too much iodine and sodium can have adverse effects on your health. Talk to your doctor about the amount of salt you should consume.
Iodine
Without enough iodine, your thyroid cannot function properly, and this can lead to irregular hair growth and even loss, as well as hypothyroidism 3. It is rare for a person in the United States to develop a iodine deficiency, since this mineral is found in table salt. But if you do develop hypothyroidism, you may experience such symptoms as fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, muscle pain, depression and constipation, as well as thinning hair 3. To avoid this, adults should get between 120 and 150 mcg of iodine a day. The primary source of iodine is table salt, and you can also get it from shellfish, garlic and sesame seeds.
Sodium
Minerals for Fingernails and Fine Hair
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Salt also contains sodium, which helps your body maintain its balance of fluids, as well as transmit communications between your nerves. Additionally, your blood volume and blood pressure depend on iodine to stay regulated. This helps keep your body functioning at its best, and proper bodily health is essential for proper hair growth. However, there are no known direct associations between sodium intake and hair loss. Sodium chloride, which is found in table salt, is the most common form of sodium, and 40 percent of salt is comprised of this mineral. You should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, which is the equivalent of 1 tsp of table salt.
- Salt also contains sodium, which helps your body maintain its balance of fluids, as well as transmit communications between your nerves.
- This helps keep your body functioning at its best, and proper bodily health is essential for proper hair growth.
Too Much Salt
While both iodine and sodium are essential for proper health and hair growth, eating too much salt and building up high levels of these minerals can be dangerous. Too much iodine can actually inhibit your thyroid’s production of hormones, which can in turn result in hypothyroidism and subsequent hair loss 3. Getting more than between 160 and 600 mcg of iodine, or what you would consume from salt, can be harmful to your health, and doses in excess of 2,000 mcg can be toxic. More than 2,300 mg of sodium can result in high blood pressure and fluid buildup, as well as increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
- While both iodine and sodium are essential for proper health and hair growth, eating too much salt and building up high levels of these minerals can be dangerous.
- More than 2,300 mg of sodium can result in high blood pressure and fluid buildup, as well as increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
Additional Considerations
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If you are experiencing hair loss, it may not be associated with your salt intake or lack thereof. Your health care provider can help determine the cause. See your doctor if you have noticed any changes in your hair growth, or if you suspect you may have a deficiency of iodine or sodium. Additionally, if you have any symptoms of hypothyroidism, seek medical attention as well, as this can be a serious condition that requires medical treatment 3.
- If you are experiencing hair loss, it may not be associated with your salt intake or lack thereof.
- See your doctor if you have noticed any changes in your hair growth, or if you suspect you may have a deficiency of iodine or sodium.
Related Articles
References
- Huntington College of Health Sciences; Have a “Good Hair Day;” Gene Bruno, MS, MHS
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Iodine; June 2009
- MedlinePlus; Hypothyroidism; April 2010
- MedlinePlus; Sodium in Diet; May 2010
- Ahad F, Ganie SA. Iodine, Iodine metabolism and Iodine deficiency disorders revisited. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2010;14(1):13-17.
- Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Understanding thyroid tests. Updated 2018.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2001) Chapter 1: Dietary Reference Intake for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Bethesda, Maryland: NIH.
- Yarrington C, Pearce EN. Iodine and pregnancy. J Thyroid Res. 2011;2011:934104. doi:10.4061/2011/934104
- Office of Dietary Supplements: National Institutes of Health. Iodine: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Bethesda, Maryland. Updated September 26, 2018.
- Andersson M, Karumbunathan V, Zimmermann MB. Global iodine status in 2011 and trends over the past decade. J Nutr. 2012;142(4):744-50. doi:10.3945/jn.111.149393
- Pearce EN. The American Thyroid Association: statement on universal salt iodization. Thyroid. 2017;27(2):137. doi:10.1089/thy.2016.0678
- Luo Y, Kawashima A, Ishido Y, et al. Iodine excess as an environmental risk factor for autoimmune thyroid disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2014;15(7):12895-912. doi:10.3390/ijms150712895
- Sun X, Shan Z, Teng W. Effects of increased iodine intake on thyroid disorders. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2014;29(3):240-7. doi:10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.240
- Connelly KJ, Boston BA, Pearce EN, et al. Congenital hypothyroidism caused by excess prenatal maternal iodine ingestion. J Pediatr. 2012;161(4):760-2. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.05.057
- American Thyroid Association. Iodine deficiency.
- Teng W, Shan Z, Teng X, et al. Effect of iodine intake on thyroid diseases in China. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:2783-93. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa054022.
Writer Bio
Lynne Sheldon has over 12 years of dance experience, both in studios and performance groups. She is an avid runner and has studied several types of yoga. Sheldon now works as a freelance writer, editor and book reviewer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and art history from Boston University and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts in writing from Pacific University.