How poor nutrient absorption can lead to hair shedding

Why hair shedding can persist despite a healthy diet, and what nutrient absorption has to do with it

By Brand Connect

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026, 14:54 IST2 min

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You eat a balanced diet. You take your multivitamins. You’re doing “everything right”—but your hair is still falling.

Sound familiar? If yes, the issue may not be what you’re eating—but how well your body is absorbing it.

Poor nutrient absorption is one of the most underrated causes of hair shedding. And it often hides in plain sight.

Eating Well Isn’t Always Enough

Most people assume that eating a healthy meal or taking a supplement guarantees good nutrition. But here’s the catch: nutrients only help your hair if they’re actually absorbed into your bloodstream and delivered to your hair follicles.

If your gut isn’t functioning well, even the best diet or hair vitamin can’t do its job.

What Affects Nutrient Absorption?

Several common issues can block or weaken absorption:

Chronic acidity or bloating
Constipation or irregular bowel movements
Low stomach acid
Frequent use of antacids or antibiotics
Poor gut bacteria (dysbiosis)
Eating too fast or under stress

Each of these makes it harder for your body to break down food and extract the nutrients your hair needs.

Key Nutrients Most Affected

Poor absorption tends to affect:

Iron – Critical for oxygen supply to hair follicles
Vitamin D – Regulates the hair growth cycle
B12 & Folate – Support red blood cell and DNA production
Protein – Needed for building keratin, the core of hair strands
Zinc & Biotin – Help with follicle repair and strength

Even if you’re consuming these nutrients, your body may not be sending enough of them to your hair.

Clues That Point to Absorption Issues

Wondering if this might be your problem? Look out for:

Hair fall despite a good diet or supplements
Digestive issues like gas, bloating, or irregular motions
White spots on nails or brittle nails
Fatigue even after rest
Pale skin, dark circles, or frequent headaches

These symptoms suggest that your digestion—and in turn, your absorption—may need attention.

How to Improve Nutrient Absorption Naturally

Fixing the root cause can help your body use food more efficiently—and support better hair health in the process.

Here’s what helps:

Eat calmly: Sit down, chew slowly, and avoid distractions while eating
Add digestive spices: Ginger, cumin, ajwain, and fennel can improve stomach acid and enzyme flow
Space out supplements: Taking too many at once can cause competition for absorption
Include fermented foods: Curd, kanji, and buttermilk support good gut bacteria
Limit tea/coffee with meals: These can reduce iron absorption
Drink warm water instead of cold with meals: Supports smoother digestion

Over time, these small shifts improve how your body handles nutrients—so more of them actually reach your hair follicles.

Why This Gets Overlooked

Because the link isn’t always obvious. You may not have a full-blown stomach issue—just a sluggish or sensitive gut that quietly blocks absorption over months.

And since most hair products focus on the scalp, this internal issue never gets addressed.

A Holistic Approach That Includes Gut Health

Some platforms now look at this root cause as part of their hair treatment model. Traya, for example, doesn’t just treat the scalp—they evaluate digestive health, absorption ability, and nutrient deficiencies before designing a plan.

This is especially helpful for people who’ve tried everything externally but never felt any real change.

Final Thoughts

You could be feeding your body everything it needs—but if your gut isn’t absorbing it well, your hair won't get the message.

Hair shedding is often a delayed signal of something going wrong inside. Pay attention to your digestion. Support your gut. And give your body the chance to fully benefit from the nutrients you’re already giving it.

The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists.

First Published: Jan 19, 2026, 15:16

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