5 Best Vitamins For Hair Growth
Hair requires a mixture of vitamins and minerals to be healthy and grow. Experts say that all the vitamins for hair growth contain B vitamins, vitamin E, vitamin C, iron, protein, and vitamin D.
Consuming a diet lacking the right nutrients can lead to hair loss.
Read Below the 5 best vitamins for hair growth.
B–12 Vitamin
One of the best-known vitamins for hair growth is B-12 vitamin. It plays an important role in cell division, helps create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp which promote hair growth.
Studies link B12 vitamin deficiency with hair loss. Adequate levels of this vitamin are needed to promote healthy hair growth.
Because the human body doesn’t produce vitamin B12, it’s important to get the nutrient from your diet.
The primary dietary sources of vitamin B12 are animal-based foods such as milk, eggs, fish, poultry, meat, and dairy.
This vitamin doesn’t exist in plant-based foods, that’s why vegetarians and vegans should add B12 supplements or B12-fortified foods to their diet.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin. It is rich in antioxidants, fights off free radicals that cause brittle hair and hair follicle damage, it also increases collagen production which improves hair health.
Low intake of vitamin C in your diet may result in dry, splitting hair and low hair growth.
Therefore, it’s important to take vitamin C through your diet (Citrus fruits, potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, and cabbages) have high concentrations of vitamin C.
If you can’t get adequate amounts of vitamin C through your diet due to some reasons, you may need a supplement.
Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, a necessary mineral for hair growth.
Vitamin E
Hair can look dull and frizzy when it’s damaged. Vitamin E may help support a healthy scalp and hair since it has natural antioxidant effects that could assist with maintaining hair growth.
Vitamin E has powerful antioxidant properties that help reduce free radical damage and protect the cells.
Experts suggest that vitamin E can help improve the scalp and hair health by increasing blood flow, moisturizing the scalp and preventing excess oil production.
Vitamin E is found in almost all foods such as sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, mango, kiwi, blackberries, avocado, red sweet pepper, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, lobster, salmon.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that plays a role in the body’s functions including the skin and hair.
Low levels of vitamin D may cause several problems with hair loss.
Vitamin D plays a role in the creation of new hair follicles, the tiny pores in the scalp from which new hairs grow. When the body doesn’t have enough of this vitamin, the hair may be affected.
Getting adequate amounts of vitamin D can promote hair growth and regrowth.
Most people don’t get enough vitamin D from food, therefore, direct contact with sun rays can help your body produce this vitamin.
Dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, cod liver oil, fortified foods, some mushrooms.
Vitamin A
Diets deficient in vitamin A may cause several problems, including hair loss. Vitamin A is an antioxidant micronutrient, also known as retinol, it helps in cell and tissue development.
Vitamin A has positive effects on the hair, it helps the scalp produce sebum to nourish and protect the hair. It also strengthens hair to reduce breakage.
It’s important to get enough vitamin A, however, too much can be dangerous and may cause hair loss.
Foods containing high amounts of vitamin A include orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and mangos, green vegetables (spinach and peas), eggs, cheese, milk, cod liver oil.
Food is the best source of the vitamins you need to support healthy hair growth. However, if you can’t get enough in your diet, supplements may be helpful.
