Vitamins for Hair
Hair is not only an extension of the body it is also a symbol of beauty, health, vitality and status. There are many things that can impact the health of your hair from the shampoos and conditioners you use to the food you eat. Other things that can impact the health and appearance of your hair include the amount of sleep you get, whether or not you smoke, hormonal imbalances and even vitamins.
The nutrients you ingest play an important role in the health of your hair as well because nutrients can help fortify the hair follicle. Whereas a healthy diet can help the hair, an unhealthy diet can wreak havoc on your hair.
Just like the body needs proper nutrition to thrive, the hair also needs the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to thrive as well. If you frequently diet or deprive yourself of adequate amounts of protein or other healthy foods, your hair will eventually tell the story.
If you have been looking for the perfect vitamins for your hair, you may not need to look any further than your next meal because many foods contain vitamins and nutrients that can help your hair shine.
One of the most important vitamins for hair is probably biotin, which is a form of vitamin B. Biotin helps your body break down fats, carbohydrates and protein and it can be found naturally in foods like halibut, Swiss chard, liver and even goats milk.
Other kinds of B vitamins can help with hair loss and hair growth
Vitamin B5 or Panthenol is widely used in shampoos and other kinds of products to help increase hair thickness. B12 deficiency can lead to anemia, which can stunt hair growth. Foods like grass fed beef; egg yolks and free-range poultry can help boost your intake of vitamin B12 as well.
Salmon is rich in protein and vitamin D and salmon also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are also found in other cold-water fish. Your body cannot manufacture these kinds of fatty acids, which are helpful when it comes to growing a healthy head of hair. Nearly 3% of your hair shaft is made of these types of fatty acids and omega-3s are also in your cell membranes and in the skin of your scalp as well.
The natural oils provided by omega-3s can help keep your skin, scalp and hair well hydrated also. Other kinds of fish that have omega-3 fatty acids are herring, sardines, mackerel and trout. You can also find omega-3s in pumpkin seeds and avocados.
Foods like walnuts also provide wonderful vitamins for hair because they have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts are also high in vitamin E and biotin, which helps protect your cells from DNA damage.
Walnut oil can also be used in place of walnuts or in place of canola or other types of oils. Other types of foods that are good for the hair are foods like sweet potatoes, oysters, eggs and spinach. Foods like lentils, Greek yogurt, blueberries and tomatoes also contain many healthy vitamins for hair.
Protein is also important for the hair because a lack of protein can lead to hair loss and a dry itchy scalp
Foods like oysters are rich in zinc and protein and therefore very healthy for the hair. The hair is made up of nearly 97% protein, so any food that contains protein is good for the health of the hair.
Sweet potatoes are a wonderful source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps produce oils that can help your scalp stay hydrated as well. Carrots also contain beta-carotene, which is the precursor for vitamin A.
Eggs, which are a great source of protein, also contain selenium, sulfur, iron and zinc. Iron helps the hair follicles because it helps transport oxygen to the hair. Too little iron can cause the hair to fall out.
Foods like spinach contain nutrients like folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene and iron that can help the hair and scalp maintain healthy circulation.
Too little vitamin C in your diet can lead to hair breakage and foods like blueberries can help you give your hair what it needs to stay healthy and hydrated.
Horsetail, which can be taken orally, is a good herb for healthy hair because it is filled with a vital nutrient called silica, which helps strengthen the bones, hair and the nails.
Herbs like rosemary and lavender are also good for the hair because rosemary used topically can help promote hair growth and increase scalp health. Lavender can also be good for the hair because it can help increase the shine and beauty of the hair. A vitamin D supplement can also be used for things like dermatitis or eczema.
If you sweat a lot you many be losing valuable amounts of zinc, so beefing up your intake of zinc is a great way to help give your hair the nutrients it needs. A B-complex vitamin is a good choice also because it contains biotin, niacin and something called cobalamin, which can help restore the shine and thickness of the hair.
You should always consult with your doctor when taking any kinds of supplements, especially if you are on prescription medications or if you have any kind of ongoing or chronic health condition.
Vitamins for hair like Biotin, Vitamin B and even vitamin E are a great way to help your hair stay strong and healthy. You can find many of these vitamins for hair in the foods you eat every day and your body can produce vitamin D naturally if you sit out in the sun for a 10-15 minutes a day.
It pays to do your homework when it comes to selecting vitamins for the hair, because what you eat on the inside eventually shows on the outside. If you take steps to eat a healthy, well balanced diet your hair will shine.
