Vitamins for Hair Growth

May 29, 2010 Priya Chauhan

Nutrients that prevent hair loss and promote a healthy scalp include biotin, vitamins E and A, and zinc. Choose a supplement that promotes healthy hair.Good nutrition is essential for good health and also important for healthy hair. Thinning hair can be caused by nutritional deficiencies and increasing consumption of certain vitamins and minerals can aid hair growth.
Biotin for Optimal Hair Growth

Biotin or vitamin B7 is well known for hair growth and can be used as a supplement to prevent excessive hair loss and to keep hair for longer. Good food sources of biotin include almonds, brown rice, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, lentils, oats, raspberries, sunflower seeds, tomatoes and walnuts.
Vitamin A for Healthy Hair

Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A and helps maintain normal hair growth. Vitamin A is important for healthy hair but too much vitamin A can cause hair loss by increasing the sebum in hair follicles. Therefore the intake of vitamin A should be carefully monitored. Vitamin A sources include broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, peppers and squash.
Vitamin E helps with the growth of hair possibly by improving circulation and preventing hair loss. Vitamin E also helps to build stronger hair, prevent split ends and repair hair damage.
Zinc to Prevent Hair Loss

Zinc along with the mineral selenium can help the body effectively use proteins and hormones to produce more hair. Vitamins A, C, E and B6 help these minerals in promoting hair regrowth. Like vitamin A, too much zinc can hinder the absorption of other minerals such as iron, copper and magnesium leading to hair loss. Sources of zinc include baked beans, chickpeas, dried yeast, pumpkin seeds and tahini. Folic acid promotes healthy cell growth and aids hair regeneration. Taking folic acid vitamins can help to prevent future hair loss. Male baldness can occur when folic acid deficiency occurs.

Folic Acid and Iron for Hair Growth

Folic acid promotes healthy cell growth and aids hair regeneration. Taking folic acid vitamins can help to prevent future hair loss. Male baldness can occur when folic acid deficiency occurs. Iron deficiency can also cause hair loss so consuming adequate levels of iron and folic acid is important for good hair growth. Food sources of folic acid include whole grains, chickpeas, lentils, sunflower seeds and spinach.
Choosing a Hair Supplement

There are numerous supplements available to boost hair health and bring fast hair growth. Read consumer reviews of supplements on neutral websites such as Amazon to find out if they have worked for other people. Make sure that a supplement is of good quality by checking the following:

  • Supplements adhere to FDA requirements.
  • Read the small print. Is there a money back guarantee?
  • Supplements should contain essential vitamins and minerals for hair growth.
  • Compare the amount of nutrients in each table.

Essential nutrients helpful for hair growth include biotin, magnesium, zinc and vitamins B6, C and E. Supplements may contain other useful herbs such as ginkgo biloba, He Shou Wu, echinacea and saw palmetto. Supplements for hair contain beneficial nutrients that increase circulation, balance male hormones and thyroid functioning, promoting hair growth.
There are many nutritional supplements claiming to support hair growth and it is advisable to seek medical advice as they may interfere with other medications, treatments or illnesses. Biotin, zinc and other vitamins help to support healthy hair growth and can be consumed through dietary food sources or supplements. Read Hair Loss Solutions – A Diet for Healthy Locks for more advice on getting nutrients for healthy hair through diet and Natural Hair Loss Treatments and Prevention for topical remedies for hair loss.

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