Hair needs a variety of nutrients to grow healthily and gain a luscious shine.
While many factors such as age, genetics and hormones affect hair growth, hair loss van often be linked to a deficiency in certain nutrients.
Listed below are some of the key vitamins and nutrients you need to help with hair growth.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is key to the development of all cells. This includes hair, the human body's quickest growing tissue.
Vitamin A also aids in the production of sebum, an oily substance produced by skin glands. Sebum hydrates the scalp and contributes to the health of the hair.
Diets that lack Vitamin A can often lead to increase hair loss and weaker roots.
B vitamins (Biotin)
There are many B vitamins however the one most linked to healthy hair is Biotin. A lack of Biotin in the body has been linked, in several studies, to hair loss.
The other B vitamins are also important. They are involved in the creation of red blood cells. Red blood cells are needed in our body to carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles to help maintain the cells health.
If you have a vegan or vegetarian diet, then Vitamin B12 is essential to take as an additional supplement as the only natural source is Animal products. Our Vegan Multivitamin contains vitamin B12.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that aids in the prevention of free radical-induced oxidative damage, which can stifle hair development and cause premature hair-ageing.
Vitamin C is also key in the production collagen, which is a protein that is essential for hair structure.
Lastly, Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron in the body. Iron is also needed for hair development.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a role in hair production and growth. Low levels of Vitamin D are thought to be linked to hair loss. Vitamin Deficiency is particularly an issue for African American, Hispanic and South Asian individuals.
Besides the sun rays, a general multivitamin containing Vitamin D is a good subsiding source for most as Vitamin levels should not be too high either. If you are opting for a higher strength vitamin D supplement then, taken in short burst cycles is most effective.
Vitamin E
Though there is less research done into Vitamin E as an agent to prevent hair loss and increase hair growth, it is also a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative stress, exactly like Vitamin C.
This suggests that it can have an impact in achieving those luscious locks.
Iron
Iron is needed for the formation of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells responsible for the transportation of oxygen to cells and carbon dioxide away from them. This is important in retaining the health of the hair cells and allowing them to become stronger and grow.
A lack of iron in the body (anaemia) is one of the most major causes of hair loss.
Zinc
Zinc is key n regulating every phase of the healing and repair process for cells. It also keeps the production glands around the hair follicles efficient.
A deficiency of Zinc prevents repair of the hair follicles and hence makes the hair roots weaker. This in turn can lead to hair loss.
Protein (Collagen)
Lastly, Hair is made of protein. The two most abundant proteins in hair are keratin and collagen. However, several parts of keratin can also be found in collagen, making collagen the ultimate supplement to take for maintaining and increasing hair quality, strength and increasing hair growth.
