Optimal nutrient intake is essential to the maintenance of hair growth and health. Hair loss may be mitigated by increasing your intake of vitamins A, B, or C. Discover which vitamins and nutrients have been proven to support hair health and hair growth. In this article, we discuss the best vitamins and nutrients for hair growth.
Hair loss is characterized by a recession or loss of hair from any part of the body. However, most hair loss occurs on the scalp of the head. Hair loss is usually expedited as we age, however, it can also be the result of hereditary factors, hormonal changes, or medical conditions. A condition more common in men than in women, hair loss can be treated through oils, creams, shampoos, and transplant procedures.
Each person is born with around 5 million hair follicles, which is the most they will ever have. As a person ages, some hair follicles become damaged or dormant, resulting in hair loss and lack of hair growth. Most hair grows at a rate of around 6 inches per year, but this growth begins to decline in most people around the age of 60.
Vitamins are organic compounds that are meant to be taken in small quantities. Though the recommended daily intake of vitamins pales in comparison to that of water and food, these organic molecules play an important role in maintaining the health of the immune system, cells, and organs. The health of one’s skin and hair is inextricably tied to the condition of the entire immune system. Here are the best vitamins for mitigating hair loss and promoting hair growth.
Otherwise referred to as retinol, vitamin A is a nutrient that plays a vital part in hair and skin tissue growth. Vitamin A helps keep the hair and scalp healthy by aiding in the production of sebum, an oily substance that protects the skin and hair from damage. Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to lead to a number of health complications, most notably infection, skin irritation, and hair loss. You can increase your daily intake of vitamin A by consuming more vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and kale.
B vitamins facilitate the promotion of cell health and the function of the entire immune system, including the scalp. One of the best vitamins for hair growth is the B vitamin biotin. The primary role of biotin is to help metabolize food, but the vitamin can also aid in the production of keratin, a protein that helps make up your skin and hair.
Vitamin C can ward off iron deficiency and free radicals, two of the most common contributing factors to hair loss. A lack of iron in the blood can inhibit it from delivering nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles. Hair which is lacking in nutrients can become thin and frail, and is also at an increased risk of breaking or falling out from the scalp.
The following nutrients iron, zinc, and proteins aid in hair growth by keeping blood cells and hair follicles healthy and efficient.
Iron is a significant component of hemoglobin, a protein that works to carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body, including the hair. Without enough iron, the red blood cells have difficulty supplying the scalp with enough blood to keep things working. A lack of iron can often lead to iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which one may begin to lose hair and see their nails become more brittle.
Zinc works to support hair growth in two significant ways: by aiding in tissue repair and by keeping sebum glands around the hair healthy. Studies have shown that increasing one’s zinc intake can improve hair growth and help prevent hair loss. The recommended daily intake of zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women.
Protein
All hair is made up of a type of protein called keratin, which is produced in the hair follicles. As such, a lack of protein can significantly weaken the hair and its condition. For those experiencing hair loss, a diet which supplies at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight has been shown to promote hair growth.
Hair loss is a common condition that, in most cases, occurs naturally due to aging and hereditary factors. In most people, hair will grow at a rate of around 6 inches per year. The health and growth rate of your hair can be improved by increasing your intake of beneficial vitamins and nutrients.
The best vitamins for hair growth and health include vitamins A, B, and C. Increasing your intake of iron, zinc, and protein can also keep your scalp healthy, helping to maintain the lustrous consistency of your hair.
