Good nutrition is vital to healthy hair growth, just as it's essential to overall good health. Although your body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain proper body functions, there are several that are specific to hair growth and health.
If you look at taking vitamins for hair loss, you will notice that these are vitamins essential for good health as long as you take them in moderation. Vitamin A is one of the vitamins to increase hair growth, but if you abuse it, it can also result in hairloss. Before taking any vitamins for hair loss or to increase hair growth, you should contact your doctor to find the underlying cause for the hair loss.
Vitamins and minerals are also an important factor in proper amounts. Your hair especially craves copper to maintain vibrant color, iron for strength, and trace amounts of zinc & magnesium for growth. Vitamin E is commonly known to increase circulation and blood flow to hair, and vitamin B-6 and B-12 are important in maintaining hair growth & color. So make sure you're either getting them in your diet in the form of meat, nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables, or in a daily vitamin supplement.
Healthy hair needs the right vitamins and minerals. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to un-healthy hair growth. Simply put, your hair ultimately reflects the overall condition of your body. If your body is healthy and well nourished, your hair and skin will also be healthy. If your body is in good health, you can then maximize your healthy hair follicles by taking the proper amounts of proteins (amino acids) and B-vitamins.
Vitamins for Hair Loss
Vitamin A
The second of the important vitamins for hair loss prevention is vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and vision. But it also plays an important part in preventing hair loss by promoting healthy cell growth around hair follicles, keeping them from becoming dry and brittle. Vitamin A can be found in many foods but is most prominent in fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin B2
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is manufactured in the body by the intestinal flora and is easily absorbed. Very small quantities are stored, so there is a constant need for this vitamin. It is required by the body to use oxygen and for the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Riboflavin is further needed to activate vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and helps to create niacin; the vitamins which play key role in hair growth.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that improves the health of hair. Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes green pepper, potatoes, green vegetables contain ample amounts of Vitamin C.
Vitamin E
Vitamin is a common antioxidant that enhances the circulation of blood in the scalp. Sources for Vitamin E are wheat germ oil, soybeans, cold pressed vegetable oils, raw seeds and nuts, green leafy vegetables, and dried beans. A daily dose of 400 IU is recommended; exceeding this recommended amount can lead to an increase in blood pressure and may also reduce the ability of blood to clot.
