There are many factors that go into hair growth and hair loss. While your genetic makeup, age, and diet are key factors, so are the vitamins you take whether through supplements or by directly absorbing the vitamins through what you eat. Here is a list of some vitamins that may help stimulate new hair growth.
Vitamin A
Now, if you’ve been following any articles on natural hair, you’ve certainly heard the word ‘sebum’ dropped over and over again. The body naturally produces sebum as a natural oil to keep the hair growing in healthy and strong. So, where does vitamin a come in? Vitamin a is what helps the body actually produce sebum, that’s certainly big stuff. Vitamin a also promotes cellular growth, which affects the hair, skin and nails.
So, where can you naturally find vitamin a? Carrots, sweet potatoes, actually most of the orange fruits and vegetables, and of course spinach and kale. The orange vegetables actually contain beta-carotene which the body then converts into vitamin a.
B- Vitamins
B6, B12 and other B vitamins are an essential group of vitamins for long and healthy hair growth. The B vitamins provides oxygen and necessary nutrients to the scalp by generating new red blood cells in the body. One of the most famous B vitamin known to promote hair growth is biotin. Many studies have connected hair loss to low levels of biotin in the body, but it hasn’t been proven, so it’s up to you to believe it or not.
Good natural options for absorbing B vitamins is by eating leafy greens, nutritional yeast for B12, whole grains, sea food and almonds.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C creates collagen in the body, which is a protein found in healthy hair growth. Additionally, as you may already know, any free radicals found in the body from toxins in the air prevent new and healthy hair growth. Free radicals are a cause for many other issues besides aging hair, however, fortunately vitamin c is one vitamin that helps protect the body against the damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also increases the absorption of iron into the bloodstream, so make sure to pair the two together in a salad or dish.
P.S. Iron deficiency is a leading cause for hair loss.
All citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C and can be paired with almonds, leafy greens, lentils and tofu.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also works against free radicals in the bloodstream. Vitamin E has been tested for stimulating new hair growth and has proven positive results. You can directly apply vitamin E oil to the roots of your hair, take vitamin e supplements, or eat foods rich in vitamin e.
Foods rich in vitamin e include avocados, wheat germ, broccoli, nuts and sunflower seeds.
