Healthy Hair 101

Supplements for happier, healthier hair

Vitamins are essential for your health and beauty, but choosing the right ones can feel like a task that requires a degree. Since there is no quick fix- supplements should be added as a healthy approach to a healthy diet and lifestyle and taken under your doctor’s supervision. We recommend some of the best hair vitamins to boost your healthy hair growth although the best way to get these nutrients is also by eating a balanced and real food-based diets that include planet of nutrient-dense foods.

Biotin

Everyone wants longer, healthier hair and biotin is highly recommended by most nutritionists. This supplement has become one of the most widely used supplements for faster hair growth. Biotin is a B vitamin, and it plays a key role in keeping the hair healthy. While most people get a good dose of biotin from the food they eat every day, it is a water soluble vitamin. That means your body cannot retain it and flushes out what it doesn’t use. Many hair care products now also contain biotin. Food sources of biotin include mushrooms, avocados, eggs, salmon and peanut butter.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is another vitamin that’s vital for proper cell growth. It helps in producing sebum (oil on the scalp), which keeps the hair from drying out and breaking. Vitamin A fights free radicals that weigh your hair down. While Vitamin A is essential for healthy hair, you must exercise caution, as too much of it can lead to toxicity and can actually result in hair loss. Food sources for vitamin-A are cod liver oil, peaches, carrots and spinach.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that repairs and builds tissue, and is essential for healthy hair growth. When you apply vitamin E to your scalp, it reduces inflammation, increases blood circulation, boosts oxygen supply, and repairs damaged hair follicles. Because of its blood thinning properties, it’s also important to remember to discontinue the use of Vitamin E prior to any type of surgery. Food sources for vitamin E are almonds, avocado, broccoli and leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C

Most of us are aware that vitamin C can help boost our immunity, protecting us against frequent colds and other infections. What most people are unaware of is that vitamin C can help strengthen the hair. That’s partly because vitamin C helps the body create and produce collagen, a vital protein for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant that fights free radicals that damage body tissue. Food sources for Vitamin C: oranges, red peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit and kiwi.

Iron

Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to the cells. This makes iron a very important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth. Sources of iron are clams, oysters, eggs, red meat, spinach and lentils. Iron gives strength to hair follicles.

Protein

Our hair is made almost entirely of protein. Consuming enough protein is important for hair growth. Vegans and vegetarians should take extra care and more protein to their lifestyle through supplements or other food intake. Meat, chicken, fish and lentils are great source of protein. Protein gives hair shine, bounce and growth.

Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Hair loss and leading to gray hair is a common symptom of zinc deficiency. Foods high in zinc include oysters, beef, spinach, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and lentils.