Vitamins for Hair are as important as Vitamins for your body.
If you have short hair or if you are looking for healthy and shiner hair, Hair vitamins are an easy and natural way to achieve length and healthy strands.
Many people all around the world consider healthy hair as a sign of beauty or health.
Moreover, like any other part of your body, your hair growth supplements need are different, from your body.
While factors like age, hormones, and genetics play an important role and affect the growth of your hair, a good nutrient intake is also important.
There are tons of different vitamins available in the market and you might have heard the hype of hair vitamins on Instagram as well.
Many celebrities swear by using certain vitamins for hair growth and shine, but do they actually work?
In this article, we have summed up 5 essential hair vitamins along with 3 nutrients and their benefits along with scientific evidence.
But first, let us learn a few things about hair.
Hair
Your hair is a simple structure made of tough protein, Keratin.
A hair follicle anchors each hair on your scalp into the skin. The hair bulb forms the base of the follicle and the living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft.
The blood vessels in the follicle nourish the cells and deliver hormones that affect the growth of hair and the structure at different times of life.
Hair Growth Cycle
The Hair growth cycle consists of three phases:
Anagen: This is the growth phase and most hair is growing at any given time.
Each hair spends several years in this phase.
Catagen: This phase is the transitional phase and over a few weeks, the growth of your hair slows, and the hair follicle shrinks.
Telogen: This is the resting phase and hair growth stops and old hair detaches from the hair follicle.
New hair begins to grow in this phase and thereby pushing the old hair out.
Different people have different growth rates of hair and the average growth rate is one-half inch per month.
The hair color on your hair is due to pigment cells, Melanin in the hair follicle.
However, as you age, this pigment cell dies and your hair starts to turn grey.
Now let us discuss hair vitamins for healthier and shiny hair.
1# Vitamin A
Cells in your body need vitamin A for growth.
This also includes your hair, which is the faster-growing tissue in your body.
Moreover, vitamin A helps your skin to make oil substance, Sebum in your skin.
Sebum moisturizes your scalp and keeps your hair healthy.
If your diet does not contain enough vitamin A, then it can lead to different problems.
While it is important to get enough vitamin A, excess of it can also be dangerous.
Studies suggest that overdose of vitamin A can contribute to hair loss.
Vitamin A is also found in different food items like milk, eggs, and yogurt. Cod liver oil is also a good source of Vitamin A.
2# Vitamin C
Free radicals can damage and block hair growth. Moreover, it can lead to the aging of hair.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect against oxidative stress due to free radicals.
Additionally, your body needs vitamin C to create a protein, collagen which is an important part of your hair structure.
Vitamin C also enables your body to absorb iron, a mineral that is essential for hair growth. So the Vitamin C benefits are numerous.
Food items like strawberries, peppers, guavas, and citrus are good sources of Vitamin C.
You can learn about vitamin C serum here.
3# Vitamin E
Vitamin E is also an antioxidant just like vitamin C and is able to prevent oxidative stress.
According to a study, people who suffer from hair loss experienced an increase in hair growth by 34.5% after supplementing with vitamin E for hair growth.
However, the placebo group had only a 0.1% increase.
Sources of Vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocados.
4# Vitamin D
A low level of vitamin D can cause Alopecia, which is a technical term for hair loss.
Research suggests that vitamin D can help create hair follicles, which are tiny pores in your scalp where new hair can grow.
Vitamin D also plays a role in hair production, however, many researchers focus on vitamin D receptors.
With that said, most people do not get enough vitamin D and therefore, it is a good idea to increase your intake.
When you come in contact with direct sunlight your body produces vitamin D.
Dietary sources like fatty fish, cod liver oil, some types of mushrooms, and fortified foods are good sources of vitamin D.
5# B Vitamins
One of the best vitamins for hair growth is B Vitamins. They are also known as Biotin.
Moreover, studies like biotin deficiency with hair loss in humans.
Biotin is an alternative hair-loss treatment, however, those who are deficient have the best results.
Biotin deficiency is rare because it only occurs in a wide range of food products.
Other B Vitamins also help to create red blood cells which carry oxygen and nutrients to your scalp and hair follicles.
Moreover, these are important for hair growth.
Whole grains, almonds, meat, fish, seafood, and dark leafy green vegetables are great sources of B vitamins.
Additionally, animal sources are a good source of Vitamin B12.
Therefore, in case you are a vegetarian or following a vegan diet, consider taking B Vitamins.
6# Iron
Iron helps to carry oxygen via red blood cells to the cells of your body.
This makes it an important mineral for many functions of your body, including hair growth.
If you are deficient in iron, it can cause Anemia, which is one of the major causes of Hair Loss.
Moreover, it is especially common in women.
Oysters, eggs, red meat, spinach, lentils, and clams are rich in iron and you can add them to your daily routine,
7# Protein
Your hair is made entirely of Protein and enough intake of it is important for hair growth.
Animal studies suggest that protein deficiency can decrease hair growth and even lead to hair loss.
8# Zinc
Zinc is an important mineral that plays a role in hair growth tissue and repair.
It also helps keep the oil glands around the hair follicles on your scalp to work properly.
Moreover, hair loss is a common symptom of zinc deficiency.
Studies suggest that adding zinc supplements can reduce hair loss due to zinc deficiency.
However, a high dose of zinc can cause hair loss.
Therefore, it is better to get your zinc from whole foods.
Foods that are high in inc are oysters, spinach, beef, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, and lentils.
You can find more information on our blogs and these pages to help users understand.
5 Best Hair Vitamins
There are different vitamins for hair available in the market that contains enough an essential amount of vitamins for your hair growth.
These are the 5 best vitamins for hair that will help achieve longer and healthier hair.
1# Nature’s Bounty: Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies
These delicious strawberry gummies taste like candy and there are no artificial sweeteners or flavors.
Biotins, Vitamin A and E present in these helps to promote lustrously, hair growth, and promote healthy skin and nails.
Moreover, they are budget-friendly and do not cost much.
2# Mielle Organics Healthy Hair Adult Vitamins With Biotin
This is another budget-friendly multivitamin that contains a blend of herbs, amino acids, and minerals.
These help in promoting strong and thick hair growth. These tablets are specifically made to promote growth and prevent hair loss.
3# Sugarbearhair: Hair Vitamins
You might have heard a great hype about these on Instagram especially by the Kardasians.
These are bear-shaped vitamins for hair that have powerful ingredients like biotin, folic acid, coconut oil (coconut oil benefits), and vitamin C for hair growth.
4# Perricone MD: Skin and Total Body Supplements
These supplements cover the wellness of your overall body.
Not only do they nourish your hair but also support skin, eyes, bones, and nails.
It contains ingredients like astaxanthin, calcium, and magnesium to boost your immune system.
5# Moon Juice: SuperHair
Stress is one of the factors that contribute to hair loss.
Chemists at Moon Juice developed a formula to target stress levels and balance them out.
These contain plant-sourced adaptogens like organic ashwagandha and ginseng to tame hormones and the effects of oxidative stress.
Should you take Hair Supplements?
For hair growth and healthy hair, food is the best source.
However, if you are unable to get enough vitamins and minerals through your food, supplements may be helpful.
Studies suggest that supplements work best for individuals that have vitamin deficiencies in their bodies.
Furthermore, a large dose of vitamins and minerals can be harmful to your body if you do not have nutrient deficiencies.
Therefore, it is important to work with your doctor to determine if you have a nutrient deficiency or not.
By the end of the day, the best way to get nutrients to your body is by eating a balanced, and food-based diet that includes plenty of nutrients.
Moreover, these supplements are created and maintained by a third party and imported.
To the End
Vitamins and minerals are important for your overall health and healthy hair. Getting them through a balanced diet is a beneficial way for a healthier you.
However, if you have nutrient deficiencies, it is important to consult your doctor first, and then add the supplements. It is important that you take vitamins and minerals for healthy hair growth and a healthy body.
Many supplements are maintained by a third party and the content is created.