Some people do not realise hair growth is connected to diet and the nutrients it gets from food. Healthy, strong, and fast-growing hair requires a well-balanced diet and products rich in essential vitamins and nutrients. Here are some of the most important ones for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C boosts immunity and protects against frequent colds and other diseases. Besides this, vitamin C also helps strengthen hair and help it grow. Hair care products with vitamin C help produce collagen, a vital protein in healthy hair, skin, and nails. Additionally, vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights against damage in body tissue that makes hair brittle and weak. If you notice your hair breaking a lot or shedding, it may be due to a lack of vitamin C.
While it is easy to consume vitamin C supplements, it is also helpful to consume whole foods. Some fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C are oranges, kale, Brussels sprouts, papayas, kiwis, and broccoli.
Aside from consuming nutritious foods, various hair growth products are infused with vitamin C to help you grow your hair.
B Vitamins
Also known as vitamin B complex, the eight B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) are important in keeping hair healthy. Overall, the vitamin B complex promotes cell growth, which is important for healthy hair growth.
It is important to replenish your body’s supply of vitamin B complex daily to ensure that it is not lacking. Some warning signs of vitamin B complex deficiency include weakness or tiredness, easy bruising, and slow hair growth.
Eating healthy food is the best way to load up on B vitamins. Some sources of B vitamins include meats, eggs, nuts, grains, and vegetables. If your diet lacks B vitamins, you can consider taking a daily supplement.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin, or vitamin B7, plays a significant role in keratin production, the protein that makes up hair. This vitamin helps convert carbohydrates into glucose. Moreover, it activates amino acid metabolism in fingernails and hair root cells, supporting healthy locks.
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning the body cannot retain it and flushes what it does not use. Many hair care products today contain biotin, but it is also helpful to ingest the vitamin to grow hair from the inside out. Some food sources that supply biotin include avocados, eggs, salmon, and mushrooms.
