Vitamins to Encourage Hair Growth

Vitamins to Encourage Hair Growth
Photo Credit hair texture image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com

Vitamins to encourage hair growth can be consumed in a multitude of forms, ranging from internal to external applications. All need to be used on a regular basis in order to reap the best results. The best way for you to encourage hair growth is to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a well-balanced diet consisting of foods from all food groups, according to the Mayo Clinic. Avoid crash diets.

Biotin

As a B vitamin, biotin can be essential for hair health and growth. Choose hair care products that contain the nutrient. Biotin can be added to hair care products including colorings, styling items and conditioners. You can also obtain your biotin through natural dietary sources, according to the National Institutes of Health and Holisticonline.com. Food sources include brewer's yeast, whole grains, legumes and lentils, walnuts, sunflower seeds, lean beef, green peas, fish, and dairy products. Vegetable sources of the hair-healthy nutrient include broccoli, green peas and the cabbage family.

Vitamin B9

Folic acid, or vitamin B9, will encourage hair growth, states Holisticonline.com. As it is a water-soluble vitamin, you need to replenish this nutrient daily, according to the National Institutes of Health. You need this nutrient to help your body create and use new proteins, form new blood cells and help tissues grow. Get this nutrient by taking food supplements. The terms folic acid and folate may be used interchangeably. Consume folic acid by using hair care products that contain the nutrient as an active ingredient. Folic acid can be found in hair care products such as hair conditioners, shampoos, gels, serums and oil treatments.
Get your folate through dietary sources such as liver, poultry, pork and shellfish. Citrus fruits and juices will be rich sources of folic acid. Citrus fruits include oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes and grapefruit. Other rich food sources of folic acid include beans and legumes, whole grains and dark green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps improve the circulation to your scalp, according to Jolisticonline.com. Increased blood circulation helps stimulate your hair follicles, which allows for hair growth. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in your body and is needed for the growth and repair of all your body's tissues, according to the National Institutes of Health. You need to replenish this vitamin daily since it is water-soluble. Get your vitamin C through supplement form or through hair care products. All types of fruits and vegetables will contain the nutrient. Especially rich fruit sources include citrus fruits and juices, cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapples, berries, mango and papaya. Rich vegetable sources include tomatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and leafy greens.

References

Article reviewed by MER Last updated on: Jun 7, 2010

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