For many ladies, having healthy and shiny hair makes them feel beautiful and confident. If you're suffering from dry, brittle or thinning hair, taking certain vitamin supplements may help your locks look their best by improving growth and addressing vitamin deficiencies linked to hair problems in women. Before taking any supplements, first check with a qualified health professional to ensure your safety and guard against any possible drug interactions or other issues.
Gamma Linolenic Acid
Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard Medical School graduate and founder of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, recommends gamma linolenic acid, or GLA, for healthy hair, skin and nails. This essential fatty acid promotes healthy hair growth and can also prove helpful against brittle and splitting hair. In addition, GLA acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and can be used for other conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, arthritis and autoimmune disorders.
Dr. Weil suggests taking black currant oil or evening primrose oil supplements, both of which contain GLA. Many health food or vitamin stores carry these supplements in soft gel or capsule form. Weil recommends taking 500 mg twice a day, but cautions that it may take six to eight weeks before you see results. As always, check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.
Iron
Iron deficiency frequently causes female hair loss, though Dr. Weil cautions that taking iron supplements when not needed may do more harm than good. Because of this, you should first get tested by your doctor to make sure you have an iron deficiency. Based on the test results, your doctor may recommend an iron supplement to help with hair loss.
B Vitamins
According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of the The Dr. Oz Show and Director of the Cardiovascular Institute & Complementary Medicine Program at NY Presbyterian, B vitamins may prove beneficial in fighting hair loss and improving the overall quality of a woman's hair. In particular, the B vitamins niacin and pantothenic acid may be taken to promote healthy hair growth, while B6, biotin, and folate may slow hair loss. You can take B vitamins in supplement form, or get them through your diet by eating foods such as cauliflower, carrots, beans, peas, nuts, bran and eggs.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, an antioxidant, may promote blood circulation in the scalp. It also aids in immune function and other metabolic processes. Leafy green vegetables, seeds, nuts and vegetable oils all contain vitamin E. Because vitamin E supplements may increase blood pressure and slow blood coagulation, consult your doctor before beginning a vitamin E supplement regimen.
Multivitamins
Since nutritional deficiencies can cause hair problems, such as dry, brittle or thinning hair, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking a standard multivitamin to address potential deficiencies. Women's multivitamins should contain antioxidants such as A, E, C and B-complex vitamins, as well as trace minerals such as zinc, magnesium and calcium.
Member Comments