Proper nutrition is one of the most important elements of long, healthy hair. Vitamins promote hair growth in women in a variety of ways. In addition to directly fueling hair growth, vitamins also promote hair growth in women indirectly, via their action in the production and regulation of hormones and their positive effect on the other bodily systems and functions that support hair growth.
Vitamin B Complex
As explained by the University Of Maryland Medical Center, the group of nutrients categorized as the vitamin B complex are essential to hair growth and hair health. Deficiency in some of the nutrients in this group can be a direct cause of hair loss, as well as have a negative effect on the quality of hair, rendering it vulnerable to breakage. The vitamin B complex plays a vital role in promoting hair growth in women in a few different ways. Vitamin B-6 and B-12 contribute to the production of red blood cells, which transport nutrients necessary for hair growth to the scalp, and assist hemoglobin in the performance of its oxygen transporting tasks. Biotin, according to Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, is one of the B complex vitamins that has a role in the body's utilization of fatty acids and amino acids, both of which are important to hair growth. Vitamin B-2 plays a part in the ability of anti-oxidants to perform as they should to protect hair follicles and promote hair growth.
Antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E
Vitamins A, C and E are powerful antioxidants. These vitamins, according to the American Pregnancy Association, because of their antioxidant action, "may provide protection for the hair follicles and encourage hair growth." Furthermore, Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production. Collagen is essential to the very structure of the blood vessels and capillaries through which nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the scalp, allowing it to support hair growth. Vitamin E also serves blood vessel function, as explained by the Linus Pauling Institute, through its role in vasodilatation.
Vitamin D
As noted by the American Pregnancy Association, hormones have a major impact on hair growth cycles. Vitamin D is well-known for its importance to strong bones and teeth, but recent research has revealed a broad range of evidence that demonstrates its importance to numerous bodily systems and functions, including hormone regulation and production. In addition, according to a February 2010 "Dermatology Online Journal" article, hair follicles have vitamin D receptors, and those receptors play an important part in the hair growth cycle. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine found that, in animal testing, "vitamin D3 analogs seem to act on keratinocytes to initiate hair follicle cycling and stimulate hair growth in mice." Further research is in progress, with hopes of being able to address human hair growth disorders.
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