Maintaining healthy hair, skin and nails is a beauty objective for many people, as these three factors often reflect on overall health and appearance. Although the highest quality shampoos, skin creams and nail treatments may help, total skin, hair and nail care often must be addressed from the inside out. Your hair, skin and nails consist of proteins such as keratin and collagen, and rely on various nutrients to remain healthy. Although you should see a doctor for any concerns you might have about your skin, nails or hair, you may find that taking vitamins can support their health. You should consult your doctor before beginning any vitamin supplement regimen.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is considered a "provitamin" because it can be changed in the body into vitamin A, reports MayoClinic.com. Beta-carotene also plays a role in healthy hair growth, according to The Vitamins & Nutrition Center, and also promotes healthy skin and nails. The Vitamins & Nutrition Center recommends taking 10,000 to 15,000 international units of beta-carotene per day.
B Vitamins
The B vitamins can help maintain a healthy skin tone, according to naturopathic Dr. John Dempster on the Blisstree website. A complex of B vitamins biotin, inositol and folate, as well as vitamin B6, are considered beneficial to the health of your hair, the Vitamins & Nutrition Center reports. If you're hoping to improve hair health, take 50 mg of a B complex and 50 mg of B6 daily. Some abnormalities in your nails, such as ridges, curved ends or dryness, may reflect a deficiency in B vitamins, reports the Nutritional Supplement Education Centre.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the antioxidant vitamins and also plays a role in producing collagen, according to John Dempster on Blisstree. It can also slow the onset of wrinkles, improve scalp circulation and help decrease hangnails. While vitamin C is known to have a wide variety of benefits, it is not considered a medical treatment for any condition. Dempster recommends a dosage of 1,000 mg of vitamin C three times per day.
Vitamin E
Another powerful antioxidant, vitamin E is thought to protect skin cells against harmful free radicals, which can slow the aging of cells. It can also improve scalp circulation and enhance hair growth, according to The Vitamins & Nutrition Center. Start by taking 400 mg of vitamin E daily, and gradually increase to between 800 and 1,000 mg, Holistic Online recommends.
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