Vitamins are essential for promoting healthy African-American hair growth. You must eat foods that are high in vitamin E, B vitamins and vitamin D. Your daily diet must have the right nutrients to nourish and support the dermal papilla. A daily multivitamin is also necessary for promoting good health, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association." Always check with your doctor before taking dietary supplements.
Vitamin E
According to Susan Taylor, a board-certified dermatologist and Harvard-trained physician, the cuticle, cortex and medulla make up all hair. Black hair is different because the hair follicles grow curved instead of straight. This curvature, according to Dr. Taylor, causes black hair to be dry because oils from the scalp cannot move as freely as they could with straight hair. Vitamin E can alleviate dryness, which naturally occurs in African-American hair. A scalp massage with vitamin E oil provides the scalp with oxygen and increases blood flow to the follicles. Vitamin E oil strengthens African-American hair, lubricates it and keeps it from breaking. Green leafy vegetables, beans, wheat germ oil, roasted almonds, sunflower and safflower oil contains abundant amounts of vitamin E. Vitamin E supplements are also a good source.
The B Vitamins
Biotin, riboflavin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, inositol, folic acid, pyridoxine and vitamin B12 make up the B vitamins. The B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that many also refer to as vitamin B complex. These B vitamins, when taken together, prevent hair loss and strengthen the hair from within. B complex deficiencies usually result in hair loss. Sources of the B complex vitamins include fortified cereals, eggs, fish, whole milk, beans, green vegetables, brewer's yeast and multivitamins. Your body needs vitamin B6 for metabolism of amino acids, which prevent skin and scalp disorders. Folate and B12 deficiencies can also cause anemia. Anemia brings with it a host of health problems, including poor oxygen and blood flow to parts of the body, including the scalp.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D may stimulate hair growth in low concentrations, says the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Vitamin D deficiencies can cause alopecia, dandruff and other scalp issues. Vitamin D is also critical during the hair cycle's growth stages, especially the first stage, the anagen stage. African-Americans have lower levels of vitamin D due to the pigmentation of their skin, according to the American Society for Nutrition's "Journal of Nutrition." Therefore, African-Americans must pay close attention to their food and supplement intake to ensure they get the correct levels of vitamin D. African-Americans should get their vitamin D levels checked by their doctor regularly to maintain favorable levels. Vitamin D is also important in calcium absorption, and calcium is necessary for healthy teeth, bones, nails and hair. Foods containing vitamin D include cheese, fortified milk, fortified cereals, fortified orange juice, other fortified foods and supplements.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association": Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Hair Analysis Panel Discussion
- Society Hill Dermatology: The Uniqueness of Black Hair
- National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet --- Vitamin D
- "The Journal of Nutrition": Vitamin D and African Americans
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