Hair products help to keep hair full and attractive, but taking vitamin supplements or eating foods with certain vitamins can provide you with healthy hair. Some vitamins may return hair to people who lose it through stress, aging or heredity. Others keep the hair strong and healthy. Vitamins also provide other health benefits, such as good nutrition and protection from illness.
Vitamin A
Some hair care products include vitamin A to be massaged into the hair. Vitamin A may also help the hair through supplements. The vitamin regulates retinoic acids in hair follicles for hair growth, according to the Natural News Network. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties to protect cells from damage and produces sebum, which helps create fullness of hair by protecting it from bacteria.
B Vitamins
The B vitamins offer significant benefits for healthy hair, according to Holisticonline.com, which says that lab studies have shown rats fed a diet rich in B vitamins restored their hair after becoming hairless from mineral deficiencies. Vitamin B3, known as niacin, and vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, help hair growth. Men deficient in vitamin B6, or folic acid, may lose their hair. Rich sources of B vitamins include bran, nuts, eggs, beans, carrots, peas, cauliflower, soybeans and brewer's yeast. Vitamin B12, found in meat and eggs, helps stimulate hair growth. The B vitamins may also help prevent premature graying hair.
Biotin
B complex vitamins include biotin, also known as vitamin H, which may prevent hair loss in men and has been used in hair care products. Aside from supplements, you can get biotin from green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, brown rice, brewer's yeast, walnuts and sunflower seeds.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C improves scalp circulation by helping to carry blood to hair follicles. The vitamin helps absorb iron necessary to grow hair, the Natural News Network explains. Fruits and green leafy vegetables contain lots of vitamin C, which also has antioxidants to protect cells from the damage of oxidation.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D stimulates cells and hair follicles to help prevent hair loss. You can get adequate doses of vitamin D from skin exposure to sunlight, but supplements can help with healthy hair if you do not get out in the sun often. Certain milk products and cereals are fortified with vitamin D.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, which contains antioxidants, also improves blood flow to the scalp. The vitamin may stimulate healthy hair and growth by enhancing the immune system.
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