Does Vitamin A Help to Grow Hair?

Does Vitamin A Help to Grow Hair?
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Many vitamin supplements are essential for hair growth. However, specifically, vitamin A helps your hair to grow, while also keeping it healthy and strong. To take full advantage of vitamin A's benefits for your hair, consider modifying your diet with nutritious foods that are high in vitamin A to ensure that you get enough of the substance.

Definition

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble substance, meaning that it is stored in your fatty tissues. Vitamin A is responsible for a variety of functions such as enhancing cellular growth. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, vitamin A is important for promoting good vision, by producing the retinas in your eyes. Also, vitamin A assists in the formation and repair of your teeth, mucus membranes and skin.

Vitamin & Hair

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for your hair, as it helps to prevent numerous hair conditions such as brittle or dry hair. This is done by stimulating the production of body-manufactured oils like sebum, which keeps your hair and scalp moist. Vitamin A improves your body's ability to withstand stress, a contributing factor of hair loss in particular cases. Natural News says notes that vitamin A is also needed by your body to help ensure healthy growth and maintenance.

Anitoxidant Vitamin

Vitamin A is an antioxidant, protecting your body from damaged that may be caused due to free radicals. Free radicals are formed when your body turns consumed foods into glucose. Unfortunately, free radicals can damage your hair, possibly turning it brittle or weak, making it prone to various hair conditions.

Food Sources

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin A is rich in food sources such as whole milk yogurt, peaches, butter, chicken, winter squashes, liver, whole milk, halibut, carrots, mangoes, fish oil and sweet potatoes.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Mar 15, 2011

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