Your health can play a role in the appearance of your hair. If you do not have enough of certain vitamins in your body, your hair can become dull and limp. Making sure that you consume a balanced diet may improve the appearance of your hair, but if you still notice problems, you should consult your physician for further evaluation.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a role in the development and maintenance of healthy skin and hair, as noted on the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet. If you don't have enough vitamin A in your diet, your hair may suffer the consequences. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to dry, brittle hair; this vitamin helps promote the production of retinoic acid -- a form of vitamin A -- in the hair follicle, according to NaturalNews.com. You should be sure to eat foods with vitamin A such as carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and milk to make sure that you consume enough of this vitamin. Supplements can also be used, but since too much vitamin A can be extremely dangerous, you should discuss supplementation with your physician first. Shampoos and conditioners are also available that contain vitamin A and can be used on the hair directly to improve its condition.
B Complex Vitamins
The B complex vitamins are also important in the health of your hair. The typical B complex vitamin contains eight vitamins, including thiamine, or vitamin B-1; riboflavin, or vitamin B-2; niacin, or vitamin B-3; pantothenic acid, or vitamin B-5; pyridoxine, or vitamin B-6; folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B-12, as noted on eVitamins.com. Several of the vitamins in the B family contribute to improved hair growth and appearance; for example, riboflavin is important in the repair of your hair, according to NetFit.co.uk. Your hair also needs vitamin B-12 to survive -- without it, you may experience hair loss, as noted by NaturalNews.com. Other B vitamins that may also keep your hair from being limp, thin, and brittle are B-3 and B-6. Another vitamin in the B family called biotin can help repair damaged hair and can be found in many shampoos and conditioners; biotin contains keratin which helps with hair growth, according to HairLossSpecialists.com. You can increase your intake of nuts, vegetables, whole grains, and some dairy products, but B-complex supplements are also available.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C may have multiple roles for your hair and its health. Vitamin C improves the circulation of blood to the scalp, according to HairLossSpecialists.com. Collagen -- which is an important part of the hair follicle -- needs vitamin C for its production and increases the strength of your hair. Lastly, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron; your hair needs iron to grow, as noted by NaturalNews.com. Good sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables like oranges, grapefruit, and red peppers.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also improves circulation and oxygenation to the scalp and encourages hair growth, as noted by HairLossSpecialists.com. This improved blood flow also slows down hair loss which prevents your hair from looking limp and thin. Eating foods like nuts, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and wheat germ can supply you with plenty of vitamin E. You can also purchase supplements and massage the oil inside the capsule into your scalp to get the vitamin E to your hair, according to NaturalNews.com.
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