Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands that produce sebum, or oil, to keep hair and skin healthy and lubricated. Even a slight vitamin B deficiency can be caused by eating processed foods such as chips and soda, according to a February 2003 article in "Psychology Today." This deficiency can cause overproduction of sebum, which results in oily hair. A change in diet can return sebum to its normal levels.
Stress Hormones
When you feel anxious and under stress, your body releases stress hormones. Stress hormones can deplete the body of important vitamins, such as the B-complex vitamins. These hormones can also cause the body to desire carbohydrates because of the lowering of serotonin levels, according to "Psychology Today." Increasing the number of carbohydrates in the body will raise serotonin levels to cope with stress.
Junk Food
Eating junk food or processed foods with little or no nutritional value and vitamin B content to satisfy carb cravings does not replenish the B vitamins lost due to stress. Even a slight lack of vitamin B leads to overproduction of sebum. Sebum coats the hair shaft to protect it, and overproduction may make the hair look and feel oily. Eliminating junk food from your diet and replacing it with healthy carbs that contain B-complex vitamins may control greasy hair.
Foods With B-complex Vitamins
A balanced diet that is rich in nutrients helps your hair to be and look healthy. B-complex vitamins are found in bananas, nuts, avocados, seeds, eggs, baked potatoes, dairy products, green, leafy vegetables, chicken, legumes and wheatgerm. Eat a variety of these B-complex vitamin-filled foods to maintain a balanced diet and to control hair sebum levels.
Hair Sebum and Acne
Acne forms when hair follicles become plugged with sebum. Keeping the hair around the face free of sebum will help with acne; however, scrubbing the face can damage the skin and worsen acne. Increased sebum resulting in acne is not caused by greasy foods or chocolate, yet it may be affected by genes, medications, hormones and bacteria, according to MayoClinic.com.
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