How healthy you look on the outside often depends upon how healthy you are on the inside. That truism extends to hair, where vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and illness can all contribute to thinning, breakable, dry and generally unhealthy tresses. An article at Hairboutique.com reports that even the best of care will likely only net you 6 inches of growth per year--but the health of those 6 inches is dependent on several factors. Conditioners and topical products can help restore hair's luster, but if something ill is lurking on the inside, your locks are going to show it. Eating well, drinking lots of water and the occasional scalp massage will keep your blood circulating and your hair gleaming and long.
B Complex and Biotin
B complex and biotin work together to aid hair growth and scalp health. B complex is water soluble, so it doesn't get stored in the body and must be replaced daily. It helps the body deal with stress, which can cause hair loss. A B complex supplement will get you what you need, but make sure you're getting both pantothenic acid (B5) and niacin (B3) in the blend. Biotin is necessary to build protein, and a deficiency will make your hair thin and drab. Together they strengthen the hair as it grows, according to an article at Herbs2000.com.
Zinc
Take a zinc supplement if you think your hair is thinning due to a sluggish thyroid. It's also helpful in repairing tissue and promoting cell growth, both of which will make hair growth healthier and stronger. Zinc can actually cause hair loss if you take too much, so stick to 60mg or less per day, suggests an article at Nutritional Supplements Health Guide. If your hair isn't looking better in a month (the amount of time it takes to grow 1/2 inch of hair) discontinue the zinc.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fish oil or flaxseed oil will help make your hair look healthier, according to an article at Holisticonline.com. The oils work to give your hair a better texture and guards against breakage. Two servings of cold-water fish, such as salmon or mackerel, per week will do the trick.
Blends
There are several brands of vitamin and mineral supplement blends that claim to promote healthy hair, and most of them contain the B complex, zinc, biotin and essential fatty acids, as well as other vitamins and minerals that may help your hair. Brands include Hairtopia, Hairfinity, Shen Min and Andrew Lessman's line of vitamins on the Home Shopping Network.
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