Dreaming of lush and silky va-va-voom hair? There are plenty of products on the shelves that can imitate thick and lush hair. Creams, gels, powders, hair extensions, you name it. But if you want naturally thick and healthy hair, it's essential to care for it starting from within. That’s right, without the proper minerals and vitamins in your body, it’ll be hard to achieve your hair goals.
Why Should I Take Hair Vitamins?
We inevitably lose hair as we age. On average, women lose between 100-150 strands of hair per day. But if you think you lose more than that, it’s time to do something about it!
Did you know that hair loss represents many underlying nutritional deficiencies? Hair loss can indicate an inadequate intake of proteins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. That’s where hair loss supplements come into play. These vitamins and minerals target the hair and will help you get some oomph back into your mane.
What Are The Best Supplements for Hair Growth?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the best hair vitamins because it has antioxidant properties that help protect our body from oxidative stress due to free radicals. Free radicals can cause your hair to age and block the healthy growth of hair, making it brittle and weak. Vitamin C also boosts the production of an essential protein called Collagen giving elasticity and movement to the hair fibres. Vitamin C also boosts the body’s ability to absorb iron, which is a mineral also necessary for hair growth.
Vitamin E
Like Vitamin C, Vitamin E is considered one of the best hair vitamins because it has natural antioxidant effects. It helps the body get rid of oxidative stress brought about by free radicals, which are why the hair follicles break down.
Vitamin B
Biotin, a Vitamin B complex slows down hair loss linked with androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. B-complex vitamins, specifically B6 and B12, are essential for blood health. B6 helps the body make new red blood cells that carry oxygen and vital nutrients throughout the body, including the hair.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia areata, a technical term for excessive hair loss. Vitamin D also supports the growth of new hair follicles. These are the tiny pores in our scalp where new hair can grow.
Our body produces vitamin D with direct exposure to sunlight; however, if you're amongst many Australian lacking in sun exposure due to work commitments, it’s recommended to take the best hair vitamins containing vitamin D.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A or retinol is an essential vitamin for cell regeneration. Our hair needs it because it is the fastest-growing tissue in the human body. Vitamin A also supports the secretion of an oily substance called sebum, which prevents hair breakage and moisturises the scalp. However, taking this alone may lead to hair loss, according to a 2017 study published online.
Zinc
This mineral is needed to grow every cell in our body, including hair cells; the fastest-growing cells in our body. Although taking a back seat from vitamins A, C, and E, Zinc is also an essential and potent antioxidant that helps our body (including the hair) fight free radicals. Sebum production is also enhanced by Zinc. Sebum is our hair’s natural oils, and without it, our hair would be defenceless against the onslaught of microbes and fungi, making it lifeless and dry.
Final Thoughts
Taking vitamins individually may not achieve the effect we are aiming towards for our healthy hair. Since many of us can’t reach our RDA of vitamins and minerals, we should try and choose only the best supplements for hair growth and overall body health.
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