Does hair actually need vitamins to grow? Yes, and why not – it is also the part of your body, and just like your other organs; your hair follicles also require adequate nutrition to grow thick and long strands.
Age, gender, or hormones also affects your hair growth, but adequate nutrition is the key.
Your hair follicles contain the fast-dividing cells and to pace up with these cell functions, one needs to provide them with proper nutrients.
Here I am listing 7 important nutrients for hair growth
Biotin:
Biotin belongs to the member of the B-complex vitamins and it is commonly also known as Vitamin B-7. It helps in the synthesis of a protein called keratin and thus helps improve hair growth and reduces hair shedding. It is being observed that the intake of a Biotin supplement also improves the strength and elasticity of the cortex (the thickest layer of the hair shaft).
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the hair follicles from free radical damage. Vitamin C also helps in the production of collagen and collagen plays is the major component for maintaining the hair structure. Hence, vitamin C does wonders for your hair as well as skin.
Vitamin A:
The basic function of vitamin A as we know is to help maintain the normal growth of the cell. This is exactly, why it plays an important role in hair growth. It simply supports the growth of new hair cells. Vitamin A also helps scape by making an oily substance called sebum. Sebum moisturizes the scalp and helps keep hair healthy.
Niacin:
Niacin also belongs to the B-complex vitamins and is commonly known as Vitamin B-3. Niacin is a B vitamin that functions in a variety of important chemical reactions in the body. A type of hair loss is connected with niacin deficiency.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E being a powerful antioxidant helps prevent oxidative damage. The function remains the same as Vitamin C. One of the study has also shown that vitamin e supplementation may help improve hair growth in those who were observing excessive hair loss.
Protein
Hair is made of a protein called keratin. Each strand requires an adequate amount of protein to survive. Consuming enough protein daily is a must for healthy hair. Long prolonged protein deficiency may reduce hair growth and may progress toward excessive hair loss. Try consuming pulses, eggs, whey protein, cereals or even keratin supplements can be useful.
Zinc
Zinc is one of the important trace minerals, which is required n smaller amounts. The body needs zinc to use Vitamin A. Zinc is also involved in collagen synthesis. Zinc is important for your body’s production of protein (what your hair is made of) as well as cell division
Should You Take a Hair Supplement?
Getting nutrients from natural food sources is the best option ever. But, it gets difficult to keep a tab on this intake on a daily basis. It is also being studied that supplementation can e a better option for those who are already deficient.
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