The old saying that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory leads many to look at vitamin deficiency and hair loss in women. Sudden or unusually heavy hair loss can be traumatic for women and vitamin deficiency is one of the most observed reasons! A good diet with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals is important to help maintain healthy hair growth. The nutrients we eat go into our bloodstream, and from there, essential nutrients are delivered via tiny capillaries to the dermal papilla, which nourishes growing hair.
IONOSITOL
Inositol is, unofficially, grouped into the Vitamin B group of vitamins. It’s certainly not a commonly known vitamin, but is responsible for a number of support functions within the body. One of the most recent findings show that men who took an extra dose of inositol daily reported that their hair loss had improved, with less hair falling out.
Sources: Beans, whole wheat bread, various grains, legumes, citrus foods and cantaloupe.
BIOTIN
Also known as vitamin H, biotin is one of the B complex vitamins that help the body convert food into energy. Most people get the biotin they need from eating a healthy diet, but there have been many claims that getting more biotin can promote healthy hair, skin and nails. Biotin promotes healthy hair by increasing the hair’s elasticity and protects against dryness, which also helps prevent breakage. In addition, Biotin helps produce keratin, a primary component of healthy hair. Some even believe that biotin can slow down age-related greying.
Sources: Nuts like almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts, nut butters, soybeans and other legumes, whole grains and cereals, cauliflower, bananas, mushrooms etc.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that help repair damaged hair follicles and prevent tissue corrosion, which in turn encourages healthy hair growth. It also deeply conditions the hair from root to shaft to make it healthier and shinier and even prevents premature greying. Vitamin E also helps the body’s blood circulation by increasing oxygen uptake, which in turn aids the body in producing new hair. In addition, some believe that Vitamin E has an effect on the body’s immune function, further increasing it’s potential to reduce hair loss risk.
Sources: Beans, soybeans, leafy greens, wheat germ oil and nuts.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A helps to produce healthy sebum, an oily substance secreted by the scalp, which keeps hair from drying out and breaking off.* In addition, Vitamin A fights free radicals that weigh your hair down.
Sources: Cod liver oil, Carrots, Spinach etc.
TIPS:
- If you’re thinking of taking supplements, then start with a trip to the doctor to rule out underlying medical conditions.
- An additional vitamin B complex supplement and a fish oil supplement may also provide the additional boost your body needs to prevent further hair loss and encourage hair to grow back lustrous and beautiful.