The 8 Vitamins You Need to Keep Your Hair Strong and Healthy
Most people think hair loss is something only men deal with. In reality, though, a large number of Canadian women are also struggling with thinning hair.
In fact, between 40 and 50 percent of women will experience hair loss by the time they reach menopause.
If you’ve noticed your hair starting to get thinner, don’t panic. There are lots of things you can do to start regrowing your hair. One of the best hair care tips you can apply is to make sure you’re getting sufficient amounts of vitamins associated with hair growth.
Read on to learn about eight of the best hair growth vitamins you should be taking for thick, full, and healthy hair.
Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women
There are lots of reasons why women may start to experience hair loss or hair thinning.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Physical or emotional stress or trauma
- Hormonal imbalances or changes
- Thyroid disorders
- Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata
- Side effects from medications
- Genetics
Certain hairstyles can also cause hair thinning. Tight braids, ponytails, or buns can place too much tension on the hair and cause a condition known as traction alopecia.
Top Eight Hair Growth Vitamins
The following hair growth vitamins can help counteract the effects of all of these conditions. They’re especially beneficial if your hair loss is related to a nutrient deficiency.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is good for more than just preventing colds. It can also help keep your hair healthy and prevent damage.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It protects the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. This includes damage that could block hair growth and speed up hair aging.
Vitamin C also helps the body create collagen, a protein that is necessary for strong, healthy hair. You need vitamin C to absorb iron properly, too. Iron is necessary for hair growth as well as healthy red blood cells.
You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli.
2. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from oxidative stress and damage.
One study found that people who supplemented with vitamin E for eight months saw a 34.5 percent increase in their hair growth. The placebo group in the same study only saw a 0.1 percent increase in hair growth.
You can get plenty of vitamin E by consuming foods like avocados, asparagus, almonds, and sunflower seeds.
3. Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that plays a major role in tissue growth and repair. It also keeps the oil glands that surround your hair follicles healthy and functioning properly.
The body needs zinc for DNA and RNA production and healthy cell division, as well.
Many people who are struggling with hair loss are deficient in zinc.
Zinc is most abundant in foods like oysters, beef, spinach, and pumpkin seeds.
4. Vitamin B6
All B vitamins are beneficial for hair growth since they promote proper protein metabolism. But, of the all the B vitamins, vitamin B6 is one of the most important for people who are dealing with thinning hair.
Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in the reactions that begin the metabolism of keratin and melanin in the hair follicles. Keratin and melanin are essential for hair growth and renewal.
Vitamin B6 is also necessary for the release of androgens (hormones associated with hair growth).
It promotes healthy blood flow and oxygen delivery to the scalp and hair follicles as well.
You can get vitamin B6 from meat and fish, as well as from sunflower seeds and avocados.
5. Copper
Copper is a mineral that helps repair damage to the hair follicles. Cancer patients often use it after chemotherapy to increase hair follicle density and promote faster hair growth.
Copper also helps with melanin production. Because of this, you can use it reverse premature graying.
Good sources of copper include beef liver, lentils, almonds, and dark chocolate.
6. Folate
Folate (also known as vitamin B9) isn’t just for pregnant women.
It’s another essential B vitamin that promotes healthy hair growth. Folate is necessary for healthy red blood cells, nutrient metabolism, and DNA production.
Some studies show that folate can also help control premature graying.
Good sources of folate include broccoli, asparagus, avocados, and leafy green vegetables.
7. Calcium
Most people think of calcium as being necessary for healthy bones and teeth. In addition to keeping these tissues strong, calcium can also keep your hair healthy.
If you’re consuming sufficient amounts of calcium, you’ll also experience proper blood clotting, nerve signaling, and hormone and enzyme secretion.
Calcium is especially important for the secretion of androgens and co-enzymes like biotin, which is necessary for healthy cell growth.
Hair thinning and hair loss are also often signs of a calcium deficiency.
Dairy products are a great source of calcium, as are nuts and leafy green vegetables.
8. Magnesium
Calcium is great for healthy hair growth. But, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. That’s why you need to make sure you’re getting plenty of magnesium, too.
Magnesium prevents calcium build-up. If calcium builds up on the scalp, it can clog hair follicles and promote hair loss and a dry, flaky scalp.
Magnesium ensures the calcium gets where it’s needed most by promoting healthy blood circulation. It also plays an important role in protein synthesis, which leads to healthier hair and a more predictable hair growth cycle.
People who are deficient in magnesium often experience hair loss.
Magnesium is found in dark chocolate, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds.
Get Thicker Hair Today
These eight hair growth vitamins will help you get the thick, full, voluminous hair you’ve always wanted.
You could take all these vitamins separately in order to promote better health and faster hair growth. Or, you could make your life a lot easier and take them all at once by using one of our hair care products.
Tricovel shampoos, tablets, and vitamins are loaded with essential nutrients that will help naturally thicken and regrow your hair. Give them a try today.
