Can Vitamins and Proteins Really Stop Hair Loss?
Healthy, strong hair is more than just an aesthetic feature – it also has significant psychological and social benefits. But nearly everyone experiences hair loss, whether in some areas of their scalp or general thinning throughout the body. A variety of factors may contribute to hair loss, including poor diet and certain health conditions.
Fortunately, certain vitamins and nutrients are important for the health of your scalp and the overall look of your hair. Hair requires a diverse nutrient supply to keep it healthy and moisturized. So, what are the best hair vitamins?
Nutrition can play a role in hair loss or hair growth. Many vitamins and nutrients are essential for the health of your hair. For example, many people who experience hair loss have a deficiency of vitamin B12 in their bodies. The same is true with vitamin D deficiency. These nutrients help keep your scalp and follicles strong, as well as promote hair growth. Here are some of the best sources of protein, vitamins, and nutrients for hair loss prevention.
1. Protein
Whether you are trying to build hair or prevent hair loss, choose from plenty of other fruits and vegetables that are also good sources of vitamins to help you get the healthiest and shiniest hair possible. Protein promotes hair growth. Hair is composed mainly of protein. So by eating more protein, you can support your hair’s strength and overall health. Here are some great protein sources to try for thicker, fuller hair.
Whether from eggs, meat, fish, or other animal sources, protein is probably the most important nutrient for strong and healthy hair. A deficiency in this mineral could leave hair with a dull appearance, thin and brittle.
2. Iron
Iron is an important mineral for hair growth. Iron deficiency, which causes anemia, is a major cause of hair loss. It is especially common in women. Iron deficiency often begins during menstruation. To avoid it and keep your locks long and luscious, get enough iron through foods like clams, oysters, eggs, red meat, spinach, and lentils.
Iron is instrumental in the production of red blood cells in your body. This is why iron supplements or iron-rich food sources are commonly recommended to women of childbearing age. These are foods that contain a lot of iron, however, if you suffer from iron deficiency anemia then you will need to speak to your doctor about iron supplements.
3. Zinc
The best vitamins for hair loss prevention include zinc and Biotin. Zinc keeps the oil glands around the follicles working properly while boosting collagen production. Biotin improves circulation to the scalp to help promote hair growth, adds strength to the hair shaft, and increases energy within each hair strand so it grows faster. If you want to prevent thinning hair without experiencing unwanted side effects, make sure you get enough of these two vitamins.
A balanced diet should include foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Hair loss can be a symptom of zinc deficiency because zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth, repair, and keeping the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Securing enough zinc in your diet through foods provides you with healthy hair growth.
4. Vitamin A
Hair grows by dividing the cells at the base of a follicle. When those cells divide, they get larger, which makes room for new hair cells. That division only happens when a cell has enough vitamin A. If you do not get enough vitamin A, your hair will grow more slowly or stop growing altogether. It can even fall out. Did you know that the vitamin A in carrots can help your hair grow? Enough to feed your entire body. And bananas are even better: they contain a rare form of vitamin A that feeds just your head and scalp. You can get plenty of vitamins A and E in lentils, and B12 in eggs, mushrooms, and dairy foods. And all these foods are low-calorie too!
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin most people associate with healthy skin and eyes. While it is true that bleeding, red spots on the skin, scaling, and scaly rashes can indicate excess vitamin A, so can hair loss. Vitamin A is essential to the health of hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight and healthy skin. However, too much can cause dry, flaky skin and brittle hair. Good sources include carrots, sweet potato, kale, and spinach.
5. Vitamin B
A lack of biotin can lead to hair loss. This vitamin is naturally present in a variety of foods and helps create the protein keratin, which is responsible for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Vitamin Balso helps create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles. Red blood cell production helps your body maintain a healthy immune system and energy levels. If you are deficient in B vitamins, it is important to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to reverse the effects. Some people may need to take a biotin supplement as well.
A lack of biotin can lead to hair loss. This vitamin is naturally present in a variety of foods and helps create the protein keratin, which is responsible for healthy hair, skin, and nails. A common alternative to taking biotin supplements is eating keto-friendly foods that contain biotin. Some good sources of biotin include eggs, salmon, bananas, and almonds. Folic acid and iron are also essential for hair health and should be on a list of vitamins for hair growth.
6. Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an important role in healthy hair. Your body needs vitamin C to create a protein needed for hair structure, and vitamin C helps your body absorb iron needed for hair growth. Check out some of the best sources of vitamin C to fuel your hair’s growth. Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C which helps your body absorb iron, a mineral necessary for hair growth. Plus, vitamin C is also known for fighting off free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and can block hair growth.
Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, and peppers. These foods are rich in antioxidants and help fight free radicals, which block hair growth. Include these foods in your diet to help prevent hair loss.
7. Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in the development and maintenance of bones, but it also helps with calcium absorption and may protect against osteoporosis. As the best vitamin for hair loss prevention supplement, vitamin D has also been linked to hair growth – most likely through its effect on the skin, which is a key determinant in hair growth. Recent studies pinpointed vitamin D receptors in hair follicles, suggesting that the vitamin plays a direct role in the production of new hair cells.
One of the best vitamins for hair loss prevention is vitamin D, which is produced by direct contact with the sun’s rays. You can also find vitamin D in fortified foods and fish such as herrings, sardines, and salmon. Hair loss is a common problem, especially as you age. There are several vitamins and minerals known to combat hair loss, including iron, zinc, biotin, and selenium. However, one of the best vitamins for hair growth prevention is vitamin D. Research suggests that it may play a role in preventing hair loss or stimulating hair growth.
8. Vitamin E
One of the best vitamins for hair loss prevention is vitamin E. This strong antioxidant improves the quality of the cells, keeping them from breaking down. The result is a much healthier scalp and thicker hair. Vitamin E plays a crucial role in cell regeneration and can help prevent hair loss. One study showed that people with hair loss experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth after supplementing with 50 milligrams of vitamin E for 8 months, compared with the placebo group, which had only a 0.1% increase in hair growth. Eating foods rich in vitamin E may help you replace your old hairs with new ones.
Sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocados – are just a few of the vitamin E-rich foods that can promote thicker, shinier hair and prevent hair loss. Discover other sources of this essential vitamin to promote hair growth.