Vitamins and hair loss: An immense variety of nutrients have been proven to ease the devastating effects of hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Conditions associated with hair loss in men and women can be attributed to a variety of factors including:
- Vitamin deficiency
- Aging
- Stress
- Drug abuse
- Infections
A healthy supply of vitamins in one’s diet can aid hair growth by improving circulation, adjusting hormones, and reducing stress.
Vitamins and hair loss: What Vitamins Should I Take To Help Hair Growth?
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is integral to hair growth and nourishment. Vitamin A regulates the creation of retinoic acid, which in turn stimulates the hair follicle, causing hair growth. It can be applied directly to the hair shaft and massaged in gently. In addition, vitamin A is added to many skin care products, as it is also extremely helpful for skin health.
Vitamin B
B vitamins push the body to generate hair growth by assisting in stress management. A great complex within the B vitamin family is vitamin B12. Many natural B12 vitamin sources—such as eggs, meat, and poultry—have been linked to hair growth. Most people don’t realize that B12 is actually a component of the hair itself. Deficiencies in this nutrient can be dangerous; therefore it is pertinent to keep an eye on vitamin B12 intake.
Vitamin C
The body needs vitamin C for hair growth and health. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, and aids in the absorption of necessary nutrients, like iron, to maintain hair growth. Since the body does not create, nor store vitamin C on its own, it is important to eat vitamin c-rich fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, kiwi, berries, pineapple, watermelon, broccoli, peppers, spinach, and tomatoes.
Vitamin D
Another vitamin essential to hair growth is Vitamin D. This vitamin D, supplied in large part by sunlight, creates hair growth by stimulating the follicle and cells that make up the shaft. Vitamin D is also a known treatment for the skin condition, psoriasis.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E makes capillaries throughout the body, which increases blood flow to the scalp, thus promoting hair growth. Vitamin E can be applied topically by massaging it into the scalp, which also helps to increase blood flow.
While vitamins can aid in natural hair growth, they are not a cure to male pattern baldness. If natural remedies, such as vitamin intake, are not enough to create the hair growth you need, you are not alone. Dr. Umar, world-class surgeon of the DermHair Clinic, has pioneered some of the modern sciences of hair restoration and is here to help.