Nutrition for Hair
Thinning hair, poor hair growth, weak hair, male pattern balding or alopecia are all big concerns for women and men worldwide. It is important to address the root cause of these problems in order to see results and to find the best hair vitamins for you.
What Causes Thinning Hair and Hair loss?
The hair is more a reflection of your health history over the last 6-18 months than your current health status. With causes of hair loss ranging from systemic disease and autoimmune conditions to drug use, chemical exposure, chemotherapy, iron deficiency, fever, weight loss and severe emotional or physical stress, you need to consider the health history when diagnosing the cause of hair loss. Current hair loss, weak or brittle hair may be a result of a health issue that has since resolved but you are just seeing the impact now.
What Supplements and Nutrients can Help me?
Probiotics, although not directly targeted at hair can be very effective as a hair growth vitamin and in improving the health of the hair. Our gut is host to billions of bacteria which help us to break down and absorb our nutrients from food. The addition of a probiotic can populate the gut with these friendly bacteria, therefore leading to better absorption of nutrients.
Biotin
Biotin, a B vitamin which is crucial for the growth of hair, skin, and nails and is best used in conjunction with a B vitamin complex.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids, in particular omega 3 are also important for hair growth and maintenance.
Iron
Iron, a mineral needed for oxygenation of the blood, is important for hair health. Iron is a mineral which can be just as bad in high doses as low doses so should be only taken if a blood test shows low levels.
Zinc
Zinc, is an important mineral which is present in all of our cells and plays an important role in thyroid hormone production and cell renewal. Sluggish thyroid can slow the metabolism therefore leading to slow hair growth.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto, is a herb which can block DDT, a hormone which has been shown to promote hair loss and male pattern balding and when used in conjunction with L-Lysine has an added effect on DHT. Lycopene also has DDT blocking properties.
Silica
Silica, is another important nutrient involved in the development and health of most human body processes. It also helps in the absorption and balance of many nutrients in the body. It is abundant in us from babies and like most things, declines with age so has been found to be an extremely beneficial supplement in helping with the health of the hair.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, Collagen surrounds the hair strands, but as we age collagen breaks down, causing hair to be more vulnerable to breaking. Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen making it a good hair growth vitamin to take or a plain collagen supplement can also give good results.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil, although not a vitamin has been traditionally used to increase circulation to the scalp.
MSM
MSM, helps to aid in the production of keratin (a protein in the hair) while also helping to strengthen hair follicles. A study carried out found 100 percent of people who supplemented with MSM showed reduced hair loss and increased growth in only six weeks.
In conclusion hair health can be caused by numerous factors and it can sometimes be best to find hair growth vitamins which include a combination of all the above nutrients to address as many aspects of the hair health as possible.