Everyone dreams of having a thick and lustrous hair. But many suffer from hair loss, thinning of hair, premature graying and other such hair problems. To have a healthy hair you must have the essential nutrients that are needed for the hair. They are vitamins, proteins and iron. Among them, vitamins are the most important.
Necessary Vitamins for hair growth are:
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is essential for your hair. It is responsible for keeping your hair shiny and black. Moreover, vitamin A contains anti-oxidants that keep your hair moisturized, preventing the drying of the hair. This vitamin also helps you in getting a strong and thick hair.
Some of the foods rich in vitamin A are:
- Liver
- Egg yolk
- Sweet potatoes and carrots
- Spinach
- Mangoes
- Milk
- Dried apricots
Biotin or vitamin B7:
Biotin is known as the ‘hair growth’ vitamin and another name for this vitamin is H vitamin. It belongs to vitamin B family and is one among the 12 members of the family. It is great for the hair and its proper growth. The health and texture of the hair is improved by taking this vitamin. It is also helpful in treating the brittleness of the hair. Vitamin B7 provides you a thick hair and increases the volume of the hair. The production of fatty acids in the cell needs vitamin B7. It also helps in the growth of the cells and important processes that require fats and amino acids. As all of you know, amino acids are said to be the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids also have an important part in glucogenesis.
So you can say that biotin has a lot of important uses and functions. By taking biotin regularly you will see a sudden increase in the growth of your hair as well as an increase in the volume of the hair, giving you a thick hair. It also provides you a strong hair that do not fall off easily.
Foods rich in biotin are:
- Yeast
- Cauliflower
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Raspberries
- Almonds
- Walnuts
Vitamin B12:
This vitamin also belongs to the vitamin B family and is very essential in preventing hair loss. This is because it helps in the absorption of iron, the deficiency of which leads to hair fall.
Foods that are rich in vitamin B12 are:
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Milk
- Whey powder
- Yogurt
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is important for the hair because it prevents dryness of the hair and the premature graying of the hair. You will have a healthy hair by taking vitamin c daily.
Foods rich in vitamin C are:
- Guavas
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Mandarins
- Strawberries
Vitamin E:
Like other vitamins discussed above, vitamin E is also very essential for your hair. It helps you to prevent dryness of the hair and protect the hair from getting rough. It acts as a moisture lock and prevents the moisture from getting lost form you hair and scalp, making your hair shiny and hydrated. It is also good for increasing the blood circulation in your scalp and in keeping the scalp healthy.
Foods rich in vitamin E are:
- Fish
- Dried herbs
- Almonds
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Cooked spinach
Folic acid:
Folic acid is also a member of vitamin B family and work wonders for the hair. Another name for folic acid is ‘the hair growth vitamins’. This vitamin adds thickness to your hair and also makes it more shiny. It helps in retaining the moisture on the scalp and the hair. Premature graying of the hair is also prevented by folic acid.
Foods rich in folic acid:
Any good source of vitamin B contains folic acid also. However, if you are taking it as a supplement, then vitamin B complex is the best choice. Consuming all whole grains and cereals supply you with this vitamin as they are rich in folic acid.
In addition to these 6 vitamins, there are other two nutrients that are essential for a healthy hair. Vitamins are need for the absorption of these two nutrients. These two nutrients are iron and proteins.
Iron:
Deficiency of iron causes serious conditions like alopecia, increases hair fall and causes breakage of hair. Consuming foods rich in iron is necessary for maintaining the amount of blood in your body. If the body lacks iron, you will suffer from anemia. Increased blood circulation makes your body healthy and is also good for your hair. So, if you are suffering from hair loss, have iron in the right amount and it will help your hair to grow better.
Foods rich in iron are:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Turkey
- Beans
- Red meat
- Dries fruits
Proteins:
Proteins provide you a shiny hair and are also needed for the hair structure. Iron makes the roots of the hair strong. So, without these two nutrients you hair will look dull and without any life. Their deficiency also results in the breakage of the hair and hair loss.
Foods rich in protein are:
- Milk
- Sprouts
- Paneer
- Pulses
- Legumes
When it is difficult for you to get the natural sources of these vitamins, you have to take supplements. Supplements contain vitamins and minerals in the correct proportions and make up for the deficiency of these nutrients in your daily diet. Some of the supplements are:
Pre-natal vitamins:
They contain vitamin B complex in addition to iron and folic acid as they are essential for the treatment of many hair problems.
Viviscal:
This is rich in vitamin C and omega 3 fatty acids, and is excellent for your hair.
Nourage:
Other than being a vitamin supplement, it also contains high dose of keratin, which is needed for the hair follicle build up.
To have a healthy and lustrous hair you must have foods rich in nutrition, in addition to topical treatment.