Most people view a thick, healthy-looking, full head of hair as a sign of good overall health. While many factors influence hair growth, nutrition plays a key role, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a common cause of hair loss.
Biotin
The B-vitamin known as Biotin, also called vitamin B7, is an essential vitamin that the body needs to function well. Biotin is involved in a wide range of processes, helping metabolize amino acids, fats, and carbohydrates. Biotin helps turn food into energy and breaks down protein into the amino acids needed for optimal hair growth.
Research shows that Biotin improves keratin's infrastructure, the protein that makes up your hair. Biotin has been shown to increase hair growth in areas that were shedding hair profusely or thin by enhancing your hair's volume and strength. Biotin is found in many foods, including salmon, eggs, sunflower seeds, avocados, and is available as a supplement.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that all cells need for growth. Among its other functions, vitamin A is responsible for the health of your hair follicles and hair. Vitamin A helps your glands produce sebum, the oily substance that moisturizes the scalp and protects your hair.
Research has found that vitamin A deficiencies may lead to several problems, including significant hair loss. If you are experiencing dry scalp or your hair is brittle, increasing your intake of this vitamin may be a simple solution.
Vitamin A is found naturally in foods such as eggs, yogurt, and milk. Nutrient-rich foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and others high in beta-carotene also raise levels because your body converts this nutrient into vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce free radicals, protecting the hair follicles from damage that can interfere with hair growth. Vitamin E is beneficial for nourishing the scalp and is crucial to healthy hair growth, adding shine and a protective layer to your hair.
Research suggests that vitamin E can slow hair loss and significantly increase hair growth, especially when combined with other treatments. Vitamin E has been shown to balance out sebum production on the scalp and helps to reduce oxidative stress and improve scalp circulation.
You can increase your vitamin E intake naturally by including foods like avocados, spinach nuts, and leafy greens in your diet. Vitamin E is found in many topical hair treatments and beauty products because it has proven to promote and support a healthy scalp, hair follicles, and hair.
Iron
Iron is an essential trace element used to carry oxygen from your lungs to every area of the body, including your scalp and hair follicles. Inadequate iron supplies can deprive the hair follicles of the oxygen needed to produce healthy strands of hair. Iron also enables the body to use protein more efficiently, improving the strength of your hair.
Hair loss is a common symptom of low iron, and some research suggests a correlation between an iron deficiency and female pattern baldness. Green leafy vegetables, lentils, cashews, and many types of seeds are good sources of iron.
Zinc
Zinc is involved in many of the body's physiological processes, with some research suggesting that low levels may contribute to hair loss. The trace mineral is a common ingredient found in many over-the-counter dandruff shampoos. Zinc helps repair damaged hair and helps maintain function of the sebaceous gland, responsible for producing sebum. Zinc is plentiful in many foods, including greens, nuts, seeds, and rice.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Mane Image
Most scalp and hair issues begin subtly and progress over time, leading to visibly thinning hair or hair loss. Increased shedding, a dry, itchy scalp, or changes in your hair texture can be symptoms of several conditions, including a vitamin and mineral deficiency.
At Mane Image, our team of professionals can help determine the potential cause of your hair loss and recommend steps or solutions to improve the health of your hair. If you are experiencing issues with your scalp or hair, contact us today and schedule your FREE initial consultation.
