3 Vitamins and Their Roles in Hair Health

Vitamins play a significant role in the overall health of the human body. Vitamin deficiencies may even affect the ability to grow healthy, thick hair. Hair loss can occur when cell growth or repair slows due to too few vitamins entering the body. Anyone experiencing hair loss or slow hair growth should learn more about the importance of Vitamins B, C, and D.

Let’s Look at 3 Vitamins and Their Roles in Hair Health

1. Hair Growth With Vitamin B

Multiple types of Vitamin B exist, and many play a role in hair health. Vitamin B1 can prevent hair loss because it helps to control blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause a hormonal imbalance if left uncorrected, and fluctuations in hormones may cause hair loss.

Vitamin B2 helps build cells, including those necessary for new hair growth. Vitamin B5 helps prevent inflammation in the body that can inhibit hair growth. Vitamin B12 does not necessarily help hair grow faster or stronger but, a deficiency of the vitamin can lead to hair loss. Other types of Vitamin B also play roles in the body that can aid hair growth or reduce hair loss.

The right diet can help keep adequate amounts of B-vitamins in the body, but some people may find it challenging. Vegans and vegetarians, or those who cannot consume lactose, could develop a vitamin deficiency because Vitamin B is in meat and dairy products. Spinach is also high in Vitamin B, but not everyone finds the vegetable appetizing.

2. Iron Absorption From Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important nutrient, also known as ascorbic acid, that is necessary for body tissue. The vitamin keeps the immune system functioning and helps bones, teeth, and cartilage stay healthy. Vitamin C does not directly benefit hair growth, but it allows the body to absorb iron. Inadequate iron in the body may lead to hair loss.

Iron deficiencies are a common cause of thinning hair. Women in their child-bearing years face an elevated risk of iron deficiencies because of their menstrual cycles. Iron levels may also drop if people do not eat enough red meat or if they exercise vigorously. Vitamin C allows the body to absorb more iron from food or supplements, so the benefits begin sooner.

Vitamin C is in many fruits and vegetables. People that dislike fresh produce can try other ways to incorporate the foods into their diet. Smoothies may make eating fruit easier.  Shredded vegetables added to muffins, casseroles, and meatloaf can enable people to eat vegetables without realizing it.

3. Better Growth With Vitamin D

Medical research has linked Vitamin D deficiency to hair loss. Patients with alopecia, a condition that can lead to bald patches on the scalp or elsewhere, often have a deficiency in Vitamin D. The vitamin can help reduce hair loss by stimulating older hair follicles. The follicle remains healthier, so the hair only sheds at its usual rate.

Thinning hair often begins when people continue to shed hair as expected but fail to produce enough new hair. Vitamin D also provides the same stimulation benefits for new follicles so that the hair growth continues.

To get enough Vitamin D, people need sunshine, a healthy diet that includes fatty fish and seafood, and fortified foods like orange juice or cereal. The habit of wearing sunscreen to protect the skin could cause a deficiency because it prevents the skin from absorbing the Vitamin D it would receive from sunshine.

Thinning hair and bald patches could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency.  It is not always easy to get all the vitamins and minerals needed through food. At Phyllotex, our products make it easier for the body to have the vitamins it needs for healthier and more beautiful hair. Visit our website or contact us to learn more about what we offer.