Hair Supplements
Are you considering hair supplements because you are worried about your strands health? Are you concerned about weakness, loss or want to know how to grow it faster?
Below is a list of known and famous vitamins and minerals or natural remedies. Get to know the facts before spending money and suffering the side effects.
My personal experience with supplements is with Biotin and unfortunately its not a happy one. While I saw no improvement in growth it does grow body hair. Therefore research and weigh the pros and cons before popping pills in any situation.
Hair fall treatment
Thin and fine strands are conditioned by many factors including your genetics, drugs, medical conditions/diseases, stress, surgery and nutritional deficiencies. A well balanced diet supplemented with vitamins and minerals is all you need for stronger hair which boosts growth.
It can be strengthened with vitamin hair supplements. It is an issue for both men and women who seek treatment. Special formulated shampoos and other care products can only treat the remaining, according to the Bauman Medical Group.
Supplements for hair growth
Supplements are not meant to replace food intake but to enhance our daily levels and to replace some vitamins and minerals which are easily lost. It is best to get one multi vitamin-mineral complex and not buy individual ones.
Hair Supplements - Vitamins for growth
Vitamin A is an antioxidant responsible for cell growth but always follow the requirements indicated. Vitamin A is fat soluble (not easily lost like water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C for instance) therefore taking larger doses of it is dangerous for the body.
As much as it is important and required, too much of Vitamin A can cause hair thinning.
Vitamin A helps maintain the oils in the scalp, keeping the roots lubricated. By eating fish liver oil, liver, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, carrots, red, yellow, and orange vegetables, apricots and peaches you are supplementing the amounts of Vit A.
Ask your physician on the daily amount of Vitamin A you need.
Vitamins B
Some men’s hair loss starts as early as in their 20s. A deficiency of folic acid (B9) might be the cause. However it is recommended to take a Vit B-complex for both men and women.
Thiamin (B1) – Thiamin aids in the removal of carbon dioxide from the body. Food sources: pork, milk, fruit, whole grain and pulses.
Riboflavin (B2) – is used in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Milk, eggs, fish, spinach, liver, asparagus and broccoli.
Niacin (B3) - Promotes blood circulation in your scalp. Found in brewer's yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat.
Pantothenic Acid (B5) – is able to prevent graying and loss. Pantothenic acid is found in the outer layers of the whole grains but through refining most of it is lost. Can be found in whole grain cereals, brewer's yeast, organ meats and egg yolks.
Pyridoxine Hydrocloride (B6) - Prevents loss and gives color (creates melanin). Found in brewer's yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk.
Folic Acid (Folate) (Vitamin B9) – Responsible for regeneration and maintenance of all healthy cells and their genetic material (DNA and RNA) and red and white blood cells. Boiling and heating can destroy this vitamin. Found in: peas and beans, citrus fruits (oranges), whole grain bread and cereals, liver, brewer's yeast and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, dried beans and avocados.
PABA (B-10) – is involved in the production of folic acid by intestinal bacteria. It is important for skin and hair health. Food sources: brewer's yeast, wheat germ, liver, eggs and molasses.
Vitamin B12 - Prevents hair loss. Vitamin B12 is essential for the release of energy from food. Food sources: Chicken, fish, eggs and milk.
Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for vision, growing healthy skin, hair as well as overall health. Food sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables.
Vitamin E - A strong antioxidant that enhances blood circulation in the scalp and promotes healthy skin and hair growth. Food sources: Cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables.
Hair Supplements for faster growth
A popular Hair Supplement - Biotin
Biotin (Vitamin H) - Helps produce keratin (protein), it is believed to make it grow faster and may prevent graying and loss. Found in: Brewer's yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk, kidney, breads, fish, nuts, beans, meat and dairy products. Easily destroyed by cooking processes. Deficiencies in biotin and zinc can cause, or speed up, hair thinning. Biotin is not able to cure baldness. There is no need to take it as an individual supplement.
Two important trace elements are zinc and iron:
Zinc is found in the hair and is vital for normal skin function but needs to be replenished. Zinc deficiency symptoms include eczema on the face and hands, hair loss and variety of others. Zinc and Vitamin A work together and a deficiency in either can lead to dry hair and oily skin as well. Food sources: Spinach, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, shellfish, oysters, red meat, canned fish, hard cheese, whole grains, nuts, brewer's yeast, eggs and pulses.
Iron is an essential trace mineral and a deficiency can result in thin hair especially in women after child birth and more common in menstruating or pregnant women and vegetarians. You need to supplement for thick hair. Food sources: liver, meat, beans, nuts, dried fruits, poultry, fish, whole grains or enriched cereals, soybean flour and most dark green leafy vegetables.
More hair supplements
Manganese Chelate is an essential trace element and prevents slow hair growth and maintenance amongst other enzyme functions. Found in: Whole grain cereals, eggs, avocados, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, fish, meat and chicken.
Brewer’s Yeast contains amino acids which are responsible for hair growth. Amino acids are protein structures and therefore are the basic building blocks of all cells including hair shafts. Food sources: Meat, fish, eggs, milk and soybeans contain all the essential amino acids.
Best Hair Supplements
I found this to have more mineral types than normal ones. Inner Vita Vitamin Formula contains high levels of Biotin.
Are you convinced to start taking supplements? Have you ever tried any? If so share your experiences below..
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