Did you know that your diet has a huge impact on the health of your hair and scalp? Nutrition includes vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and how they work together. Some vitamins require specific minerals to be absorbed, so no matter how much of the correct vitamin you are consuming if you don’t have what it requires to be absorbed in the body you are going to miss out on the benefits.
In this guide, I’m going to reveal the 6 vitamins & minerals your body needs to increase hair growth.
Plus, I will debunk the hair supplement myth and potentially save you a lot of your hard-earned money.
Once you know what vitamin deficiencies cause hair loss PLUS how to pick the right vitamins your body needs for stronger hair growth, you can once again look forward to a happy future of longer, stronger & thicker hair.
What Is Diffused Hair Loss?
Diffused hair loss, sometimes called Telogen Effluvium, is a condition linked with many vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Please note you will not go bald from this, it is rare that it is even visible.
6 Vitamins & Minerals To Help With Hair Growth
Let’s talk about a few key players when it comes to nutrition and your hair. We will also talk about how to incorporate them into your diet.
Iron
Iron is so important to grow healthy hair; stored iron is called ferritin and its levels are often checked in blood tests. Women have a hard time with their iron levels due to menstruation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) will aid in Iron absorption.
Vitamin C is found in a tequila sunrise. 😉
A deficiency in Iron can result in diffused hair loss. Diffused hair loss is hair shedding from all areas of the head. With this form of diffused hair loss, it will continue gradually until the deficiency is addressed. Once iron levels are restored, the hair loss will decrease until it is back to a normal amount of hair loss. (100 hairs lost per day is normal and healthy).
Foods that are rich in Iron:
- pumpkin seeds
- tofu
- whole grains
- leafy greens
- fruits
- red meat
- broccoli
- edamame
Zinc
Zinc can not be manufactured in the body and a Zinc deficiency often results in hair loss.
Dietary sources of Zinc:
- meat
- seafood
- legumes
- seeds
- nuts
- dark chocolate
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with diffused hair loss as well. Vitamin B12 is called Cobalamin and can be found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy and fortified soy and almond milk, and plant- based meats. Vitamin B12 encourages healthy blood flow to the scalp and provides red blood cells which support the hair follicle and cell rejuvenation.
VEGANS BE AWARE!
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to Telogen Effluvium (diffused hair loss) and Androgenetic Alopecia (genetic thinning). A Vitamin D supplement might be right for you. However, we always recommend to check with your doctor first.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 Fatty Acids reduce follicle inflammation and promote scalp circulation. An Essential Fatty Acid
deficiency can result in diffuse hair loss.
You will find omega 3 in:
- mackerel
- salmon
- cod liver oil
- and other fish
Do Hair Supplements Work?
Some hair supplements will contain exactly what you need to get your hair back on track, but most won’t.
There is a high chance that you will spend good money on a hair supplement that won’t do a damn thing for ya.
That is why it is important to see your doctor or a trichologist if you are suffering hair loss.
They will ask questions about the longevity of your hair loss, and what your diet is like, test your levels and make specific recommendations.
xx
B
