Monday, 17 March 2014

Learn About Vitamins for Hair Growth

Looking for vitamins for hair growth? One of the first things we notice when we look at someone is their hair. What color is it? Is it full and vibrant? Is it limp and thin? Is it there? Huge amounts of money are spent on hair products that really do little to improve the health of your hair. Healthy hair is made from the inside out. While genetics plays a role, a good diet and healthful lifestyle are key factors in determining hair growth. Do you get the needed vitamins for hair growth in your diet? If you suffer from any nutritional deficiencies, it will show up in your hair as brittleness, damage or slower growth.

Let's take a look at some particular vitamins for hair growth, essential minerals and supplements that your body needs to grow healthy hair.

-= List of Vitamins for Hair Growth =-

Vitamin A is an antioxidant, important to hair follicles, by producing sebum in the scalp, which keeps the hair roots lubricated. A lack of Vitamin A causes a dry scalp, dandruff, and dry unhealthy-looking hair. As well, vitamin A is essential for over-all good health. Beta-Carotene, a vitamin A precursor, is an excellent source to enable your body to produce vitamin A. 10,000 to 15,000 IU of Beta-Carotene daily is a good recommended amount of this vitamin for hair growth or 5000 IU of Vitamin A.

Vitamin B is especially important for hair growth and health. Hair loss has been shown to occur when your diet is deficient in B vitamins, especially B2,B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12. Let's look at each of these essential B vitamins for hair growth:

-= All B Vitamins for Hair Growth =-

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is needed by the body in order to to use oxygen and to metabolize amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Further, it is needed to activate vitamin B6 and help produce vitamin B3, which play key roles in hair growth. 50 mg. daily is recommended, best taken as a B complex vitamin and in combination with Vitamin C to help with absorption.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) promotes blood circulation to your scalp.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) helps in preventing graying and hair loss and promotes hair regrowth by helping convert food to energy.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is used to produce melanin, determining hair color, and also helps prevent hair loss. B6 has been clinically shown to stimulate hair growth. B6 plays a major role in red blood cell metabolism and cellular growth, producing hemoglobin, a compound within red blood cells that carries oxygen to body tissue. Because of this and because B6 itself increases the amount of oxygen carried within the hemoglobin, vitality extends to all parts of the body, including the scalp and hair. The dosage for vitamin B-6 is 50 mg. daily.

Vitamin B7, also known as Biotin or Vitamin H, naturally occurs in our bodies promoting hair growth, increasing hair's elasticity, protects hair against becoming dry, and thickens cuticles giving the appearance of a fuller head of hair.

Biotin also aids metabolism of fatty acids, carbohydrates and protein, but is best known for strengthening hair and nails. Those who experience hair loss can restore their hair by supplementing with a Vitamin B complex with a B7 dose of 30 to 100 micrograms per day for adults.

Vitamin B9 or folic acid, helps maintain hemoglobin levels in the blood, which transports oxygen from the lungs to your body's tissues, including your scalp. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin B9 is 100 mcg.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)is essential to the formation of healthy red blood cells. Like B9, vitamin B12 helps the transport of oxygen to body tissues, including hair follicles which require enough oxygen to sustain hair growth. Many who suffer from hair loss are found deficient in Vitamin B12.

A dose of 50 mg of a good Vitamin B-Complex is a good place to start for healthy hair growth.

Vitamin C is important in maintaining strong, healthy capillaries that carry blood to hair follicles, thereby improving scalp circulation. Suggested dose is one to two grams daily of Vitamin C with bioflavonoids.

Vitamin E improves circulation to all parts of the body, increasing oxygen uptake, which improves circulation to the scalp. By increasing blood circulation, more nutrients become available to the hair follicles, making them stronger,and healthier. As hair health is a reflection of immune system health, it is believed that vitamin E stimulates hair growth by enhancing immune function. 400 to 800 IU daily is suggested, starting at the lower dosage and gradually working up to the higher, for improved hair growth. Also, always use the natural form of vitamin E ( d’alpha tocopherol) and carefully avoid the synthetic form (dl’alpha tocopherol), a petroleum derivative.

Zinc is required to stimulate hair growth by improving immune function. Take zinc supplements in low doses, such as 5mg, to prevent it from robbing your body of essential copper necessary for good health.

Sulfur and Magnesium are two minerals required for overall good health leading to hair growth.

Silica is another mineral vital to hair growth, found abundantly in the herb Horsetail. Horsetail needs to be taken in an aqueous extract. Nettle is also a good source of silica. Nettle Root Extract is an easy and effective way to insure adequate intake of silica for maintaining healthy hair growth. Recommended dosages of silica: Horsetail - 300 mg. daily , or Nettle - 250 mg. three times daily.

L-Cysteine and L-Methionine are amino acids which not only prevent hair loss, but also improve the texture and quality of growing hair. The recommended dosage is 500 mg each twice daily on an empty stomach.

Coenzyme Q10 aids in hair growth by increasing oxygen uptake in tissues and improving circulation to the scalp. Take 60 mg daily.

Evening Primrose Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Salmon oil and other oils from deep-water fish, all supplements of Essential Fatty Acids(EFA's) are also quite beneficial for hair growth, for improving hair texture, preventing dry, brittle hair. One Tbsp. daily of Flaxseed oil, or other oils as directed is recommended.

Saw Palmetto is an herb shown to inhibit DHT, which plays a major role in male pattern baldness. This is an excellent herb for men who wish regrow hair using the natural goodness of herbs. It is not recommended for women.

Overall, the best vitamins for hair growth come from a healthful diet. When you nourish your body, your hair will reflect that good health. Your goal is to find a wise balance between adequate supplements and proper nutrition.

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