Choosing Vitamins For Hair Growth

As with everything in your body, the health of your hair depends on the health of your entire self. The things that make your hair either grow well or grow poorly are health decisions that affect your entire well being, and the best way to ensure strong, long, healthy hair is to consume things that ensure health for the whole body. You are what you eat, and your hair is no exception.

Protein: The Building Block Of Healthy Hair

Your hair is essentially dead protein hanging off of your scalp. As a result, your hair is thicker and grows faster when your body has a larger protein intake. When your diet is protein deficient, your body uses the protein it does take in to build more muscles and to burn as energy— which doesn’t leave much protein in the end for hair growth. This leaves each hair shaft thinner, and makes your hair more brittle and prone to breakage. So while it’s not technically a vitamin, being sure to get enough protein in your diet is the first and most important step towards longer, healthier hair. Soy protein has been proven as the most effective type of protein, so go and eat some tofu!

Folic Acid: The Pregnant Mom’s Secret Weapon

Have you ever noticed that many expectant moms have hair that seems to grow much faster while they’re pregnant? The secret isn’t in the pregnancy hormones— it’s in the prenatal vitamin supplements that the moms take every morning. While increasing the amount of folic acid you take in is important for growing your baby, folic acid has been long credited for helping women grow their hair as well. Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is in the B-vitamin complex; getting all the major B vitamins is helpful, but folic acid is the best.

Vitamins C and E

Also helpful and responsible for strong, healthy nail growth, vitamins C and E give your hair the strength and resiliency it needs in order to grow longer and longer without splitting or breaking, as well as giving your hair that signature, enviable shine. You’ll notice vitamin E in particular as an ingredient in many high end shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products, but while vitamin E can help smooth the hair from the outside, it is definitely most effective when ingested. Vitamin C has a reputation as an immune system booster, but it also boosts the efficiency and production of your hair follicles as well.

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