| In order for our bodies to function healthily on a daily | | | | a special mention as it is particularly beneficial for the |
| basis we need to have an adequate supply of | | | | condition of the hair and scalp and consequently is a |
| vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in our diet and our | | | | popular ingredient in shampoos and conditioners. It helps |
| hair is no different. What we eat can influence the | | | | to produce Keratin and some studies have shown that |
| state of our hair and the rate at which our hair grows. | | | | Biotin in a natural form (as well as folic acid, PABA and |
| Hair follicles consume a high number of nutrients and if | | | | vitamin B5) can help restore hair to its natural colour. |
| the diet is deficient in these nutrients then the result will | | | | Biotin can be found in brewer's yeast, nuts, cheese, |
| be unhealthy looking hair, slower hair growth, thinning of | | | | meat and fish. |
| the hair and hair loss. | | | | Inositol |
| An important point to remember is that the rate at | | | | Again, Inositol is part of the vitamin B complex group of |
| which your hair can grow is finite and what is normal | | | | vitamins and is believed to promote healthy hair growth |
| hair growth for one person can be different for | | | | and healthy hair follicles as well as prevent hair loss. It |
| another. However, on average, hair grows at a rate of | | | | can be found in brewers yeast, cereals, nuts, rice, |
| about a centimetre a month. The trick to faster hair | | | | meat, vegetables and bananas |
| growth is to maximise your own hair growth potential | | | | Vitamin A |
| by making sure your hair and scalp has everything it | | | | Vitamin A is an antioxidant and helps to promote a |
| needs to help it to grow. There is no overnight fix | | | | healthy scalp, which in turn facilitates hair growth. An |
| either, it takes time and effort and several months | | | | important point to note is that in too high quantities, |
| before any changes are noticeable. | | | | vitamin A can be toxic and can be particularly harmful |
| There are several vitamins that are particularly | | | | if taken during pregnancy. Vitamin A can be found in |
| beneficial for the hair and which can facilitate faster, | | | | liver and fish liver oil as well as in dairy produce and |
| healthier hair growth and these are in particular the B | | | | some vegetables. |
| Complex Vitamins, and Vitamins A, C and E. The B | | | | Vitamin C |
| complex vitamins and vitamin C are water soluble, | | | | Vitamin C is an antioxidant and a detoxifier that helps |
| which means they are not stored in the body and | | | | to keep hair and the scalp healthy and is found mostly |
| therefore have to be consumed every day. Vitamins | | | | in citrus fruits and fresh vegetables |
| A and E on the other hand are fat soluble, are stored | | | | Vitamin E |
| by the body, and as such, do not need to be taken | | | | Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that encourages |
| daily. | | | | good blood flow to the scalp. Again, high levels can be |
| B Complex Vitamins | | | | harmful. It can also raise blood pressure and affect the |
| Vitamin B complex vitamins are best taken at the | | | | blood's ability to clot so should not be taken as a |
| same time as they work together and the combined | | | | supplement without seeking advice from a doctor first. |
| properties of the Vitamin B group, which include | | | | It can be found in vegetable oils, seeds, beans and nuts |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin | | | | and in dark green leafy vegetables. |
| B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 | | | | Conclusion |
| (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12, folic acid and the lesser | | | | Vitamins are very powerful and too much can be just |
| known PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid), can help to | | | | as harmful to the body as too little so before taking |
| promote healthy skin and scalp and facilitate healthy | | | | vitamin supplements, it is wise to discuss the option |
| hair growth as well as inhibit greying of the hair and | | | | with your doctor first to eliminate any potential health |
| hair loss. Vitamin B vitamins can be found in meat, fish, | | | | problems that might arise. |
| vegetables, eggs, wholegrain cereals and legumes and | | | | Ideally, the most effective way of obtaining all the |
| of course, Vitamin B Complex supplements. | | | | vitamins and nutrients you need to encourage faster |
| Biotin | | | | hair growth and a healthy head of hair as well as |
| Biotin, sometimes known as Vitamin H, is also part of | | | | promote good health in general, is to obtain them |
| the Vitamin B complex group of vitamins but deserves | | | | naturally through the diet itself. |