Shampoos, conditioners, and even an expensive hair treatment at the spa are all great, but the best thing you can do for your hair is to eat a healthy diet. Vitamins and minerals are crucial in keeping your hair follicles healthy—which translates to hair that grows faster, and is stronger and more shiny.
These are some of the most important vitamins and minerals for your hair. Include them in your daily diet, and you’ll see and feel the results.
Vitamin A and beta carotene
Have you ever seen a rabbit who’s ever had a bad hair day? Kidding aside, beta carotene and Vitamin help with the development of your skin, hair and nails. These are also rich in anti-oxidants, which neutralize the damage caused by free radicals. Since your hair is barraged by environmental toxins (including sun exposure, pollution, cigarette smoke, etc) it needs all the anti-oxidants it can get!
So load up on carrots, plus other yellow and orange vegetables like sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Broccoli is also an excellent source.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is also packed with anti-oxidants. Aside from neutralizing free radicals, it strengthens the cell membranes. So, regular intake of Vitamin E makes your hair stronger and less prone to breakage. You can take Vitamin E supplements, or get it from food like fish, whole grains, nuts and even peanut butter. Vitamin E is also good for the skin, too! (You can also read our article on natural ways to make hair thicker.)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, and since their hair is made of both protein and collagen, regular intake of Vitamin C is crucial for proper hair growth. You can get Vitamin C from citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, as well as strawberries and tomatoes. Green peppers also have some of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C!
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is truly a wonder vitamin. It an help boost concentration and mood, helps minimize menstrual cramps, and is essential to healthy hair, skin and nails. There are different kinds of B vitamins but the most important are folate, biotin and inositol,. Folate is crucial in making your hair and nails stronger, because of the role it plays in cell division and protein synthesis. Biotin, which speeds up chemical reacitons, can help hair grow faster. Studies show that Inositol can prevent hair loss and hair thinning.
Get vitamin B from beans, liver, peanut butter, nuts, whole grains, bananas, and chicken.
photo from hairstyles.1st-clothing.com