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Top 10 Herbs and Vitamins For Growing Beautiful Hair – and 2 to Avoid
By Olivia |
MOST people don’t eat well enough to nourish their bodies let alone their hair. (Just look around you – or perhaps at your own plate! – if you don’t believe it.) While many factors from medications, aging and the environment can be contributing to lackluster locks, hair problems likely mean your follicles are not getting the nutrition they need to produce hearty, healthy strands. So if you really want your hair to shine, these readily available supplements can help.
Zinc – This mineral encourages growth and slows down hair loss, as well as giving your immune system a boost.
Copper – Your grays may actually be a result of copper deficiency.
Vitamin B complex – All the B vitamins are crucial for growing healthy hair. But in addition to a good complex, you may still want to supplement separately with powerhouses biotin and folic acid, especially at the first signs of hair loss.
PABA – Para-aminobenzoic Acid is considered to be part of the B-complex family and an anti-oxidant, but it is best known for its use in sunscreen. It helps your body metabolize protein and produce folic acid – a hair follicle favorite. It may even darken graying hair in older people, reports have shown.
Vitamin C – A deficiency in this vitamin can cause dry, brittle hair and skin.
Vitamin E – Great for hair, it also helps strengthen cells throughout the body and improves circulation.
Flaxseed Oil – Rich in omega-3′s, flaxseed provides essential fatty acids that can help with dryness and dandruff.
Evening Primrose Oil – This oil is also moisturizing, aiding with dry scalp and hair.
Saw Palmetto – Popular with mature men for maintaining prostate health, this herb has been shown to interfere with DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, a hormonal cause of balding in both men and women. Some studies have shown it to help women with unwelcome facial and body hair.
Nettle Root – Nettle root helps keep your hormones in balance and, like saw palmetto, inhibits the absorption of DHT.
Vitamin A – While some experts recommend taking vitamin A as a hair loss remedy, many others advise against it. For one, over-supplementing with vitamin A (or beta-carotene) can actually make your hair fall out. Research has shown it can impair the body’s ability to absorb other vital carotenoids, such as lycopene and lutein, as well as lead to calcium loss.
Selenium – Here’s another one to be wary of. Get too much of this mineral and you can experience hair loss and a host of other unpleasant side effects including tooth decay, weak nails, change in skin pigment and metallic or sour taste in your mouth.
Topics: Hair Care, Hair Loss | 2 Comments »
December 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am
[...] So first and foremost, eat well. Lots of vitamin- and protein-rich leafy greens and colorful vegetables. (Huh? you ask. Yes, ounce for ounce broccoli and such has far more protein than meat without the fat, cholesterol and calories.) Fill out your plate with beans or lentils and brown rice. Enjoy plenty of fruit. Drink plenty of water. Take high-quality vitamin supplements. [...]
August 26th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
[...] vegetables are nature’s pharmacy. Choosing fresh, organic, whole foods will supply you with hair vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E and [...]