Everyone can agree that having healthy hair is a trait we all desire. Healthy hair isn’t just a sign of beauty, but it is also a sign of good health. Like all the other parts of our body, our hair also needs a set of nutrients in order to be healthy and grow better. Hence, in this article, we will talk about what vitamins are good for hair growth and thickness.

When it comes to hair health, other than vitamins, there are various minerals and proteins that are absolutely essential. With proper intake in the right proportions, they will ensure that you have thick and fast-growing hair.

Do Vitamins Really Make That Much of a Difference?

Yes, vitamins can do wonders for your hair. It provides it with all the natural and essential nutrients that your body requires in order to produce glossy and thick hair. In a nutshell, the right diet is about 90% of what is needed for the thick and long hair that you desire.

Having all the necessary vitamins on a regular basis will ensure that they travel into your bloodstream, reach all the essential organs, and then, at last, to your hair cortex and hair follicles. This is where they get used for growing beautiful and thick hair.

What Is the Difference Between Hair Growth and Hair Thickness?

Hair growth and hair thickness are two very different things. Hair growth refers to the rate at which the hair grows. This rate could possibly be affected by multiple factors such as diet, hair care, genetics, and general health.

Hair volume or thickness, on the other hand, refers to the appearance of the greater mass in your hair. This, too, is affected by what we mentioned earlier. However, in addition to those, even the kind of haircut makes a difference to the volume of your hair.

What Vitamins Are Good for Hair Growth and Thickness?

While hair growth and the hair thickness are two different things, you can tackle both of these issues in one blow. All the vitamins, minerals, and proteins you consume make a difference for both of them.

Here is a list of the best vitamins to take for hair growth and hair thickness:

Vitamin A

All the cells in our body require vitamin A in order to grow. These include our hair cells too, which is the second fastest-growing tissue in our body. This vitamin is also essential to help keep our skin glands create the oily substance called the sebum, which helps moisturize the scalp and keep them healthy.

Diets that are deficient in this vitamin will lead to several health problems including hair loss. However, as important as it may be to get enough of this vitamin, too much of it is not good for you as well. In fact, it can also be dangerous. Studies have shown that excess of vitamin A leads to hair loss too.

You will find vitamin A naturally in carrots, kale, spinach, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. These are also all high in beta-carotene. Additionally, you can find vitamin A in eggs, yogurt, and milk. Cod liver, in particular, is a good source of this vitamin too.

B-Vitamins

B-vitamins, also called biotin, is considered to be one of the best-known vitamins for hair growth. In fact, a deficiency of this vitamin in the body is known to cause hair loss in humans. Biotin is used extensively as a treatment for hair loss. However, those who are genuinely deficient in it show the best results.

That being said, having a biotin deficiency is extremely rare as this occurs naturally in a lot of foods. Furthermore, the effectiveness of biotin for hair growth in a healthy individual is suspect as there is lack of data on it.

Other B-vitamins are essential as they create red blood cells. These cells carry nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles and the scalp. These processes are extremely important for healthy hair growth.

These vitamins can be easily found in whole grains, seafood, dark and leafy greens, and meat. However, animal foods are considered to be the better sources of vitamin B12.

Vitamin C

This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant, and it helps us protect our bodies against oxidative stress that is caused by free radicals. These free radicals cause our hair to age by blocking the growth.

Vitamin C is essential to create collagen, which is an important part of our hair structure. It also helps in absorbing iron, which is a necessary mineral for hair growth. You can find these naturally in peppers, citrus fruits, guavas, and the likes.

Vitamin D

Having low levels of vitamin D causes alopecia, the technical term for hair loss. It has been shown that vitamin D can help to create new hair follicles. They also play an important role in the hair production. However, the actual role of vitamin D with regards to hair growth is still unknown.

Our bodies produce this vitamin when we are in contact with the sun’s rays. Other sources of this vitamin include cod liver oil, fatty fish, certain mushrooms, and fortified foods. Many people do not get the necessary quantity of vitamin D naturally. So, it will be a good idea to increase its intake via supplements.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is quite similar to vitamin C in that it is also a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent oxidative stress. In fact, there are people suffering from hair loss who experience a significant increase in hair growth after taking vitamin E supplements.

Among the natural sources of vitamin E include almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds, and avocados. These are all both very nutritious and delicious.

Other Essential Nutrients

Vitamins aren’t the only necessary source for healthy hair growth. Minerals and proteins are also essential for having thick and healthy hair. Some of these minerals and proteins include:

• Folic Acid
• Iron Zinc
• Magnesium
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Are Hair Supplements Good?

Food is always the best source of getting the vitamins needed for hair growth, but if you cannot get those in your diet, supplements are the next best option. These supplements, however, are believed to work best on people who are deficient of those particular vitamins.

Furthermore, if you aren’t deficient and consume large doses of these vitamins and minerals, they can be harmful to your well-being. Hence, always consult a doctor before you take these supplements or any other kind of supplement for that matter.

Conclusion

Knowing what vitamins are good for hair growth and thickness are essential even for your overall well-being. It is best to derive these vitamins naturally from foods and not from supplements. An active and healthy lifestyle is also beneficial for good hair growth.

Want more hair growth tips? View our “Best Laser Caps For Hair Regrowth” article.