“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
One of those vital nutrients is B12, also known as cobalamin. B12 promotes healthy hair growth by assisting in the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, which feed hair follicles.
Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that promotes skin, hair and nails health.
Vitamin D stimulates hair follicles to grow, and so when the body does not have enough, the hair may be affected. A vitamin D deficiency may also be linked to alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
Magnesium has a direct impact on hair growth. It regulates hair follicle production and the overall hair growth cycle, making it an essential mineral for healthy hair growth. When magnesium levels are low, hair follicles go into a resting phase and stop producing new hair, leading to hair loss.
At the top of the list of essential vitamins for hair growth is biotin, also known as Vitamin B7. Whenever you see vitamins for hair growth, biotin is at the top of the list. It's also important for healthy nail growth. A vitamin deficiency involving biotin causes hair loss, brittle nails, and nerve damage.
Both vitamin D deficiency, as well as vitamin D excess, may cause hair loss.”
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin is one of the eight B vitamins and one of the best vitamins for thicker hair. Biotin helps your body break down the food you eat into energy. It also plays a vital role in the production of keratin, the protein that makes up hair.
Androgens, such as testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and their prohormones dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A) are the key factors in the growth of terminal hair.
Yes! Your hair will grow back as soon as you treat the deficiency. On restoration of vitamin B12 in your body, your hair cells will replicate adequately and support your hair follicles to grow healthy hair. It just takes a few months of following a systematic diet plan to reverse vitamin B12 deficiency hair loss.
Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes) [2,12].
Iron deficiency (ID) is the world's most common nutritional deficiency and is a well-known cause of hair loss.
Iron and Hair Health. If you are not getting enough iron through your diet, you may experience excessive hair shedding (Telogen Effluvium). You may also find that your hair will not grow past a certain length.
Some studies have shown that our hair follicles are closely intertwined with parts of the immune system that support healthy hair growth. As a result, a zinc deficiency is thought to be associated with hair loss. For this reason, zinc supplements have historically been recommended as a hair loss treatment.
Studies show that too much vitamin A can contribute to hair loss, as can too much selenium, although more studies are needed to establish the latter relationship. Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels.
Biotin. Also known as vitamin B7, biotin is a key building block of thick, healthy hair. Found in eggs, as well as most fruits and vegetables, biotin is an important nutrient that's easy to incorporate into your diet.
Calcium Build-up: Magnesium is important for regulating calcium levels in the body. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to excess calcium build-up in the hair follicles, which can cause hair breakage and hair loss.
Zinc is also an essential nutrient for hair growth, and a severe zinc deficiency could lead to hair loss.
While iron and zinc help with hair's shine and luster, magnesium plays an important role in promoting follicle hair growth, which results in healthy hair growth. Most experts agree that magnesium is nature's anti-stress mineral, which is a major component in hair loss.