Thinning hair is a common problem among men. The most common cause is known as male pattern baldness. Many people also blame the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There are also many different medical reasons for people to lose their hair. One possible solution that is advertised heavily on the internet is taking vitamins to grow hair.
The simple truth of the matter is that there is no magic pill that will make hair grow. This includes vitamins. However, there are many vitamins and minerals that can affect how healthy the hair is and how well it grows. Some of these are examined below.
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that helps to produce healthy sebum, the natural oil that is produced by the hair follicles. It is readily available in many food sources. These include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, spinach, carrots, and more. It is also commonly found as a component of quality multivitamins.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. It helps to maintain the skin and hair in good health as well as preventing other health problems. Common sources are citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, and dark green vegetables.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that improves the circulation of blood in the scalp. This has the benefit of getting more vital nutrients to the hair follicles so that they can produce healthy hair. Food sources include soybeans, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and dried beans. It is also found in many skin and hair care products as a topical application and in many quality multivitamins.
Biotin is a substance that helps to produce keratin, the material that hair and finger/toe nails are made from. It is found in milk, egg yolks, whole grains, rice, and liver.
Several of the B-complex vitamins have been shown to help reduce hair loss. They may not specifically help grow hair, but in combination with those already listed, they help keep the hair one already has while the others help promote healthy growth.
