by Melanie Grimes

Created on: September 19, 2011

Hair loss is a normal process that increases with age. Adding nutrients to the diet through food and supplementation can help hair to grow and prevent hair loss.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps hair regrow because it comprises collagen, an important part of the hair shaft itself.  This nutrient is a known antioxidant and also helps build healthy mucous membranes. Low levels of vitamin A contribute to dry skin, allergies, and night blindness, as well as to hair loss. Sources of vitamin A are carrots, spinach, fish oils, especially cod liver oil, and leafy greens.

Biotin and the B vitamins

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 and was formerly called vitamin H. Known to be important for hair growth, biotin is part of the B complex vitamins. Because biotin turns sugar into energy, it biotin is part of the chemical pathway in fat metabolism and storage. Fat is one of the components of hair, so adding biotin to the diet helps prevent hair loss. The B vitamins are all known to help with relieving stress, and stress can cause hair loss. Therefore, a good B complex vitamin can help reduce hair loss and help hair to grow. Natural food sources of B vitamins include liver and brewer’s yeast.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another important nutrient needed to grow hair. It is added to many skin care products for this purpose. Vitamin E has long been used to help rebuild blood vessels and increase heart health. Because of this function in revitalizing blood vessels, vitamin E contributes to healthy hair. Vitamin applied to the scalp or taken internally can help stimulate circulation to the scalp, which in turn helps hair to grow. A capsule of vitamin E can be opened with a pin and spread on the scalp, or massaged into the hair. Natural sources of vitamin E include avocadoes and fish.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is formulated on the skin when it is exposed to sunlight, but many people around the world have been found to be deficient in this important nutrient, especially people from the northern hemisphere. Vitamin D helps hair to grow because it is part of the metabolic pathway between calcium and phosphates in the body. Vitamin D helps build bones and teeth as well as healthy hair.

Diet for hair growth

Adding vitamins and nutrients to the diet can encourage hair to regrow. Eating whole foods and many servings of vegetables is the best way to ensure proper nutrition for hair growth. Whole grains and vegetables provide more nutrition than processed foods, allowing the body to absorb nutrients without added vitamin supplementation. Hydration is also important to prevent hair loss.

Learn more about this author, Melanie Grimes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.