There are plenty of shampoos, conditioners and hair masks that claim to keep our hair healthy and strong from the outside in, but what about from the inside? What can we do to make sure that our hair gets all the nutrients and minerals it needs to be truly healthy?
What we put into our bodies needs to have some benefit, meaning that any food or drink we consume should be packed full of vitamins and minerals. However, sometimes our diets fail to give us everything we need, which is why vitamin supplements can be the perfect solution.
Why does our hair need essential vitamins?
Like the cells in our body, our hair needs a certain cocktail of vitamins and minerals in order to keep itself healthy. It also needs a good foundation in order to thrive, which is where vitamins come into play.
What vitamins and minerals does our hair need?
When it comes to which vitamins our hair needs, the four below are the most essential to the growth of healthy hair follicles.
Protein
Our hair and fingernails are made up of mostly protein, specifically keratin. Protein helps to keep our hair strong and protected from damage.
Zinc
Zinc helps to protect the hair follicles, allowing them to repair and grow. A deficiency in zinc has been proven to have a slight contribution to hair loss, by interrupting the normal hair growth pattern.
Biotin
Biotin helps to repair hair from our daily routine that can cause damage. Beauty processes such as over-shampooing, blow drying and heat styling all damage the hair shingles. Biotin helps to rebuild some of that damage.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is vital to keeping our immune system in tip-top condition. A poor immune system means our bodies are at risk of various diseases and illnesses, some of these can cause hair loss conditions, including alopecia.
What are the benefits of taking vitamins and supplements for our hair?
It’s important that you don’t overload your body with vitamins and minerals. Check what you’re eating daily and work out how much of each vitamin you already get through your diet. You can do this with the help of a dietitian, or with apps such as Myfitnesspal. Once you know what vitamins are lacking from your diet, you can look at supplements that may help you bump up the levels of vitamins that your hair is calling out for.
Keeping our bodies balanced can provide a world of different benefits, of which keeping your hair healthy and strong is one of the most prominent. Make sure you’re combining external care with internal care to get the best results. Simple daily activities like including more fruit and veg into your diet, or doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, can dramatically improve your overall health.