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Hair Nutrients (Best Hair Vitamins)
Home » Health Conditions » Hair Nutrients (Best Hair Vitamins)
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hair loss
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Natural Remedies (Hair Loss)
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A certain amount of hair loss daily is quite normal. We usually lose up to 100 hairs every day, which is about the number that re-grows. Excessive hair loss happens when we lose more hair than we grow back. It can be due to a number of possible causes, such as diet imbalances that result in a lack of necessary hair nutrients, stress, illness, medication, infection, chemical toxicity, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, rapid weight loss, hormones, and genetic predisposition.
In fact the most common reason for excessive loss of hair is nutrition and diet deficiencies, which cause the body to be short of hair nutrients and vitamins for hair growth, including certain minerals and the B vitamins.
Laboratory research has clearly shown that when these nutrients were lacking, loss of hair occurred. In severe cases of deficiency, hair actually dropped out in bunches. The good news is that, where hair loss is due to nutrient deficiency, the condition is reversible. A diet rich in the important hair nutrients was able to regain hair that was lost.
The best hair vitamins for hair growth are listed below together with foods that are rich in these hair nutrients and that might therefore help prevent hair loss taking place, or act as natural remedies for hair loss.
If hair loss is also accompanied by other hair problems, brittle nails, or dry skin, it could be a sign that not just specific hair nutrients are lacking, but that there is overall nutritional deficiency. Xtend-Life's page on Hair, Nails and Skin details the relationship between these and overall health.
What nutrient deficiencies can lead to hair loss :
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DIETARY ELEMENT | DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS | FOODS |
Biotin
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More on Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin that is recognized as one of the most important hair nutrients, and best hair vitamins or natural remedies. Hair loss or
thinning of hair which may lead to total hair loss (alopecia) eventually is one of the most obvious signs of insufficient biotin.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Biotin : |
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brittle nails and hair |
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dry scaly scalp or face in infants (cradle crap), or in various parts of the body in adults |
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mental depression |
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insomnia |
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intestinal tract symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting |
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fatigue or extreme exhaustion due to impaired energy production |
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muscle pain or cramps related to physical exertion |
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nervo-muscular symptoms like seizures, numbness and tingling of extremities, and movements characterized by lack of muscle tone and coordination |
Biotin-rich foods providing vitamins for hair growth or to prevent hair loss include
· organ meats such as liver · carrots · romaine lettuce · swiss chard · tomatoes.
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Inositol
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More on Inositol
Inositol is another of the B vitamins that are important hair nutrients. Inositol deficiency can lead to hair loss in women; causes general
hair loss or alopecia or patchy baldness.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Inositol : |
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eye abnormalities |
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memory loss |
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eczema |
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constipation |
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higher cholesterol level |
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liver excess fat |
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hardening and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) |
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lower levels of inositol have been found in the nerves of people with multiple sclerosis and diabetic nerve disorders |
Inositol-rich foods that might be useful for brittle hair natural remedies, hair loss prevention, or to regain hair
· cereals with high bran content · lecithin · fruits especially bananas, citrus fruit like oranges and grapefruit (except lemons) and cantaloupes · green leafy vegetables.
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Copper
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More on Copper
Copper is one of the important hair nutrients. While excessive copper is known to cause hair loss, lack of copper is also detrimental to healthy hair. Copper is needed for production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin and hair its color.
Deficiency of copper can also cause
hypothyroidism (under-production of thyroid hormones) which can lead to dry brittle hair, hair loss, brittle nails, coarse dry pale skin, weight gain, intolerance to cold, fatigue, depression, irritability, poor memory, muscle or joint pain, constipation, decreased libido, heavy periods or menstrual irregularities.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Copper : |
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early symptoms are osteoporosis, osteopenia (lower bone mineral density than normal, but not as low as for osteoporosis) and joint problems |
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retarded growth or abnormalities in bone development in infants and young children |
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anemia that is characterized by lack of improvement with iron therapy alone |
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loss of skin or hair color |
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impaired immune function that may lead to frequent infections |
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impaired nerve function that may lead to taste insensitivity and lack of physical coordination |
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inelastic blood vessels that rupture easily |
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elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels |
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irregular heart beat |
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breathing difficulties |
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skin sores |
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Menkes disease that occurs mostly in male infants, characterized by sparse greyish or colorless twisted hair, and floppy muscle tone |
Foods high in copper that can help prevent hypothyroidism, hair loss, and loss of hair color include
· cashew nuts · dried beans like soybeans, adzuki beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), lentils, lima, navy beans · dried spirulina · crimini mushrooms · shiitake mushrooms · sesame seeds.
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Iron
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More on Iron
Iron is another of the hair nutrients. Studies have shown that iron deficiency and iron depletion are factors in hair loss in women. Causes include the role of iron in oxygenation of body tissues, and normal growth and maintenance of hair. A lack of iron can lead to symptoms such as brittle hair and
hair loss.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Iron : |
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iron-deficiency anemia, with symptoms that may include headaches, dizziness, irritability, pale skin, cold hands and feet, lack of energy, rapid heartbeat, brittle nails, shortness of breath, sore or inflamed tongue or mouth, lack of appetite |
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food cravings for inedible items such as ice, paint, starch, clay, or dirt |
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increased intestinal inflammation or irritation |
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depression or apathy |
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insomnia or disturbed sleep |
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decrease in ability to concentrate |
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impaired mental skills that can affect memory and job performance |
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learning disabilities and short attention spans in children |
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irregular menstrual periods |
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brittle hair |
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nails that are spoon-shaped or that have ridges running lengthwise |
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higher risk of lead poisoning in children |
Foods rich in iron providing important hair nutrients that might help regain hair include
· animal liver · blackstrap molasses · beef · eggs (especially the yolk) · shiitake mushrooms · dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, swiss chard, turnip greens · green beans such as winged beans, string beans · dried beans like kidney beans, lentils · soybeans and soy products, especially tofu · rice bran and wheat bran.
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Iodine
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More on Iodine
Iodine is included as one of the hair nutrients, as iodine deficiency can contribute to
hypothyroidism (under-production of thyroid hormones) which can lead to symptoms such as dry brittle hair, hair loss, brittle nails, coarse dry pale skin, intolerance to cold, fatigue or weakness, poor memory, depression, irritability, weight gain, muscle or joint pain, constipation, decreased libido, infertility, menstrual irregularities or heavy periods, and in more severe cases, hoarseness, decreased sense of taste and smell, mental impairment, skin thickening, and puffy face, hands or feet.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Iodine : |
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goiter characterized by an enlarged thyroid gland which may cause a choking feeling or difficulty with breathing and swallowing |
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impaired immune system leading to susceptibility to infections |
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hearing loss in children |
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severe deficiency during pregnancy, breastfeeding or infancy can lead to neuro-cognitive defects in the baby and problems with growth, speech and hearing; a very severe form is cretinism, characterized by brain damage, speech problems, hearing loss, apathy, spasticity, and stunted growth |
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even mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy can hamper growth of the child's brain and lead to low intelligence |
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congenital hypothyroidism is the most common cause of mental retardation in children |
Iodine-rich foods that help prevent hypothyroidism, hair loss, and brittle hair include
· salt-water fish · seafood and shellfish · seaweed like dulse, bladderwrack, kelp, nori · iodized table salt.
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Selenium
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More on Selenium
The mineral selenium is one of the hair nutrients, as selenium helps the body properly utilize proteins and hormones to produce hair.
Research also indicates that
selenium deficiency worsens the effect of iodine deficiency on thyroid function, leading to hypothyroidism with symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, irritability, depression, poor memory, weight gain, constipation, intolerance to cold, heavier or lighter menstruation than normal, coarse dry pale skin, dry brittle hair, hair loss, and brittle nails, and that selenium supplements may help protect against goiter.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Selenium : |
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weaker immune system leading to susceptibility to stress and illnesses |
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greater incidence of cancer, especially gynaecological, gastrointestinal, esophageal, lung, and prostate cancer |
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rheumatoid arthritis patients tend to have low blood levels of selenium |
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elevated blood pressure |
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risk of arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis (hardening and/or narrowing of the arteries), leading to heart or coronary artery disease |
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loose skin |
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hair or skin discoloration |
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whitened fingernail beds |
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Keshan disease (heart disorder characterized by inflamed heart muscles) |
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Kashin-Beck disease (disabling disease of bones and joints, characterized by stunted growth, bone deterioration, and deformity of joints) |
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severe deficiency along with malnutrition can cause muscle breakdown characterized by pain or weakness in the muscles |
Selenium-rich foods that alleviate iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism, hair loss, and brittle hair include
· Brazil nuts (one of the most concentrated selenium food sources) · mushrooms (button, shiitake, reishi) · fish (cod, flounder, halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon, smelts, red snapper, swordfish, tuna) · seafood (lobster, oyster, scallops, shellfish, shrimp).
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Zinc
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More on Zinc
Zinc is one of the important hair nutrients as it promotes cell production and tissue growth. Lack of zinc can contribute to shedding of hair, and hair loss in women. Causes include hair shafts that are weakened, leading to hair breakage, and slow re-growth. Having enough zinc in the diet can therefore help prevent excessive
hair loss.
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Other symptoms that may indicate deficiency of Zinc : |
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impaired sense of smell and taste |
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impaired immune function |
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susceptibility to pneumonia and other infections in malnourished children and the elderly |
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skin ulcers |
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slow wound healing |
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retarded growth in infants and children |
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delayed sexual maturation |
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hypogonadism in males (where the body does not produce enough testosterone hormone) |
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impotence |
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reduced thyroid hormone output |
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lowered glucose tolerance with increased risk of diabetes |
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decreased metabolic rate |
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mental lethargy |
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depression |
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lack of appetite |
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unexplained weight loss |
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diarrhea |
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skin rashes or skin lesions |
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eye lesions |
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night blindness (difficulty with seeing in the dark) |
Foods high in zinc (hair nutrients that might help in natural remedies & hair loss) include
· liver · meat (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, venison) · mushrooms · raw oysters.
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