Do you find your hairline thinning with age? Here are the best vitamins for hair growth that will boost your hairline.
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With increasing age, along with the body, hair growth also starts to slow down significantly. You may find your hair looking incredibly dull with brittle ends. Hair falling off from your head in patches and forming a gap in your hair parting is another common occurrence.
Due to their existing illnesses and lack of proper nutrition because of a reduced diet, the elderly are also at a higher risk of developing vitamin deficiencies, which is one of the most common causes of hair loss.
Even though there are good shampoos and topical treatments, hair wellness can truly be revitalized only internally by consuming key nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins. The vitamins nourish your hair follicles from the inside and result in longer and fuller hair growth. At times, they benefit your nails and skin as well.
Thus, let’s take a look at this guide to all the necessary vitamins that may be useful for older adults experiencing reduced hair thickness and unrelenting hair loss.
What to Keep in Mind Before Buying Vitamins?
Firstly, avoid self-diagnosing if you have a vitamin deficiency or not. It’s always a good idea to get in touch with a healthcare professional before trying out any new vitamins. The doctor may recommend blood tests to identify the vital nutrients that your body is deficient in and also eliminate the possibility of any underlying health issues.
This will also ensure that you do not take any vitamins or supplements that you might have an allergic reaction to. Alongside, you can consider consulting a nutritionist to create a diet plan that will increase your hair growth.
When it comes to choosing vitamin supplements, you might find yourself getting overwhelmed with the number and variety of products available in the market.
Make sure you purchase supplements only from a trusted buyer who offers a clinical backing or a third-party seal of approval such as NSF or ConsumerLab. This approval will ensure that the supplements have been adequately tested for quality and purity.
Most supplements are independently regulated, allowing brands to claim simulated results on the labels and advertisements. You must look for organic supplements with an ingredient list free from artificial chemicals and toxins like sulfates and parabens.
Even if positive research studies exist on most vitamins, you must remember that they do not guarantee any notable changes in your hair growth due to limited participation.
Top Vitamins For Hair Growth
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, contributes to the growth of all cells in the human body, including hair. It’s a key player in the production and secretion of sebum – the scalp oil that prevents hair damage and breakage. You can get up your vitamin A intake by eating more peaches and carrots.
Vitamin B – Biotin, B12
Found in foods such as whole grain, legumes, leafy greens, and eggs, Vitamin B regulates your metabolism and nervous system health. Vitamin B2, B6, B7, and B12 – the B Complex Vitamins, in particular, are known to support your hair health.
Since all the B-vitamins are water-soluble, you can consume them daily without worrying about accumulation as your body gets rid of the excess through urine. As per the National Institutes of Health, there is no direct medical link between Vitamin B supplements and hair growth.
But the deficiency of biotin or Vitamin B7 leads to hair loss, premature graying of hair, and even brittle nails. Thus, you can take biotin supplements to meet your vitamin needs better and even have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. According to doctors, the recommended dose of biotin per day is between thirty to hundred mg.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is among the essential nutrients you must add to your diet to boost hair growth by consuming bell peppers, broccoli, and citrus fruits like strawberries, oranges, grapefruit.
The most common reason for hair damage is the aging of the hair follicles brought about by free radical attack. Surprisingly, as an antioxidant, Vitamin C can actively stabilize the free radicals to reduce hair damage.
Vitamin C adds luster to your hair by enabling your body to form collagen – a vital part of the hair structure. In addition to that, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, which maintains the health of your locks.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is good for not only your bones but your hair as well. When your body has low vitamin D levels, new hair growth can be difficult. Several studies show that female pattern hair loss can be caused by vitamin D deficiency.
Get some sunlight and eat fortified foods and fish to naturally boost your vitamin D levels. And if you are taking vitamin D supplements, pair them up with a meal with healthy fats to improve the vitamin’s absorption.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has a wide range of benefits across the medical spectrum, but it stands most effective in the treatment of skin and hair problems. As we all know, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. The natural antioxidant properties of vitamin E helps to counteract the oxidative stress in the scalp, which often triggers hair loss.
A 2010 medical study discovered that vitamin E supplements promote hair growth among people with alopecia – a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes sudden hair loss.
Vitamin E helps repair dehydrated and damaged hair follicles by thoroughly conditioning the hair from the ends to the roots. It acts as a hair stimulant by providing much-needed moisture to the scalp and improving blood circulation there.
Here are some Vitamin E rich foods :
- Almonds
- Fish
- Sunflower seeds
- Olive Oil
- Avocadoes
Multivitamins
A multivitamin that combines multiple nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, biotin, zinc, and iron in one capsule can actively supply your body with all the essentials in one go. Supplements such as Viviscal and Nutrafol will help raise your hair health.
On the other hand, it’s important to watch your supplements as excess vitamins can get stored in your body and cause other health complications like breakouts. Some vitamins can even worsen your hair loss.
Additional Nutrients that can Help Hair Growth
Iron
Iron plays a vital role in strengthening your hair. Lack of iron results in anemia as iron assists red blood cells in carrying oxygen to the tissues. One of the main symptoms of iron deficiency anemia is hair loss, along with weakness and pale skin.
Older women who have experienced heavy menstrual bleeding all their lives are at a higher risk for developing anemia. You should consider iron supplements if you are a vegetarian or vegan.
Zinc
As a mineral nutrient, zinc stimulates the oil glands around the new and old hair follicles to accelerate hair growth.
Since the body cannot produce zinc on its own, you need to consume zinc supplements or natural sources of zinc like seafood, chickpeas, cashews, and beef.
Studies have found that zinc supplements can reverse hair loss from telogen effluvium – a hair thinning condition caused by stress and trauma.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Being a wholesome source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids replenish your dull hair and skin. It is found in foods such as flaxseeds and walnuts, but for more quick and visible results, you can turn to fish oil supplements.
What Kind of Supplements Should I Buy?
According to scientists, liquid vitamins are absorbed extremely fast by the body in less than five minutes. On the other hand, tablets take up to thirty minutes or more to completely break down in the stomach.
Even though tablets have a long shelf-life and are a better option for immediate consumption, several older adults experience difficulty swallowing them.
Gummies have grown to be the most fun way to get vitamins in your body, but they have a high sugar content which is not suitable for most older adults who have type 2 Diabetes.
Now, you can decide which vitamins would be good for you!
Wrap Up
The efficacy of the vitamins is primarily dependent on the duration of hair loss. The elderly who have lost hair for almost ten to twenty years should not expect to see their hair follicles restored completely.
Vitamins can take up to two to five months to work their magic. You must establish consistent daily routines for taking the vitamins before you can notice a difference in your hair growth.
It’s crucial to have patience as you commit to the supplements instead of expecting overnight results as they take time to develop the storage of vitamins.
Please let us know if you have any more queries on the vitamins that can aid in hair growth. If the information in this guide has helped you or any loved one, do share this with others. If we have missed out on any vital points, leave a comment below with suggestions on how to improve the guide.
