5 Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Hair

Posted by Belgravia Centre Writer

In this article: Hair Loss


Eating a varied, well-balanced diet is vital not only for your body to stay healthy, but for your hair to stay healthy as well. There are some vitamins and minerals which play a key role in the growth of healthy hair, and a diet deficient in these could be the underlying cause of hair loss. We look at 5 essential vitamins and minerals which will help your hair to stay healthy.

Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Hair The Belgravia Centre

1.    Iron


Iron is responsible for carrying oxygen to the hair and is helpful in promoting hair growth. Women who don’t consume lots of red meat and those of child-bearing age are often deficient in iron. It’s important to see your GP if you think you’re anaemic, as taking iron supplements without medical advice can be harmful to your health. The best way to get enough iron in your diet is by eating iron-rich foods such as spinach, chicken, lentils and egg yolks.

2.    Vitamin D


Vitamin D plays a vital role in the cycle of your hair follicles and can also help to treat conditions of the scalp and skin such as eczema. In countries where sunlight is limited, taking a supplement may be beneficial, or eat more vitamin D-rich foods such as grains, mushrooms and salmon.

3.    B-complex vitamins


B vitamins help to nourish your hair follicles; Biotin is a B vitamin which is needed by the body for cell growth deficiency can led to hair loss and in severe cases the loss of eye lashes and eyebrows. The body only needs 100mcg a day, and it’s found in fish, beans and bread.

4.    Selenium


The mineral Selenium controls the functioning of your thyroid gland and if you’re deficient, you may notice slow hair growth. The recommended daily intake is 55mcg a day. Eat Selenium-rich foods such as eggs, meat, fish, nuts, lobster and crab.

5.    Zinc


If you are deficient in zinc, you may notice signs of hair loss. Zinc is needed for DNA replication and the maintenance of hair follicle cell division. Our bodies need between 8mg (women) and 11mg (men) a day. Find zinc in grains, seeds, nuts, beans, animal protein and oysters.

Eating a varied diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables should provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to keep hair healthy. It’s important to contact a hair loss specialist if you are concerned about hair loss, to find out whether the underlying cause is your diet or something else.

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The Belgravia Centre

The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.

View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.

Posted by Belgravia Centre Writer

In this article: Hair Loss