Vitamins, Minerals and Enzymes That Promote Hair Growth

After writing the hub, “Using Antioxdants to fight Wrinkles,” one of my good friend and fellow hubber, tony0724 ask, “You have anything for hair?” Now, how can I refuse such a suggestion, even if it were made in jest? So, Tony, here’s one for you and I know you have hair, alright. If you have thinning hair, bald spots or unhealthy hair, read on. Even if you just suffer from hair-envy, often wishing you have a full head of hair—the kind that turns head and send other people wishing, this is the hub for you.

Healthy hair growth is determined by a number of factors such as genetics, nutrition and general health of your body. While you can’t play with genetics, there are some things you can tweak to help your hair grow healthier. Can specially formulated hair growth pills promote hair growth? There is very little scientific evidence to support these claims. However, there are certain vitamins, minerals and enzymes that may help hair growth.

Before we delve into the subject at hand, let’s take a little detour that can actually help us better understand hair and all its glory.

• Hair is mainly make up of keratin (protein consisting of amino acids) and moisture. It can absorb the equivalent of its own weight in water.
• We have an average of 90,000 to 140,000 hairs on the head.
• It is the second fastest growing tissue in the body, after bone marrow.
• Between 50 to 100 hairs can be lost each day. Thankfully, it is not noticeable unless you lose 50% of the hair on the head.
• Hair loss can be triggered by stress, trauma, sharp changes in diet or hormones.
• Exposing your hair to harsh chemicals, too much sun and unhygienic hair care can also compromise hair health.
• A single hair can support 6 ½ pounds of weight.
• One inch of hair can reveal facts about your behavior. Scientists can uncover what you eat, drank in the last month or the kind of environment you lived just by studying your hair.
• Hair is incredibly strong—it is stronger than copper wire of the same diameter.
• It is also incredibly elastic—it can stretch 30% before snapping.
• Hair growth is measured in phases. The growth phase(anagen) lasts an average of 3 to 5 years. It will then enter the resting stage (catagen), about 2 to 3 weeks. During the final stage (telogen), hair falls out.
• American men spend more than a billion dollars a year fighting hair loss.

Foods that promote hair growth have often been dismissed as more myth than science since studies are often inconclusive, due to the fact that there isn’t a reliable method to measure hair thickness. But given the fact that hair is very responsive to the health of our body, it makes sense that eating healthy foods can swing the odds in our favor. What then are some nutrients that can encourage hair growth?

B Vitamins

There are a number of B vitamins that can promote hair growth, according to Holistic Hair Care. These include B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyroxidine), vitamin B7 (biotin) and vitamin B12. B vitamins can be found in eggs, whole grains, vegetables, meats, fish and dairy. Now, that’s a very big spectrum of foods you can eat.

Biotin

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for cell growth and the production of fatty acids and amino acids. According to Oregon State University, biotin deficiency may result in hair loss. As such, biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and promoting hair growth.

Vitamin E

Natural News pointed out that vitamin E stimulates capillary growth in the scalp. This results in better scalp circulation, which in turns speeds up hair growth. Increase circulation can also prevent split ends and heal damaged hair. Include these vitamin E rich foods in your diet: healthy oils, dark leafy green vegetables, liver, egg and nuts.

Omega-3 Fats

According to Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, essential omega-3 fatty acids support scalp health. A healthy scalp promotes healthy hair growth. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids can result in a dry scalp and as a result, dry and dull hair. Salmon and cold water fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If you don’t like fish, try including a teaspoon or two of ground flaxseeds in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fatty acids.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that doubles up as an antioxidant that promotes hair growth. Other hair-boosting minerals include magnesium, calcium and selenium.

Cysteine

Cysteine forms the most common amino acid in hair, according to Haircare information. Cysteine contains sulfur molecules, which can create chemical bonds to strengthen hair.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is often associated with skin care, but this important enzyme found in fish, meat and vegetables can improve scalp circulation and increases tissue oxygenation. Both these functions help to stimulate hair growth.

Bromelian

Love pineapple? Here's good news. Bromelain is a popular plant enzyme found in many hair care products. It is derived from the common pineapple plant and is commonly used to promote hair growth.

Substance P

According to PubMed, Substance P induced significant hair growth from the telogen (resting stage of hair cycle) to the anlagen (active growth) phase. This same effect is seen in the use of the active ingredient found in red peppers, capsaicin. Capsaicin releases substance P from nerve endings in the skin.

Herbs

In one study, 44% of the people who rubbed thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood essential oils on bald spot had new hair growth. Other herbs include saw palmetto and fenugreek.

Other health hubs by anglnwu:

Health and Beauty Uses for Baking Soda

5 Simple ways to get rid of dull skin

Herbal Cures for Vertigo

Natural Cures for Oral Lichen Planus

Using Antioxidants to fight wrinkles

Ways to prevent aging

Timeless beauty secrets you cannot afford to gloss over

Skin Lightening: Is it Safe?

Castor Oil: Home Remedies for Beauty and Health Purposes