When you brush or wash your hair, it's perfectly normal to lose a few strands, as people naturally lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. However, if you're dealing with something more serious, you may be one of 80 million people in the US affected by hair loss or alopecia, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Though hair loss is most commonly a hereditary condition, it can also be caused by underlying health conditions such as a vitamin deficiency. That's why it's important to ensure you're eating a balanced diet full of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. To find out which vitamins are best for hair growth, we’ve outlined them below. Just make sure to consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
What vitamins are best for hair growth?
Vitamins do many amazing things for hair. They can aid in cell growth, prevent free radicals from damaging it, keep it from graying prematurely and nourish the follicles that stimulate growth.
Here are the best vitamins for hair growth and thickness.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates the production of keratin to increase follicle growth. Biotin deficiencies tend to be rare, with those diagnosed with Biotinidase deficiency being the most common. You can find this vitamin in many foods, including eggs, meat, fish, nuts, eggs, sweet potatoes and seeds.
The recommended intake is 30 micrograms for adults daily.
However, one side effect of biotin may be acne breakouts. In this Reddit thread a user posted seeking advice on what vitamins and supplements others use for hair growth, multiple responses have indicated that taking more biotin resulted in acne. Though this may not be the same for everyone, it is something to consider if you do take a biotin supplement. If you do notice more breakouts, then consider one of the other vitamins for healthy hair.
Vitamin A
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