If you’re looking at which vitamins you need to increase hair growth, it’s important to remember that there can be lots of factors at play when it comes to your luscious locks, from seasonal changes to quality of sleep.
Still, as with almost anything health-related, a good, balanced diet is going to be your cornerstone, and it’s worth making sure you’re getting the nutrients your body (and hair) needs.
To help you get a head start, we’ve broken down the important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals you need for hair health (many of which you'll find in our Hair Growth Complex), and some of the foods in which you can find them.
The essential vitamins for faster hair growth and hair health
Vitamin A
Every cell around your body requires vitamin A to grow, and that includes your hair. In fact, hairs are the quickest growing tissue on your body. While deficiency is rare, some studies have shown that vitamin A deficiencies could lead to hair loss.
Thankfully, it’s not difficult to find sources of vitamin A. From carrots to spinach to dairy products, the vitamin can be found in many foods.
Biotin (or vitamin B7/vitamin H)
While there is a lack of data regarding biotin’s effectiveness in regrowing hair, the supplement has been shown to fortify and restructure existing hairs on your head.
Biotin does this by improving the infrastructure of keratin within your body, a basic protein that is crucial for the structure of hair, skin and nails. With a biotin deficiency, hair becomes dry and brittle, and regrowth becomes extremely unlikely.
Eggs and nuts are a good source of biotin. The vitamin is also a part of our full works hair loss treatment plan and can be taken daily to reinforce your hair quality.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a common nutrient deficiency with around 1 in 6 adults in the UK having low levels of vitamin D. This can lead to a series of conditions including rickets, bone pain and disabilities.
Studies have also shown that a deficiency in vitamin D has been linked with hair loss, so building up your body's daily dose of vitamin D should be a top priority. Your body creates vitamin D from the sun’s rays, but it can also be consumed in foods such as fatty fish and a variety of mushrooms.
Iron and vitamin C
Iron is vital for maintaining a high standard of hair health; a deficiency will therefore diminish the standard of hair quality and chances of growth. But more than iron, it’s important to have a source of vitamin C in your diet, which can enhance iron absorption (which is precisely why we include all-natural Acerola Cherry Extract - a fantastic source of Vitamin C – in our Hair Growth Complex).
Magnesium
Magnesium has numerous potential benefits for hair growth, including regulating the natural growth cycle, enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation. All of these advantages promote a thicker, fuller head of hair by stimulating hair follicles and enhancing their development. Seeds, nuts and green leafy vegetables are some good examples of magnesium-rich foods.
Zinc
The anagen stage of the growth cycle - the phase in which new hair grows - is vitally important for guys looking to regrow their hair. Regular consumption of Zinc has been shown to enhance the anagen stage, leading to more new hair strands growing.
Copper
Last but not least for the nutrients part of our list, consuming Copper boosts the production of elastin, a protein that enhances the strength and quality of hair. Collagen production has also been shown to increase when extra copper is ingested.
L-Lysine
Hair shape and volume play an essential part in any hair growth journey. L-Lysine - an amino acid that helps to build protein - can contribute significantly to these benefits, but the body can’t produce it independently. Supplementation can give your body the L-Lysine it needs to thicken hair.
Saw Palmetto
The following are less nutrients, more ingredients that have been shown to support hair health.
Saw Palmetto is a type of spiky palm tree native to parts of southeastern United States. It’s also a natural DHT blocker, which is the hormone proven to cause male pattern hair loss for men with a genetic sensitivity to it. As a result, regularly using Saw Palmetto can lead to a healthier scalp and hair quality.
Marine Collagen
Marine Collagen acts as an antioxidant and removes disruptive pollutants from the hair. It also fortifies follicles and locks hair into its roots, leading to a more robust environment for hair.
Anagain
Anagain is extracted from pea sprouts and is packed with valuable nutrients supportive of hair growth. It’s also an entirely natural and sustainable answer to cultivating a thicker head of hair. Anagain has been found to increase hair growth by up to 78% during the anagen stage.
You can find many of these nutrients and ingredients in our Hair Growth Complex - a expertly formulated blend designed to address hair thinning, enhance growth rate, and improve overall hair quality.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
