Vitamins and Dietary Supplements For Healthy Hair

As hair thins or gets damaged by environmental elements, we start looking for ways to correct the problems. Most people know at least some about hair care products meant to improve their hair in various ways.

But what about dietary supplements?

These are some of the most effective hair care products because they ensure the hair has everything it needs to form well, and it has the added plus of benefiting your entire body instead of just your hair.

First, just about every vitamin and trace mineral the body needs helps out the hair in some way. You guessed it, this means the first step to healthy hair care is to take a good multi-vitamin to make sure your body is getting all the basics it needs. Be aware that some cheaper brands of vitamins are known to have difficulty digesting properly, and some cheaper gel caps don't dissolve fast enough. Once you're taking that multi-vitamin, there are a few extra supplements you can take that are good for your hair.

Biotin is a major component of hair growth and strength. It is recommended that you take at least 2,500mcg of biotin every day if you're looking to improve your hair, and most multi-vitamins do not contain enough. Luckily, biotin is also sold in pill form by itself or in supplements such as "Hair, Skin and Nails". It is estimated that the average diet provides about 40mcg per day.

It's controversial whether MSM truly has any use as a dietary supplement, though many people swear by it for increasing the growth phase of your hair and decreasing shedding. Many people who take MSM supplements see a marked decrease in shedding, though it is unknown if it is actually because of the MSM or if the claim to lengthen the growth phase is accurate.

Other Supplements

Sulphur and cysteine are required for good hair structure and contribute most of the hair's strength. Cysteine is a protein that comprises much of the hair shaft when it bonds with sulphur. Without a good balance of both of these your hair will be very brittle and unhealthy, so make sure that either your multivitamin has them both or you find additional supplements.

Copper is the base of many pigments in the skin and hair. Only bare traces of copper are needed in the diet, but if there is a deficiency of copper it can result in dull, colorless hair.

Flax seed oil and fish oil are both excellent sources of essential fatty acids which will help promote healthy sebum production. Without enough sebum there is nothing to protect your hair from damage or replenish stripped oils. Either one of these can be used, though many prefer flax seed because of the unfortunate aftertaste that comes from some brands of fish oil capsules. These supplements have the added side effect of preventing dry eyes and "cotton mouth".

In addition, any vitamins that promote cell reproduction, protein metabolism, gland function, digestion and so on directly or indirectly influence your hair. If your hair is not healthy, it will lack the color, shine and strength that it could have with just a little more care to your overall health.