Ayurveda believes that if diet and lifestyle are balanced, less efforts are needed to put in externally to promote healthy, longer and lustrous hair.
Do vitamins and minerals really aid in hair growth?
Vitamins and minerals are the essential components that hair follicles need for the proper functioning of hair growth cycle. If the body is deficient in them, then you may experience hair loss.
Ayurvedic view of Vitamins and Minerals:
Unlike modern science, the concept of vitamins and minerals is not found in traditional Ayurveda. However, prakriti based diets are prescribed according to one’s constitution. These diets are found to rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals as defined by modern medical science.
The best Vitamins for Hair Growth are:
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is one of the best anti-oxidant agents. It helps in hair growth by relieving the cells of scalp from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin E also protects the hair from UV radiation by locking the natural moisture of the scalp and hair strands.
- It plays an important role in strengthening the hair follicles by promoting circulation of oxygen.
- Thus, Vitamin E helps in growing hair faster and make them stronger as well.
- Ayurvedic diet consisting Vitamin E:
- Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, soybeans, Almonds, peanuts, avocado, pistachio, kiwi, apricots, mangoes etc.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A secretes sebum so it helps in keeping the skin moisturized because without adequate sebum, the scalp turns dry, itchy and irritated. As a result, hair becomes brittle and starts falling.
- It also enhances the circulation of oxygen from the blood to the follicles, thus promoting healthy hair growth.
- The rich sources of Vitamin A are: Carrots, pumpkin, milk, apricots, mangoes, freshly prepared butter, cow ghee, amaranth leaves etc.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C synthesizes collagen. Collagen is an essential component of the hair structure and it is required for the production of antioxidants which neutralize the free radicals on the scalp.
- It also prevents premature greying of hair.
- Sources of Vitamin C are: Amla, lemon, coriander, pomegranates, grapes, tomatoes (cooked) etc.
- Vitamin B7: Vitamin B7 also known as biotin is essential for the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It breaks down proteins into amino acids, which plays in important role in strengthening of hair.
- It also reverses hair damage caused by application of various chemicals for hair styling, UV radiations, chlorinated water etc.
- Sources of Vitamin B7 are: almonds, sweet potato, cheese, peanuts, avocado, coconut, sunflower seeds, soybean, ripened mangoes etc.
Essential minerals nutrients for hair growth are:
- Iron: Iron is the main component of haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to the hair follicles and lack of iron in the body leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the follicles thus affecting hair growth.
- Iron: Iron is the main component of haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to the hair follicles and lack of iron in the body leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the follicles thus affecting hair growth.
- Sources of Iron include: pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, pomegranate, beet root, soy beans, fenugreek seeds, tofu etc.
- Protein: Hair is a fiber made up of proteins. When there is inadequate protein intake in the diet, the follicles become dormant. Therefore, protein is essential in repairing as well as regrowth of hair tissues.
- Sources of protein are: milk, paneer, yogurt, urad dal, chick peas, sprouts, green peas, lentils, horse gram etc.
- Zinc: The hair loss can be prevented by the addition of zinc in the diet as the production of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone in the body is one of the most common factors for hair loss and low zinc levels in the body lead to the excessive production of DHT hormone. This hormone blocks the nutritional supply to the hair follicles leading to hair loss.
- Diet for zinc: sesame seeds, all kinds of nuts, pumpkin seeds, green beans, lentils, okra, spinach etc.
According to Ayurveda, consuming an appropriate diet based on the dosha levels is recommended.
Hair loss is also linked with some internal conditions related to the liver, pancreas or intestines which need medical attention. In such conditions, just relying on vitamins and minerals is not recommended.
Disclaimer:-
This article is not a substitute to the standard Medical Diagnosis or personalized Ayurvedic Treatment! It is intended only for Information!
For experts consultation, please write us at care@blessayurveda.com.
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