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What Kinds of Nutrients Enhance Hair Growth?

Nutrients provide the foundation for growth of new hair, skin cells and nails. Eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients will enable the body to grow strong and healthy cells. Hair that is strong and shiny, with a natural bounce and volume, helps to enhance an individual's appearance and instill confidence. Healthy hair growth depends on getting sufficient daily quantities of the right nutrients like vitamins, minerals and proteins. Vitamin supplements and a variety of foods rich in vitamins and minerals can help to enhance hair growth.

  1. Foods That Promote Hair Growth

    • Beans, like kidney beans and lentils, are good sources of protein, iron, zinc and biotin, all of which are needed for hair growth. Other good sources of protein include fish, eggs, brewer's yeast, liver, cottage cheese, tofu and yogurt. Iron-rich foods, like eggs, dates, raisins, whole-grain cereals and liver, are great for hair growth as well. Eat green leafy vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard and broccoli. These foods provide the essential vitamins A and C, which help hair follicles produce sebum, the body's natural hair conditioner. Essential fatty acids found in nuts and seeds help in promoting hair growth.

    Multivitamin Supplements

    • Even with a well-rounded diet, a daily multivitamin is necessary because the body might not receive the adequate proportion of vitamins and minerals needed for promoting hair growth. Vitamin E is an antioxidant; it helps to prevent further damage to the body and repairs damage that has occurred. It also improves scalp circulation so that the nutrients reach the hair follicles for a healthier hair growth. Vitamin E also helps to strengthen hair stands. Vitamin C keeps the capillaries that bring the blood to the hair follicles healthy, in turn promoting hair regeneration.

    Egg Yolk

    • The yolk of an egg contains vitamins A, D and E, all essential nutrients needed to nourish hair and stimulate growth. Vitamins A and E help in preventing hair loss and thinning of hair. These vitamins also protect the hair from the harmful effects of pollution, chlorine and UV rays. Beat an egg yolk and apply to damp hair (after washing). When massaged into the scalp and spread over every strand of hair, the yolk penetrates deep into the follicles, adding nutrients to assist in hair growth.

    Exercise

    • Stress causes the body to produce more of the cortisone hormone, which in turn causes hair follicles to stop growing. Exercises that include cardiovascular and aerobic exercise routines can help lower the amount of cortisone present in the body. Exercise also helps to increase the serotonin levels in the brain. In turn, a balanced feeling of well-being is induced, reducing stress and cortisone levels. Exercise can help improve conditions like diabetes that lead to hair loss.

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