Skip to content
Great strands make a significant difference in your appearance and could also add to a lot of confidence. For some a good set of hair makes them feel that they can rule the world. But that of course comes with a lot of effort and good maintenance. Healthy hair is not always the result of good genes or the right oil. They also need a balanced diet so that the follicles are nourished. This includes all the required nutrients to help your hair develop and grow. There might not be enough evidence to suggest that vitamins might be your chosen remedy for hair health but their deficiency could lead to fairly serious hair health concerns. A balanced diet with a good mix of all vitamins could improve every aspect of your health and not only your hair.
Vitamin B12 supports the production of red blood cells to provide necessary nutrients and oxygen for better growth of your hair follicles. B vitamins help in metabolism and are essential in maintaining the nervous system.
The lower part of the follicle contains the bulb. At the base of the bulb lies the papilla which has blood vessels. They serve as a medium to connect the follicles to the body’s blood supply. Vitamin B12 is important for the production of red blood cells and hence is crucial for hair growth. If you suffer from low vitamin B12 levels you may not be able to grow new hair quickly enough and this may lead to greater hair loss. People with chronic deficiencies might have to take vitamin B12 injections to maintain their levels.
Before you take measures to increase your B12 intake, it would be necessary to undertake a test. The test helps find out if it is indeed the lack of vitamin B12 that is responsible for your hair loss.
Vitamin B12 Foods for Hair
The human body does not produce vitamin B12 and therefore we at Traya suggest a balanced diet vegan diet. The most popular and effective vegan sources of vitamin B12 are B12 supplements and fortified foods. Nutritional yeast marmite and yeast spreads would be a good way to start. Fortified milk substitutes are also very effective in improving your vitamin B12 levels. You can also include vitamin B12-rich fortified cereals as part of your breakfast spread to add to your hair health. There are also some great plant sources of vitamin B12 which have gained considerably in popularity in the recent past.
Fermented soybeans are a beneficial source of vitamin B12 but they are generated only during the fermentation process. .
There are also other sources such as algae, spirulina, and chlorella which also have rich B12 content.
Nori seaweed is also a very popular source of B12 nowadays, but it needs to be consumed raw, as evidence suggests that when nori is dried or cooked its B12 levels lessen considerably.
There are also a number of mushrooms that have good B12 content, cremini mushrooms being a prominent example. Experts however suggest that they should not be consumed as the primary source of vitamin B12.
There are also a number of vitamin B12 supplements that are available but one should start using them only with expert medical supervision.
It is however said that vitamin B12 would not be able to improve hair growth if your body does not have the capacity to use the B12 in your body effectively. If your body is capable of absorbing B12 it will release a special protein that will add to the health of your hair.
However, the thing about vitamins is that they do not work individually on the hair but work along with other vitamins and micronutrients to create those wonderful strands of hair. Deficiency in any of the vitamins could hamper the efficacy of other nutrients in creating your voluminous crown.
Your daily requirement for vitamin B12 differs according to your age. While those above 14 years of age would need 2.4 micrograms, pregnant or breastfeeding women would need 2.6 to 2.8 micrograms.
Vitamin B12 Benefits for Hair
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin which means that the excess unused quantities are automatically excreted by the body. That is why you need to consume the correct amount to avoid B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 helps the body create red blood cells (RBCs). They also ensure that the cells produced are the right shape and size to carry oxygen to the different parts of the body. Oxygen is vital for the healthy growth of hair. A lack of sufficient RBCs can lead to a depletion in the oxygen content and lead to a weak and undernourished scalp. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to dry and brittle hair. B12 supplements can help keep the moisture inside the scalp to add to shine and health.
Vitamins might also help prevent the permanent greying of hair though there have been debates regarding their efficacy in this regard.
Takeaway:
If you are dealing with constant hair breakage and loss, vitamin B12 might just be the right remedy to set you on the road to hair health. But a trip to your medical practitioner is vital before taking that step. This is necessary to ascertain if it is indeed the vitamin B12 deficiency that is responsible for all your hair issues. So whatever the cause of hair problems, a proper diagnosis helps you understand it. With Traya’s free hair test, you can find the root cause of your hair loss and get the most suitable treatment. Traya will provide all the right suggestions for improved hair quality.
FAQs
Does Vitamin B12 Make Your Hair Grow?
Vitamin B12 facilitates the production of red blood cells that are rich in oxygen and provide nutrients for the hair follicles.
How Long Does B12 Take To Work For Hair Growth?
Hair growth is a long-term process and therefore it would take the required amount of time for the effects to show depending on what stage of the hair growth cycle they are in. Each strand of hair requires up to 4 months to appear on the scalp.
Will Hair Grow Back From B12 Deficiency?
Yes, if the cause of your hair loss is Vitamin B12 deficiency, your hair will definitely grow back after the deficiency is treated. Once the vitamin B12 levels are brought back to normal, your hair cells will get the required nutrition to grow healthy hair.
What Vitamin Makes Hair Grow The Fastest?
B vitamins, vitamins D and E, biotin, irons, and zinc are all responsible for enabling faster hair growth. Additionally, they also help in preventing hair breakage and are essential in helping grow thicker hair. Overall, a well-balanced diet helps support healthy hair growth.
