On a daily basis, being able to flaunt thick, sleek and shiny hair is an aspiration we all harbor within. Healthy, well-nourished hair is not just a beauty attribute, but also a reflection of general physical health. The most common obstacles that prevent us from achieving it are factors like age, genetics, hormones, dust, pollution, heat, weather and the use of styling aids and products. While many of these factors are beyond our control, what we eat is certainly in our hands. The best and easiest way to achieve good health and fulfill that dream of fabulous, healthy hair is to have a well-balanced, wholesome and nourishing diet.
Good hair requires a long list of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Protein, iron, zinc, folate, biotin, Vitamin A, C, E and D along with numerous other micro nutrients are essential to maintain the strength, length and texture of hair, protecting it from dryness, dullness and thinning. Consuming a diet that lacks these nutrients can lead to hair loss. On the other hand, eating a balanced diet that has them can help promote hair growth, especially if you’re experiencing hair loss due to poor nutrition. Hair growth supplements are useful to boost hair growth and help you make up for the deficiencies in your diet. While you must work hard to correct your diet, hair growth supplements will ensure you don’t suffer in the meanwhile. Use them wisely and you shall see the difference in your hair health.
Vitamins and minerals through the lens of Ayurveda
Ayurveda views your hair as an external product that results from the internal functioning of your body and the direct offshoot of your bone marrow. Hair is directly linked to two major bodily systems – the nervous and digestive. The scalp and hair are reflections of the balance of bodily forces known as doshas in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic philosophy states that everything is the natural composition of three vital doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. It is the dominant energy that imparts its characteristics (Prakriti) to the human being or food item. The main objective of Ayurvedic science revolves around maintaining a balance in the dosha of an individual. Any imbalance may result in Vikriti (state of disease). Vata dosha causes dryness and dandruff, Pitta dosha reduces the volume and quality of hair by attacking hairlines, size, and colour and Kapha dosha causes wet, sticky or oily dandruff.
Thus, Ayurvedic diets are fundamentally based on the dominant dosha(s) in an individual in order to keep all dosha levels in synergy. Unlike modern science, you may not find the concept of vitamins and minerals in traditional Ayurveda. However, the Prakriti-based diets mentioned in Ayurveda are found to be rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals defined by modern science. The more your diet and lifestyle are balanced, the less effort you need to put in externally for healthy, longer and lustrous hair.
Also read: Ayurveda, Doshas and You
Some important hair growth supplements
While you evaluate and rectify the nutritional deficiencies in your diet, let’s take a look at some hair growth supplements that can be beneficial while you do the needful:
Hair Growth Supplements with Biotin: Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth. It is a water-soluble vitamin and is not stored in the body. If you are truly deficient in biotin, it may cause hair loss and thinning. Though biotin deficiency is rare and you get most of it from your diet. Biotin remains a popular over-the-counter hair growth supplement. It is available in pill/tablet form and also as biotin-enriched hair products. Natural dietary sources of biotin are egg yolks, wheat germ, organ meats, mushrooms, spinach and nuts. The daily supplement dosage is 2-5 mg.
Hair Growth Supplements with Zinc: Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working seamlessly. Finding the right balance between zinc deficiency and excess zinc that causes side effects is vital. Natural dietary sources of zinc include oysters, red meat, pumpkin seeds, beans and lentils, seafood like prawn, crab and lobster, spinach, dairy and soy. The daily supplement dosage is 8-11 mg.
Hair Growth Supplements with Vitamin C: This is a powerful antioxidant that prevents hair damage due to oxidative stress and minimizes premature greying. It also boosts collagen production, making hair thicker, stronger and healthier. Dietary sources rich in Vitamin C are Indian gooseberry (amla), guava and citrus fruits like oranges, peppers, strawberries and lemons.
Hair Growth Supplements with Vitamin D: Vitamin D is effective in stimulating old and new hair follicles, thereby promoting hair growth. Most people are Vitamin D deficient. Though your body mainly produces Vitamin D from the sun’s rays, some dietary sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish, cod liver oil, mushrooms, meats and egg yolks. The ideal daily allowance of Vitamin D is 600-800 IU.
Hair Growth Supplements with Iron: Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells, thereby boosting blood circulation of the scalp and promoting hair growth. Dietary sources of iron are organ meats, seafood like clams and oysters, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, peas and beans along with prunes and raisins. The daily allowance of iron varies with age and gender, usually between 10-15 mg a day. Having hair growth supplements containing iron will also help to increase hemoglobin levels in the blood.
Supplements for hair growth are not always safe
While hair growth supplements may lend a helping hand towards fulfilling your dream of healthy hair, using them does call for caution on your part. Continuing with a poor diet and only having supplements for hair growth will get you nowhere near your ultimate hair goal. On the contrary, it may cause alarming side effects. Some supplements for hair growth may contain ingredients not listed on the labels as well. Hence, you must check the labels carefully and ensure the hair growth supplements you buy are authentic because there isn’t really an FDA-approved standard of ingredients, strengths or formulations across hair vitamin brands, nor are they going to come with any guarantee of desired results in the near future.
However, what’s tried and tested and definitely works is the correct and smart use of hair growth supplements with a balanced, wholesome and nutritious diet. So get the combination of these two things right and watch the jaws drop as you show off that thick, voluminous and lustrous mane.
What does Traya have to offer?
Traya’s Hair Ras - Hair growth supplements that are completely Ayurvedic with natural herbs that balance your Pitta and maintain scalp and hair health. It increases blood flow to hair follicles to nourish them from within. Furthermore, adaptogenic herbs in Hair Ras such as Bhringraj, Shatavari and Ashwagandha help restore hormonal imbalance. Its natural ingredients help improve important elements of your internal health for healthier, stronger and thicker hair.
The 9 natural herbs in Hair Ras and their respective benefits are:
- Bhringraj: Increases blood circulation to the hair roots and boosts hair growth
- Ashwagandha: Targets stress and sleep disturbance
- Amlaki: Improves hair texture and prevents premature greying
- Guduchi: An antioxidant-rich herb that prevents premature aging of hair follicles and premature greying of hair
- Shatavari: Prevents hair damage, helps maintain good scalp health and makes hair shine
- Tapyadi Lauh: Balances the Pitta dosha which is one of the main causes of hair loss
- Shankha Bhasma: An alkaliser that reduces the hair-harming acidic nature of your body
- Shankhpushpi: Alleviates stress levels which results in better hair growth and reduced hair loss
- Arjuna: Increases blood circulation to hair roots helping against any damage done by DHT
Takeaway:
The bottom line is that while supplements for hair growth are an additional help, what primarily works is maintaining the right diet. Supplements like biotin, zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, iron and so on will help boost hair growth. Make an informed decision and choose hair growth supplements with natural ingredients like Traya’s Hair Ras which has natural Ayurvedic supplements for hair growth. Get the magical combination of a wholesome, nutritious diet and correct supplementation right and rest assured of it making your hair thick and strong in no time. Buy Now.
FAQs
Which is the best supplement for hair growth?
Hair growth is not dependent on just one supplement alone. It takes a combination of a number of supplements like proteins, zinc, iron, Vitamins A, C, D and E, biotin and folate, to name a few. Traya’s Hair Ras is one of the best supplements for hair growth as it has natural ingredients which boost hair growth.
Is it bad to take biotin every day?
Biotin is widely found in most food items and does cover the daily requirement. Biotin supplements can cause problems if consumed in excess. Side effects can include skin rashes, digestive issues, problems with insulin release, and kidney problems. Avoid irrational and overuse of any hair growth supplement. It is best to use it when recommended by a health professional in the correct dosage.
How long do hair vitamins take to work?
There is no specific time frame for this. Hair vitamins are an additional help to boost your hair growth. How long it takes to work is very individualistic and depends on a number of factors.
Does Vitamin B12 increase hair growth?
Vitamin B12 promotes healthy hair growth by assisting in the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, which feed hair follicles.
Can Vitamin D help your hair grow?
Vitamin D stimulates hair follicles to grow and hence, when the body does not have enough, the hair may be affected.
