Foods to Eat That Stimulate Hair Growth

Hair growth is based on several things, including genetics, hormone balance, hair care and nutrition. Poor eating habits, alcoholism, zinc deficiency and malnutrition from diseases such as anorexia contribute to poor hair growth. Research now shows that good nutrition can contribute to hair growth and health.

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex is important to hair growth and can be found in brewer's yeast, red meat, fish, eggs, potatoes, bananas, beans and whole grains. Liver is also a good source of certain B vitamins.

Magnesium

Magnesium is another important nutrient for hair growth. It is a mineral that is found in halibut, almonds, cashews, soybeans and spinach. Many Americans have low levels of magnesium, either because they do not eat enough magnesium-rich foods or because of an imbalance of calcium and magnesium in their bodies. This imbalance is usually caused by overconsumption of sugar and processed foods.

Zinc

Zinc is vital to healthy hair growth and is found in foods such as red meat, pork, chicken, beans, yogurt and especially oysters, which contain the highest concentration of the mineral of any food in the U.S. Diet. Six medium oysters provide more than 500 percent of the recommended daily allowance of zinc.
However, too much zinc can affect iron and copper absorption, so, as always, it is important to eat a balanced diet in order to get enough of all important nutrients.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C increases scalp circulation that is important to hair growth, so citrus fruits fruits such as lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit are recommended. In addition, you'll find vitamin C in green peppers, leafy greens, melons, mangoes and papayas.
Dry, brittle hair is often a sign of vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin E

It is also important to consume enough vitamin E, as it works in tandem with vitamin C and is also important to hair growth. Vitamin E increases oxygen intake and improves the health of the immune system, which has an affect on hair growth. Wheat germ oil is the best source of vitamin E, as 1 tablespoon contains the entire recommended daily allowance. It quickly breaks down when exposed to oxygen, however, so it is important to keep caps on oils and keep vitamin-E-rich foods refrigerated. Almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts are all excellent sources of vitamin E.

References

• Holistic Online: Hair Loss, Baldness
• National Institutes of Health: Vitamin B6
• National Institutes of Health: Magnesium

Resources

• National Institutes of Health: Zinc
• National Institutes of Health: Vitamin C
• National Institutes of Health: Vitamin E