Essential Vitamins for Luxurious Hair

I will spare you all a shirtless photo of Fabio and start this post with a little throwback. You can thank me in the comments…

About 3 hair dyes ago I was in Chicago for Lollapalooza with an ex. We stayed with his cousin; the classic, funny, metropolitan woman we all want to become. After some good conversation and a bottle of pinot, she gave dubbed my hair a ‘pelt of luxury’. I may complain about my tangle-prone waves, but this compliment stuck with me like a Facebook inbox virus. Women and men alike tend to draw major self-esteem from our most obvious features. I am certainly no different. The title has been a source of both pride and motivation respectively the last few years. The most damage I have ever done to my hair was going blonde last summer. Although I did have more fun, by December my luscious pelt was looking a bit more like roadkill and I was left looking for some kind of deep-conditioning salvation. If you’re on the road to hair-recovery as well, read on.

Biotin

This is normally the go to for those looking for amazing hair, skin, and nails. Biotin (AKA B-7) is a water-soluble vitamin that supports healthy skin due to its role in fatty acid synthesis and the metabolism. This vitamin has shown improvement in those suffering from thinning hair, brittle nails, and dull skin. This beauty favorite is sadly not naturally-synthesized in our bodies. To get enough B-complex vitamins in your diet try egg yolks, almonds, cauliflower, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, or spinach.

Collagen

Collagen is no joke. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard it referenced as ‘the glue that holds our body together’ and it’s true! Collagen is a big ingredient in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is essentially (and literally!) the structure that holds our cells together. Collagen supplementation can help combat aging, regrow hair, boost bone density, and even improve blood sugar regulation. If you want all these bountiful benefits make sure to add real bone broth, egg whites, spirulina, and citrus fruits to your next grocery trip. Or try adding a scoop of collagen powder to your hot and cold beverages for a quick and flavorless dose of daily collagen.

Vitamin C

It’s not just for cold season people! Vitamin C, already a potent antioxidant, also helps synthesize collagen in the body as well. The addition of vitamin C in the diet can result in brighter complexion, firmer skin, and/or more hydrated skin, but if you don’t believe me you can read the fine print here. Of course you don’t have to eat an orange every day to get this youthful benefits of vitamin C. Stock up on other citrus, guava, kiwi, red and green peppers, broccoli, kale, peas, cauliflower, and mango for your daily dose.

Zinc

This one surprised me, but is one of the best in the book. Zinc, beyond being amazing at leaving terrible tan lines, is one of the best treatments for hair loss as well as the common cold, diarrhea, infertility, and so much more. This vitamin is necessary for the function of over 100 different types of enzymes in our body, but don’t stress! Zinc is found in most things we consume daily. However, if you’re still looking to boost your zinc-intake chow down on oysters, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, wheat germ, beans, or mushrooms.

Vitamin E

Time to get a little science-y. Vitamin E is not as clear a contender as our former mentions, however, it gains ground for it’s protective and healing properties. This fat-soluble nutrient works like an antioxidant, zapping free radicals in the body while also protecting cells. Vitamin E is used far and wide for hair loss prevention, wounds, burns, antiaging, inflammation, and sun damage. The best way to intake more? Stuff your shelves with avocados, cereal, wheat germ, peanuts, eggs, tuna, and more.

While there are a plethora of hair, skin, and nail multivitamins on the market, make sure you choose one that includes these heavy-hitters. It’s also important to follow dosage guidelines and consult your doctor before making any large changes in your diet. Healthy hair IS attainable with the right building blocks and daily care and treatment. I personally choose to take a hair, skin, nails women’s multivitamin daily in addition to regular consumption of bone broth and collagen peptides. While it’s not scientific research, my spirit animal/hairdresser DID say my hair has grown more than average, especially since being bleached. I’ll take it! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Do you have strong feelings about zinc? Maybe you just want to tell me how your commute was this morning or tell me a joke? Drop a line in the comments.