9 essential vitamins to support hair growth

Whether you’re suffering from hair loss or thinning or just want to improve the condition of your hair and get longer, silkier tresses, these vitamins and minerals will help you on your way to Rapunzel-like locks.

Long story short is that there isn’t a magical formula for instant hair growth, but a well-balanced diet topped up with plenty of nutrients that support hair growth will help to improve hair condition over time. A healthy diet contributes to healthy hair, so make sure you’re packing your plate with ingredients rich in these essential vitamins and minerals.

Need a helping hand with hair growth? Check out our hair vits complex gummies for a dose of essential vitamins and minerals in a delicious natural cherry flavour.

Why does hair start thinning?

There are a variety of issues that can cause hair loss or thinning and it’s more common in men as a natural part of the aging process. Factors such as hereditary conditions, hormonal changes, medications, stress and even hairstyles can lead to changes in the condition of your hair. If you’re experiencing hair loss, talk to your doctor about possible causes and treatment options.

Diet undeniably plays a role in the condition of our hair, skin and nails. Deficiencies in certain key vitamins can lead to hair loss or thinning and brittle hair.

Top 9 vitamins to support hair growth

The below vitamins and minerals can support healthy hair and help to protect and promote hair growth when coupled with a varied and balanced diet..

1. Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 is often touted as an essential vitamin for hair growth. It helps the body break down food and turn it into usable energy. It also helps support healthy hair, skin and nail growth. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin. That means it's not stored in your body for long, so you need to replenish your Biotin stores preferably daily. Your body doesn't naturally produce Biotin, however, the bacteria in your gut can produce it. Other foods that are rich in biotin include nuts and seeds, sweet potato, salmon and pork.

Try our tasty hair vits to give you hair a biotin boost.

2. Fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to support cognitive, heart and brain functions, but they also give hair, skin and nails an essential shot of nourishing ingredients. They’re not produced in the body, so we need to make sure we’re topping up our diets with salmon, cod liver oil, chia seeds and flaxseed.

3. Keratin

Probably the most well-recognised ingredient in most hair supplements, keratin is a protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails. It’s a protective protein which makes cells stronger and helps to reduce damage from friction. It also regulates cell size and aids in wound healing. It’s essentially the building blocks of good hair. You can supplement your diet keratin intake through the use of supplements or through keratin-rich foods such as eggs, sunflower seeds, sweet potato, garlic and carrots.

4. Vitamin E

Strengthen your natural defences against illness and infection and help to maintain healthy skin and eyes with a dose of vitamin E. It’s also known to increase scalp circulation, which can encourage hair growth. This fat-soluble antioxidant is also important for boosting shine and elasticity by promoting the protective skin barrier on the scalp and locking in moisture. Up your vitamin E intake through plant oils such as rapeseed, vegetable, sunflower and olive, nuts and seeds and wheatgerm.

5. Vitamin D

You might know that we absorb vitamin D from sunlight and from certain foods, and it’s crucial for bone health, but did you know its connection to hair health? There is some evidence that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to hair loss, as it stimulates new cell growth and helps to create new hair follicles.

In winter when light levels are low, good sources of vitamin D include oily fish, red meat, egg yolks and fortified foods. From around October to early March, most people don’t make enough vitamin D from sunlight alone and may need dietary supplements.

Try our citrussy vitamin D3 gummies for your daily dose of sunshine in a bottle.

6. Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid helps to maintain healthy skin, protect cells and crucially, contributes to the production and synthesis of collagen, the building blocks of keratin and a vital part of hair health. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, which protects the hair from oxidative stress, which has been linked to hair loss. Most people get enough vitamin C from their diet, through foods such as citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli and potatoes.

Our vitamin C gummies are packed with powerful antioxidants and can contribute to collagen formation.

7. Vitamin A

Also known as retinol, vitamin A has various important functions such as helping your vision, keeping your immune system working effectively and keeping your skin healthy. A vitamin A deficiency can lead to damage to the hair follicles among other health issues. Foods like cheese, eggs, oily fish, milk, yogurt and liver are all rich in vitamin A. You can also get a boost through good sources of beta-carotene like yellow fruit like mango and papaya and yellow, red and green leafy veg, which can be converted into retinol.

8. Vitamin B complex

Vitamin B complex refers to eight different types of vitamins which are key for a functioning nervous system, healthy skin and releasing energy from food. Various B vitamins including B6, folate and folic acid and B12 also help in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, enabling hair follicles to generate new hair. You can find these vitamins in eggs, cheese, milk, some fish, leafy greens and some fortified breakfast cereals.

Give our tropical flavoured vitamin B complex gummies a go and top up on all these essential nutrients.

9. Zinc

Zinc is a trace mineral that plays a major role in skin health, cell growth and the function of a healthy immune system. The body doesn’t naturally produce zinc, so we need to obtain it through foods such as nuts and seeds, legumes, shellfish, dairy and eggs, or supplements. A zinc deficiency is rare but can include symptoms like decreased immunity, impaired wound healing, thinning hair, diarrhoea and changes to taste or smell.